Around the Fire with Debut Author, Chelsey M. Ortega.

Thank you all for joining me Around the Fire. Today’s guest I met via our mutual publisher, The Wild Rose Press. I’m excited to bring this debut author to you. Welcome, Chelsey! I hear you are a Diet Dr. Pepper fan. My hubby is too. But since you also love a hot chocolate and it’s a bit chilly today, I’m going to mix up a batch while you introduce yourself.
Thanks for having me, Donna. My name is Chelsey, and I am a mom and teacher who often forgets she’s no longer eighteen - that’s probably why I write YA and New Adult.
 
Here you go, a steaming cup of chocolatey goodness. I love Young Adult and New Adult. There's something about the storytelling and world-building that appeals to me. Tell us more about you.
I am an amateur baker. I love baking desserts for family Sunday dinners. I also pour my heart into three birthday cakes a year: my children’s, of course. Out of all the cakes I’ve made over the past decade, I’m the most proud of a unicorn cake I made for one of my daughter’s fourth birthday, and a Minnie Mouse cake I made for my other daughter’s second birthday. Since starting my full-time teaching career three years ago, free time to bake has decreased. But I always try to make an effort during the fall because I always want to make pumpkin cookies, a pumpkin poke cake I found on Pinterest, and pumpkin cheesecake.
My deep love is ballroom dance. I competed and performed for ten years in my youth. My dream was to travel the world on Brigham Young University’s tour company in college, then become a pro on Dancing with the Stars. That obviously didn’t happen, but I still enjoy watching it. And I’m living vicariously through two of my characters who are professional ballroom dancers.
 
**Note to other guests: Pictures of Chelsey's cakes and dancing are below.**
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​Recently my kitchen was renovated and I’m rediscovering the joy of baking, especially bread. The pumping cookies sound delish. Ballroom dancing is beautiful, the grace and athleticism is awe inspiring. What do you like to read when you get the chance?
As a reader I read all sorts of genres. My favorites are fantasy, romance, historical fiction, biographies and memoirs. When it comes to inspiration for my own writing, the Harry Potter series, Beautiful Creatures series, Witches of East End series, and Vampire Diaries series all inspired my world-building. Rachel Hollis’ self-help inspirational books convinced me to even try writing and send my book out to publishers. Right now, I really look up to Helen C. Johannes and Sarah J. Maas. All of my published and unpublished fiction takes place in modern-day America. I would love to try my hand at creating a completely new land with its own history, culture, etc. That kind of world-building is something I aspire to.
 
Well with your first book under your belt and published, I’m sure you’ll attain your dreams. Most of us have a support or supporters that we can’t imaging being without. Who are your cheerleaders?
My family has been so supportive of my writing journey. I was really surprised when my husband jumped on board right away when I started writing fiction. I’ve been blogging for ten years, and he hasn’t been a fan - but he hasn’t stopped me. He’s very private and doesn’t want “the world to know our business.” But writing fiction? He wants the world to read my stories. I’ve learned that I’m very lucky in that aspect. One webinar I attended, the presenter said that close to 50% of writers she interacts with have unsupportive partners! I think that is so sad. If you love someone, you should support their dreams and aspirations. My parents have been supportive in taking care of my kids when I have an editing deadline or an in-person event. I love my family so much and am so grateful for their support. My very first book, Bondwitch, released two days ago; and I couldn’t have done it without my family’s support.
  
My husband, Pete, is my rock. He’s the first reader of my books. He also brags about me and has handed out more bookmarks to strangers than I can count. I call him my gorilla marketer. I’m so glad your DH has your back. Tell me, what’s your little corner of the world like?
My neighborhood is a hidden gem in our town. It rests between the businesses on Main Street and the train tracks and farmland behind that. There is a park around the corner, and I enjoy working in my garden when the weather is nice. I grow strawberries, raspberries, cantaloupe, zucchini, yellow squash, cucumbers, green beans, and carrots. I gave pumpkins a shot, but my garden is too small. I’ll just buy from the local farmers in the future.
 
Let’s chat about the craft. What are the most important websites, podcasts, or programs for writers to subscribe to?
The most important thing you can do is find some type of advice/critique/support group. On Facebook, I’m part of the ProWritingAid community. There is the main group and three sub-groups: Fantasy Writers’ Fellowship, Romance Writers’ Group, Crime Writers. I’m in the main group, and the fantasy and romance groups. I’m also a member of the Nebo Novelists, a chapter of the League of Utah Writers. We meet twice a month, read excerpts, and provide comments. It’s really fun. I’ve met a lot of talented local authors.
I’m also subscribed to “Hello Future Me” on YouTube. The host, Tim Hickson, makes lots of videos about writing.
 
