Inside The Indie Author: A Conversation with Liz Bullard
- Diana Kathryn
- Aug 30
- 6 min read

Have you ever considered writing under a pseudonym, and why or why not?
I have never considered writing under a pseudonym. I’ve always wanted to be known for my work, plus I didn’t think I had the brain capacity to manage dual identities correctly during an interview.
What is your “go-to” method for working through or around writer’s block?
I always say treat writer’s block like a symptom. If I’m having a hard time writing or creating, I ask myself why. I explore what other factors might be contributing to it. Sometimes it’s because I’m putting too much pressure on myself; other times it might be mental or physical fatigue. So, I take care of the symptoms causing the block.
From your perspective, what are the most important elements of good writing?
I think good writing starts with good characters. If you have believable, entertaining characters, readers will follow them anywhere. Having a unique voice is also essential — we all have one. It’s about what you want to say through your specific experience and style. If you combine a unique voice with great characters, you naturally get a compelling story.
What comes first – the location, the plot, or the characters – and why?
It depends on the story and the prompt. Sometimes I immediately know the character but have no idea about the rest. Other times, like with my Prophecy Trilogy: Portal, I saw a man and a woman in front of a portal, which made the location clear first. So it really depends on how the story wants to reveal itself.
What are your least favorite and most favorite things about publishing a book?
I’m learning to accept that I hate the first draft. I can never get the story down as fast as I see it in my head. The editing process is really fun for me because that’s when you refine the story and make all the pieces fit together. I get really excited when it’s time for editing.
What is a significant way your book changed from the first to the final draft?The Prophecy Trilogy series is a great example. Portal was the first book I wrote, but it ended up being book two because during editing I realized we needed origin stories and background information for everything to make sense. It showed me that it’s okay for a story to change drastically and that taking feedback constructively is important.
What was the inspiration for your most recent book?
Interestingly, my most recent inspiration came from a dream. The Lira Somers Mystery Series is about a character who has dreams about people in need. I had a dream about a woman who kept seeing a man she couldn’t identify, which was driving her crazy. She talked to her therapist who didn’t believe her. I was struck by how upset she was. I put the story aside and came back to it about a year later.
What is a “darling” you’ve killed in a book that you’d like to resurrect in a future book?
I haven’t killed any darlings, yet. I tend to keep all the characters I enjoy alive. There’s one character I am considering killing off, but I’m not sure if that’s the right move yet — so to be continued.
Where are your most productive writing spaces, and what elements are important about that space to keep you focused on writing?
Especially during spring, when the sun is up at 5:30 am, that’s when I’m most productive. I usually wake up around that time, do 10–15 minutes of exercise, grab my tea, and then write for a couple of hours. It’s great to get words down early so I can keep going if I have enough energy later in the day.
If you were to give one of your side characters a novella of their own, who would it be, and why do you think they need their own story?
I want to give Detective Tomas Heinz and Toya their own novella or even a little series. They have stories to tell, especially as my main series grows. Let’s see if they start talking to me about their adventures!
What risks have you taken with your writing that made the book better?
Immediately, Lira (Sleeping Beauty) comes to mind. I had a street team for this novel, and some early readers thought Lira was too mean. I took a risk and stuck with her character because I believed in her. In the end, I kept her brashness, and think she contrast well with the sweet detective who isn’t afraid of her harshness.
What’s the best monetary investment you’ve ever made with regard to your writing practice?
Books! The best investment writers can make is in reading everything. Read outside your genre, read different authors, it helps you figure out what you like and don’t like in writing and inspires you to push yourself creatively.
When you first began writing, what was a common procrastination trap you encountered, and how did you overcome it?
I’m still a huge procrastinator! What helps me are deadlines and accountability obligations, like when readers ask about the next book is coming out or when I set pre-orders, it pushes me to meet those goals because I don’t want to let people down. When avoidance is really bad, I tell myself to write just five minutes. Breaking it into small chunks makes it easier than facing all the words at once. Often, I end up writing more than five minutes anyway.
What is your writing software of choice, and what is its best feature?
I bounce between Scrivener and Living Writer. Scrivener is simple and not overstimulating—you can write out of order easily, which suits my fantasy series well. For my mystery series, where there are more characters and details to track, I prefer Living Writer because it has a prettier layout and lets me see my character list and notes all in one place at the same time.
Do characters’ names come immediately to you? Do you add them in a final draft? Where do you find names, and how do you make a final decision about the names you’ll use?
Character names can come at any point and often change frequently. Sometimes I feel another name flows better phonetically or fits better symbolically as I write through the novel. It’s like cooking—sometimes something else is needed. Sometimes I discover what a name should mean only after seeing the bigger impact I want for the story.
Tell us one the title of one of your favorite novels, and why this book is a favorite.
Number one has to be Heartbeat by Terreece M. Clarke; she’s a fellow indie author. This novel was the first time I felt truly seen as a Black woman. I remember reading it while braiding my hair in bed—the character was doing the same thing—and I had never had that experience before. It reminded me of how powerful authors are in making people feel seen and heard. That awareness guides me in bringing culture and inclusion into my writing.
Other favorites include the Alex Cross series for its pacing—it helped quiet my busy mind—and the Stephanie Plum series because the characters are unforgettable. Even if I forget plots, those characters stick with me.
What are you reading right now?
This is fun because I’m on James Patterson’s street team! He publishes so much every year. Currently, I'm working through several advanced copies: Emma on Fire, which is YA about an 18-year-old wanting to burn herself alive—we learn why throughout the story; plus The Idaho Four, Billion Dollar Ransom, and Disrupt Everything.
Tell us a little something about your current WIP. When do you expect it to be released?
My current WIP is Prophecy Trilogy: Eclipse, expected to be released October 17. The chosen one is the focal point of this series, however, it’s really turning out to be Talia’s story. She’s a water warrioress, wife to Eli, and mother of four. We see family dynamics play out amid growing chaos while exploring themes of loss and how to pick up the pieces after hardship. While this is fantasy with battles, there’s much more depth beneath the surface.
What are the titles and genres of each book you’ve written?
The Prophecy Series are fantasy novels with elemental magic:
Head Rush
New Moon
Portal
Snow Fall
Eclipse
Lira Somers is my mystery series:
Sleeping Beauty
Chasing Nightmares
I also have a creative nonfiction workbook (Fuel Your Creative Mindset) focused on improving creativity and mental wellness.
How can readers find you? Website, social media, amazon author page… share all the links!
@LizBullardWrites Facebook | Instagram | Threads | TikTok
https://fable.co/lizbullardwrites-568467772727 Fable Bookclub app
https://www.amazon.com/stores/Liz-Bullard/author/B0B4ZJYJ15 Amazon author page
https://www.bookbub.com/profile/liz-bullard BookBub author page
https://liz-bullard-writes.kit.com/bd27dfb665 Newsletter Sign up
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