Author Interview: Lyn Gilleland
Welcome to the first post in my new Author Interview series, where we pull back the curtain on the writing process and get to know the creative minds behind the stories.
Today we’re chatting with Lyn Gilleland, author of Twilight Rain, the first book in the Legacies of Olandris series—a sweeping fantasy filled with ancient artifacts, a collapsing magic system, and a reluctant hero.
We talk about everything from drafting struggles and revision wins to writing snacks and favorite books. Whether you’re deep in the writing trenches or just love hearing how stories come to life, there’s something in here for you.
Now, let’s get to know Lyn!
AUTHOR BACKGROUND
Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
I grew up on a small farm near Austin, TX. My husband and I moved to Tennessee at the end of 2018, and I’ve been pursuing my writing career ever since. I have a wide variety of interests, and though mostly I just write and play D&D these days, in the past I enjoyed everything from scuba diving, to coin collecting, to horseback riding, to graphic and web design (I taught myself HTML back in the day), and the list goes on. I’m still a bit of a gamer and an anime fan. Recently my husband and I welcomed our baby girl to the world, so a lot of things have changed, but it hasn’t stopped Crunchyroll from giving me the “Anime Titan” title. (Yay sleepless nights. Lol.)
How long have you been writing?
It’s difficult to put a number on it. Writing seriously? Probably around the age of 10. When I was younger than that, I would draw pictures and dictate to my mom what I wanted to write. By age 10, though, I was starting to explore creating entirely on my own. Mostly it was anime fanfiction at the time, though I had a few original stories I put together as well.
When I first started school, I attended a small, one-room schoolhouse near where I lived. In 5th grade, my family moved me to a private school in the city. Traffic in Austin was rough, and we had a 45 minute commute to school on average. I began writing stories to read to my mom and brother on the trips to and from school. Sometimes we would take my cousins home after school and my older cousin would read aloud as we went. This was how I ended up writing my first full-length story, a little novella about four house pets (based off me, my older cousin, and a couple of friends).
I discovered Lulu and self-publishing when I was a freshman in high school and begged my family for a computer. My dad and his mom bought me my first laptop, my mom and stepdad bought me a copy of MS Office 2007, and I set to work formatting my first real story, which I published in 2008. I went on to write and publish a fantasy trilogy after.
In college, I found a mentor who was a traditionally published writer and had previously worked as an editor for a publishing house. I asked him to give me feedback on my trilogy and…well…it wasn’t good. He returned the book to me with two printer pages worth of generalized critiques and maybe one line of positives.
I was devastated at first. Pulled all my books off the market. Almost quit. But that’s the funny thing about being a writer. The stories in your head won’t let you quit.
I started again. I wrote my retro fantasy novel Prism World in 2013, and I rewrote the first of my fantasy trilogy in 2015. There have been ups and downs, but I’ve been using what I learned in college ever since.
What else can you tell us about yourself?
The property I grew up on was family land purchased by my great-grandfather during WW2, so at one point my grandparents, great-grandparents, and great-aunt and uncle were all within walking distance, so I come from a pretty close-knit background. Still, I was one of the only kids in the area. My brother was a lot younger than me and my cousins lived in the city, so I spent most of my early years wandering around the farm and entertaining myself with my own stories. When my brother got older and whenever our cousins came to visit, we would grab the little red wagon and play “Oregon Trail,” making laps around our grandparents’ house as we told ourselves stories about our adventures. That’s really where my love of storytelling began.
WRITING
What’s your writing process like?
My process has changed a lot over the years. I started out as a “pantser,” just writing whatever struck me in the moment. Unfortunately, that left me with inconsistent characters and plots that were all over the board.
Now I do a bit of a mix. I usually have an outline I use as a guide (I never stick 100% to the outline), as well as character profiles to remind me of the details when I forget.
Since discovering D&D, I also have developed a system of rolling dice when I’m not sure how a scene should play out. Not sure which character notices the monster first? Roll the dice. Can’t decide if a character likes the soup they were just handed? Roll the dice. Having trouble actually injuring my character in a fight (because my poor brain babies…)? Roll the dice. Discovering D&D mechanics has actually done a world of good for my writing because it keeps me from getting stuck in my habits and makes me think outside the box.
Do you write in order or jump around?
