A Little Something about Aura Bud
A 20-year-old self-published author whose journey unexpectedly began on the Chapters app and Wattpad. Aura's head is always developing short stories. Instead of them filling only her own imagination, she hopes that by sharing her passion for writing, others will get to experience and enjoy her work.
Questions and Answers:
1- What made you want to be an author?
I was never planning to be an author, until I kept reading books and never liked the way they were written or the way they ended, so I took things into my own hands and wrote my own book
2- Typically, what was the timeframe it took you to write your books?
Diablous King took me around six months, Diabla Queen Part 1 took a little less than that. It just depends on how inspired I am.
3- Are you a planner or pantser?
I think I'm a little of both, I try planning out the main events in my books, and just write. But sometimes I get better ideas while writing and throw all my plans out of the window.
4- What would you say is your unique writing style?
I try to include something about myself in my books, whether it's the sarcasm or the anxiety my characters portrait.
5- Whether it be traditional, self, or story book apps. How did you find the publishing process?
I had help from a dear author friend, she was super patient with all my questions when I was going through publishing my book. Without her, I would be bald right now.
6- How much of your process includes doing research into your subject matter or plot?
I try making the books as accurate as possible, so I do research. I think I'd be locked up in prison if someone checked my research history.
7- How old were you when you first discovered your passion for writing?
I had just turned eighteen when I started writing on chapters app and Wattpad.
8- When you’re not writing, what do you enjoy doing with your time?
I love listening to music, love spending my money on buying more books (a very bad habit), and my favorite hobby is making book covers.
9- Is your family supportive?
Embarrassingly so, they bought my book without me knowing and told me to sign it. But I love them and appreciate that they have been super supportive.
10- What was one of the most surprising things you learned about yourself in creating your books (characters, location, plot)?
That I am capable of more than I can imagine, I have a habit of letting my anxiety take over my thoughts and then I want to give up. But I have found out that if I set myself a goal, I push forward through my anxiety and fear and go for things I want in life.
11- What is your favorite component about the genre you write?
The suspense, the action. Me knowing how the books will end and having my readers think the opposite of what it is.
12- What advice would you give to help others become writers?
Write for yourself.
13- Do you hear from your readers much? What kinds of things do they say?
I had written and published my books when everyone was in quarantine, people were either alone, or they needed to escape reality. My readers say that my books have helped them escape reality or connect to the characters in my books. I have the sweetest readers whom I connect with every day.
14- Do you like to create books for your target audience?
I just love writing in general. I don't think I have a specific audience, because not only do I write mafia, but also paranormal.
15- What pulls you in about a book? Do you read a book based on the cover or the summary?
Usually, the first thing I see is the cover, but the blurb is what gets my attention. But I think both are as equally important.
16- How do you handle writer's block and what do you tell other aspiring authors who may be fighting or fearful about hitting that wall?
Whenever I hit a wall and have no idea what to write, I usually listen to music. Or watch a movie to get some inspiration. For others it might not work, so I would suggest just writing. It might sound stupid, but sometimes the best ideas come to you when you have no clue with what you're doing.
Final Note:
Aura is another author I am intrigued by. I cannot wait to read both her books and many more of them. She writes in a style that I could only dream of delving into. But I am afraid I will never get to that level of darkness. All in a good, envious way of course. You will be hearing great things about this writer, mark my words. She is a talented young woman and deserves more acknowledgement.