Name of Author: J. L. Weaver
Title of Book: London Shadows
Favorite Authors: Diana Wynne-Jones, Seth Grahame-Smith
Bio:When I was a kid I wanted to be a Ghostbuster. Inevitably I got older, married, and had three children. The dream of donning a proton pack, and charging around Hampshire to catch slimers, fell to the wayside... Until I decided I didn't really want to grow up. Now I capture the supernatural between the pages of novels.

"London Shadows"
https://www.wattpad.com/story/11441872-london-shadows-book-1

Can you explain what your book is all about?
Investigative reporters for a paranormal magazine in Victorian London. It's 1872 and séances, gothic horror stories, and afternoon tea are all the rage. Our dark and brooding hero is reporter Freddie Westman, aided by his scruffy servant, Blinks. When his colleague, Jim, disappears, he's tasked with tracking him down. But he's unprepared for Jim's sceptical sister, Sophie. She's intent on helping, whether Westman likes it or not. The journalists at 'Penderry's Bizarre Magazine' find themselves facing a mystery where demons, kidnap, and witchcraft await. And worse still, they might not make it back in time for tea and biscuits.

Who is your target audience - and why?
Teens and adults who are looking for a fast-paced, light-hearted paranormal tale.

What is 'paranormal' about your story?
Demons, witchcraft, séances, haunted buildings, spirits, possession, spells.

Does it contain other genre elements, if so which ones - and why?
Romance, humour, mystery, action and historical. There's a bit of everything in this story. It's set in Victorian England because I'm a history geek. I'm also a sucker for anything spooky with a hint of romance. There's action and magical fantasy because I enjoy scenes that thrill. And as for humour... It's my wish to give readers a laugh.

Tell us about your writing process - how do you get from story idea to a Wattpad published story?
Stories begin as daydreams, and music often inspires scenes in my mind. Once I have enough pieces, I weave them together, filling in the gaps. I always map out the chapters before I start writing, and use a simple but effective diagram. Writing without looking back is hard, but it works. I get everything out and worry about editing later. For me, editing is a fun stage because I can see the world taking shape. When the story is polished to the best of my ability, I find a beta reader who can catch any errors I missed. Then it's time to release the story into the wild and see how it fares.

Did you encounter any challenges when writing, if so - how did you overcome them?
The biggest challenge for me is always plot. It takes a lot of brainwork to come up with a mystery and compelling storyline. Sometimes I'll put the planning aside and go for a walk, do some cleaning, or simply sleep on it. When I come back to the plot with fresh eyes I can usually figure out which direction to take it.

You often hear that 'writing well' is the baseline for success. What does that mean for you?
Writing well means grasping the basics of grammar, understanding structure, and knowing how to keep your readers hooked. I think you've truly mastered the art of writing well when your audience forget they're reading a book.