I mean…yes. Lol. I try to write in order, but if a scene comes to me out of order, I write it in a separate document and file it away for later. Sometimes I use those scenes, sometimes I don’t, but they always help me solidify what I want to do with my story.
Do you prefer drafting or revising?
Drafting. 100%. I can be my chaotic little gremlin self during the drafting phase. Revising means I have to actually think about spelling and grammar and what to do about the plot holes I left behind for future me to deal with. Lol.
What part of writing do you enjoy the most and least?
The most? Bringing my imaginary friends to life. The least? Editing. I’ve never found joy in the mechanics of writing. Just the art.
How do you balance writing with the rest of your life?
It can be difficult, especially now as a new mom. My writing now is done when the baby sleeps. I have the luxury of being a stay at home mom in this season of my life, so I don’t have a traditional job to contend with, but household chores do tend to take the backburner sometimes in favor of my writing. That’s the thing about becoming an adult. You spend your time on what matters most to you, and sometimes you have to choose what you’re willing to sacrifice. My daughter and her needs come first. Major chores, second. Anything that’s not bad, just imperfect? Well, life is too short to chase perfection.
What helps you get “unstuck” when a scene isn’t working or you’re stuck in writer’s block?
Usually, the best thing for me is to talk it out. Doesn’t even have to be with someone who understands what you’re talking about. Sometimes, just bouncing ideas off another person can get my mind going in new directions.
What does your revision process look like after you finish a drat?
Typically, I like to print off a physical copy of the first draft. I think better with a pen in my hand, so fixing major errors is easier that way. From there, I like to read the story aloud. Sometimes, I record myself. Hearing it helps me catch things my eyes were autocorrecting. I might do this several times, especially if I’m having to self-edit. And I prefer to go a month or two between runs, because the more distance I have between me and my work, the easier it is to catch errors.
What have you learned about your own writing through the editing process?
I should be word-jailed for abusing certain words and phrases. Lol. I tend to repeat myself when I’m not paying attention to what I write.
Has anything ever surprised you about yourself while you were writing?
I suppose the closest I’ve gotten to that would be accidental symbolism and foreshadowing. Some people think I do things like that on purpose. Most of the time, though, the best I can do is credit my subconscious with being more clever than I am.
Are there any writing books or resources you’ve found especially helpful?
Story by Robert McKee and On Writing by Stephen King have become foundational for me. Story is geared toward scriptwriting, but it has some fantastic tips bringing a fictional world to life. I wouldn’t say I agree with all of Stephen King’s writing advice, but his life story is inspirational. It really shows how important perseverance is for a writer.
What’s one thing you’ve learned about writing or publishing that you’d like to share with other writers?
Learn to take criticism with grace, and remember that you can ALWAYS improve. When my mentor sent my trilogy back without finishing it, accompanied by almost nothing but criticism, I almost quit writing because I thought I could never do any better. But I did. I went on to publish Prism World and a rewrite of The Four Stars. And you know what? As I go back through those moderately well-received books to create updated editions, I find that my writing has only improved since then. I imagine I’ll feel the same about Twilight Rain years down the road, and any other books that follow it.
It’s easy to become hurt or offended by criticism. Writing is such a personal journey that any criticism of your work feels like a personal attack. But if you can learn to take it in stride, to separate criticism of your work from your own identity, not only will it help you navigate a very complex world, it’ll help you see your writing in a new light and find ways to improve what you already have going for you.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Where did the idea for your Legacies of Olandris series come from?
Legacies of Olandris really is a puzzle created with pieces of older ideas. Twilight Rain was inspired by the backstory for the first D&D character I finished a campaign with, but the world is drawn from ideas that can be traced all the way back to 5th grade and, most especially, my lifelong obsession with archaeology. (Thus, the MC of Twilight Rain starts out as an archeologist.) The books I have planned for the series all center around the rise and fall of nations and exploring how the past influences the future.
How long did it take you to draft Twilight Rain?
Drafting was the easy part, if easy is what you want to call it. Twilight Rain was the last NaNoWriMo project I did, and the only one in which I hit the 50k goal. So, while I had been working on it off and on for several months, the majority of it was written in November of 2023.
Did anything surprise you while writing it?