I had to edit a whole chapter out of Rock House Grill. What did you edit out of this book?
One major thing, and one minor thing. In a very early draft, Marianna was the main antagonist. As I wrote and got to know her, she wasn’t working as an antagonist. So, I tried to work the beginnings of a redemption arc; but even that wasn’t working. So, I rewrote the beginning, making Marianna a secondary protagonist.
I used to have a scene where Annamaria and Marianna use magic to talk to their dead parents. It was purely meant to be a relationship building moment. But as I plotted the remaining books, I realized being able to talk to the dead just opened up a can of worms. The dead could just solve all the mysteries and problems by being able to see everything and relay the information to the main characters. So, I took that magical ability away.
 
Do you want each book to stand on its own, or are you trying to build a body of work with connections between each book?
Bondwitch is the first of a series that will need to be read in order. Back when I was preparing to query, I read that new authors should advertise their book as a stand-alone with series potential - or at the very least, the first book should end complete and resolved. There was no way I could make Bondwitch end truly complete. The main plot does get resolved, but it’s clear there’s more to come.
 
What was your hardest scene to write?
Fight scenes. Always fight scenes. Giving the reader the perfect visual and sensory experience is very difficult for me.
 
If my neighbors peeked in my window, they’d think I’m crazy. I have swords and pretend I’m fighting. I’ll also stand with my eyes closed and imagine the scene. Do you Google yourself?
Yes, twice. The first time was when I was applying to teaching positions. I wanted to know what my potential bosses would see if they chose to Google me. My social medias showed up first, and another Chelsey Ortega. I wasn’t concerned because it was obvious which Chelsey Ortega they should be looking at.
The second time was when I was trying to figure out what I wanted my author name to be. Chelsey Ortega? Chelsey Mae Ortega? Chelsey M. Ortega? C.M. Ortega? Turns out there are a lot more Chelsey/ea Ortegas online than when I was applying for teaching jobs. So I threw in my middle initial, and that narrowed things down quite nicely. And I’m glad. I’m very proud of my middle name. My great-grandma, my grandma, myself, and my oldest daughter all share that middle name.
And because I was asked this question, I just Googled myself for a third time. The top results are still my socials, plus a few review sites like Goodreads and Readers’ Favorite.
 
Do you have a particular object, like a piece of jewelry or a keepsake? Can you tell us what makes it special to you?
I have a wooden wand necklace I got about five or six years ago from an Etsy shop. The creator is a Canadian carpenter who sells wooden toys on Etsy. He has a small collection of wand necklaces. I’m a huge Harry Potter fan, and have wanted a wand necklace for years, but I didn’t want a character wand. I wanted my wand. I’m not big into jewelry, but I wear this necklace everyday along with my wedding ring, and a pair of earrings.
 
If you could only choose one song to play every time you walked into a room for the rest of your life, what would it be?
I’m choosing to answer this question because my administration made me choose a “walk-up song” for our faculty retreat in August, so I already have one ready to go. Levitating by Dua Lipa. That song is a Samba, and I really want to choreograph a Samba to it. I also just really enjoy the fantastical elements to the lyrics.
 
Chelsey, by the way I have a niece with the same name and spelling, thank you for spending time Around the Fire with me. You’re a fun person with a great outlook. I love your TikToks. Before you head off, will you leave us information about your book and where we can learn more about it and you? 

Bondwitch
by
Chelsey M. Ortega
Teen and Young Adult Paranormal Romance
Released October 16, 2023
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About
Eighteen-year-old Annamaria Lyons has never left her small hometown of Harrison, Wyoming. She has lived with her aunt, Trinity, since her parents died when she was two years old. Trinity has been a wonderful guardian with one exception—she won’t allow Annamaria out of the house after sunset. That is, until the night of senior prom. Annamaria’s long-lost sister arrives, bringing with her a world full of hidden family secrets and the supernatural. 
Forced to flee her childhood home without a proper goodbye to her human life and first love, Annamaria immerses herself in the magical world. New friends and a new suitor challenge her original dreams for the future, and when she finds herself caught in the middle of a centuries-old conflict, Annamaria must decide to rise above it or give in to the darkness.
Grab your copy today!
https://www.amazon.com/Bondwitch-Chelsey-M-Ortega-ebook/dp/B0CF6H8NYC
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/books/1143894193?ean=9781509251940
 
What others are saying.
"Chelsey M. Ortega has crafted an excited new YA filled with suspense, mystery, and a sense of magical discovery...immersing readers in a richly imagined realm of magic and intrigue that is more than just visual but multi-sensory in the experience, waking up all corners of the imagination” - Readers’ Favorite

www.chelseymortega.com 

More about the author.
Chelsey M. Ortega is a teacher by day and award-winning author by night. History is her first love, and any story involving magic and romance, her second love. She especially loves witches and is still awaiting her acceptance letter to a well-known school. Chelsey received her Bachelor’s in History Teaching from Brigham Young University. In addition to writing, Chelsey teaches high school U.S. History and ELD. She lives in Utah with her husband, three children, and two cats.
Follow Chelsey at www.chelseymortega.com.

Don't forget! This weekend is the Big Event. It even made The Boston Globe! Check it out.
www.bostonglobe.com/2023/10/15/arts/readers-are-invited-fall-love-with-romance-marlborough-book-conference/