This week I am thrilled to have Raven Markov on my blog for an author spotlight!
Raven Markov writes faith-based fiction for young adults, and contrary to what many may think, English is her first language. She was born in San Francisco, California, but was raised everywhere and nowhere.
After completing high school at the age of sixteen, Raven studied with the Israel Institute of Biblical Studies by the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Her hobbies include doing debatably stupid things to photograph something and eating pickles. Despite being bitten by several snakes and spiders, to her disappointment, Raven has not developed any superpowers (yet).
When Raven isn’t writing, she can be found with a copious amount of caffeine in one hand and a paintbrush in the other.
First off, welcome to my blog. It’s so great to have you here!
It’s great to be here, thanks for having me!
What first sparked your passion for storytelling, and how has your journey as a writer evolved over time?
When I was younger, I devoured every book I could get my hands on. The love of reading naturally transformed into a love for writing when I was about eleven years old. Over time, I’ve become more comfortable with my writing style and learned how to lean into that.
Do you have a favorite Bible verse or passage that has guided your writing or life journey?
“He has told you, mortal one, what is good;
And what does the Lord require of you
But to do justice, to love kindness,
And to walk humbly with your God?” Micah 6:8
Who are some of your favorite Christian authors, and how have they influenced your work?
CS Lewis, RS Ingermanson, Kya Rayne, and Kathryn Jordan. I would say it was RS Ingermanson who showed me it was possible to combine all your passions and interests—no matter how random—into one story.
If you could collaborate with any Christian author, living or deceased, who would it be and why?
Oh, that’s a hard question. I know too many favorite indie authors I’d love to collaborate with.
What’s your favorite scene or moment in the book, and why does it hold special meaning for you?
Probably the scene in the cabin after Samuel and Shiloh escape, because not only are they free from the CDO but Samuel becomes a believer and it was one of my favorite parts to write.
Are there any surprising lessons or revelations you discovered about yourself or your faith through the writing process?
Writing a character like Shiloh showed me how to better understand my faith walk through the lens of someone very imperfect and how God can still use broken and flawed individuals to achieve His impossible things.
How do you incorporate prayer or spiritual reflection into your writing routine?
Let’s just say I pray about anything and everything when it comes to my writing. Even down to what line spacing or font to use in formatting paperbacks.
Which characters are you most alike? Are there any that are the exact opposite of you?
There are pieces of myself in all the characters, but I would say I’m most like Shiloh and least like Grey.
What was something interesting you found in your research for this series?
Just how different life is on Ross Island, Antarctica haha. I’m also a huge genomics nerd so I really enjoyed researching genetic defects and cures for Shiloh and Samuel as well.
Do you plan to write spinoff books for any characters?
I *may* someday write a prequel about Shiloh’s life before she escaped the CDO the first time. Potentially.
Shiloh is a very sarcastic character. Most authors write main characters that are a little like them. Would you say that she is more or less sarcastic than you?
I would say Shiloh is about as sarcastic as I am. Sometimes my sarcasm goes unnoticed or unappreciated in real life so my jokes get a second chance at life in my books.
Was there any time when you had a totally different idea for how things might end?
Initiation was originally supposed to be a standalone, so yes. Most certainly. But after I finished writing it, I knew I was supposed to continue the story. And I’m so glad I did.
How do you celebrate the completion of a book, and what does that milestone mean to you?
I don’t feel like it would be much of a surprise to anyone that I typically get a celebratory coffee. Sometimes it feels like a great accomplishment to finish a book, but other times, like completing the Initiation series, I was honestly so sad to say goodbye to these characters.
What advice would you give to aspiring authors who are just starting out?
Don’t be afraid to be yourself. Be goofy, be weird, be unhinged, have fun, and always write for an audience of One.
Lastly, before you go…Can you talk about any upcoming projects or books you’re working on?
Yes! “The Murphy Experiment” is the next book I’m releasing (relatively soon, I might add). If you like genome-modifying viruses, sarcasm, figure skating, loads of action, and a cast of quirky characters, it might be up your alley.