I discovered a great deal about my world while writing it. How the magic works, what societal norms are like, and etc. I can’t say I was surprised by much, but it was fun getting to flesh out concepts that had, to that point, been only vague world building ideas.
Was there a specific scene or character that was especially fun or tough to write?
If I were to choose one, I’d say Col was my favorite character to write. (Gotta love when side characters steal the show.) He wasn’t meant to play as big of a role in the story as he did, but I became fascinated by his witty, mischievous personality.
What do you hope readers take away from your story?
Two things, really. First, anyone can be a hero, even when they’re scared. As someone who has lived their life afraid of the what-ifs, I wrote this story as much for me as for anyone. And second, make good on the time you have with the people you care about.
I don’t want to give away too many spoilers, but there is a reason I chose to make so many humans important to the story of my elvin archaeologist. This book was written in honor of a family friend and father figure who passed away when I was in high school. He ended up in the hospital. I hate hospitals and only visited him once, promising to read my stories to him when he got home. He never came home.
Life can be fragile. People you think you’ll have around forever suddenly aren’t there. And that’s why Aeva’s friendship with the short-lived human characters in her life is so impactful to me. It reminds me to make the most of what I have while I have it, and I want to pass that lesson on to others so that maybe I can spare someone else the pain of the regret I have felt over the years.
If you could describe your book in three words, what would they be?
You’re asking a fantasy novelist to be succinct. Lol. Hmm…in three words…maybe, “Courage is trying.”
Is there anything you can share about the sequel you’re currently drafting?
The sequel picks up 74 years after Twilight Rain and centers around how Aeva is handling what happens at the end of the first book. There are a few cameos so far from previous characters, but mostly the story centers around a new rag-tag band of misfits who become a found family as they get caught up in a race to save the world from impending darkness. Also, Andhera is back and giving Aeva grief, so expect to see that conflict come to a head in this second half of the duology.
JUST FOR FUN
Favorite writing snack?
Does coffee count? Lol. If I has to be food, probably chocolate. Now that I think of it, I really do like my caffeine. Lol.
Playlist or silence while writing?
Depends on my mood. I do have an instrumental playlist I often write to (look up Blue Turtle on YouTube; they have the best compilations for concentration that I’ve ever found). If I really get in the zone though, I forget about music entirely and often end up writing in silence.
Pen and paper or digital all the way?
Both. Most of my writing these days is digital, but if I’m trying to work out a particular snag, I’ll still break out pen and paper because technically I think better that way.
Morning writer or night owl?
Usually late morning, but I’ll write whenever the mood strikes.
Favorite book?
That feels like an unfair question for someone who loves books. Lol. Sarcasm aside, probably The Hobbit tops my list, if for no other reason than it’s one of the only books I’ve read more than once.
One author (living or dead) you’d love to have coffee/tea with?
Tolkien, the father of modern fantasy. Not only was he a deeply intellectual person, but I hear he was quite the mischief maker too. I imagine he would have been a fascinating person to chat with.
LOOKING AHEAD
What’s next for you as a writer?
My main focus is working on the sequel to Twilight Rain, but I’ve got quite a few other projects on the side. I’m in the process of rewriting my old books, if for no other reason than to be able to give those stories to my daughter. I’m also planning on doing a serial that I’ll publish through the subscription version of my newsletter. (Haven’t decided exactly which idea to do first but either way, the goal is cozy fantasy.) Oh, and I’m working on an unrelated book inspired by an old Skyrim fanfic I wrote back in college.
Anything else you’d like to share with readers?
I’m always looking for beta and ARC readers, so if anyone is interested, look for links to the sign-up forms on the About page of my website.
Where can readers follow you or find your work online?
The easiest way is on my website at lyngilleland.com. I have links to all my books there, as well as info such as POV and content warnings for those who have specific tastes and aren’t sure if my books are for them. I’m also active on Threads and occasionally Instagram and Facebook if readers prefer a social media outlet, and I’ve started up an email newsletter on Substack if readers want to stay up to date with my progress.
Thanks so much to Lyn for sharing her journey with us!
I hope her reflections offered a little inspiration—and a reminder that every writing path is valid.
If you enjoyed this behind-the-scenes peek, give Twilight Rain a read, and be sure to follow Lyn to see what she’s conjuring up next.
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