1. For readers discovering you for the first time, can you introduce yourself and tell us a little about your journey into becoming an author? 

Yes, hello! My name is Madi, and I’ve been writing since I was old enough to spell enough words to actually put a story together that made sense (for the most part lol). When I was thirteen, I started writing for Wattpad (don’t tell my mom), and I discovered how much I love telling stories! From then on, I wrote every second I could. I wrote endless stories for my friends (a little self-inserted fan-fic if you will) and made up new ideas all the time. When I became an adult, I knew I wanted to be a published author. I wrote a book (a terrible fantasy novel that will never see the light of day haha) and then wrote another one! Two more books later, and With Love, Thea came around! When I finished it, I knew it would be the first book I published. 

2. Your debut novel With Love, Thea explores themes of love and loss. What inspired the story?

With Love, Thea is inspired by my brother-in-law Dan who passed away when I was fifteen. He was always a really big support to me in a time when I felt like my life was all over the place. He once saw me writing and asked if I ever wanted to publish a book. I told him yes and he told me that I would be a great author someday. That really stuck with me. After he took his own life a few weeks later, my life changed forever. Even now, fifteen years later, his support stays with me and I’ve always known that I wanted to dedicate my first book to him and the journey of finding love and happiness once you’ve experienced great loss. 

3. Writing about grief can be deeply emotional. What was the experience like for you while writing this book?

It was honestly really amazing and healing. Ironically, I’m not a super in touch with my emotions girl. So I was shocked when it felt so easy to write Thea’s emotions. My therapist says it’s the way I get my feelings out, and I agree. The whole process really helped me and even when it was difficult, I was grateful for it. There’s so little closure with suicide, so this brought me some. 

4. The story touches on the difficult subject of suicide and the impact it has on loved ones. Why was it important for you to tell this story?

It was important for me because of how taboo the topic of suicide can be. After I lost my brother, it felt a little like I couldn’t talk about it much because it made people uncomfortable. I don’t want anyone else to ever feel that way. Suicide happens and it’s very difficult. I just wanted to make sure people knew that they weren’t alone and it’s always okay to talk about it. 

5. You’ve shared that reading has helped you through difficult moments in life. How did books shape your desire to write stories that might help others?

Books have always been my life. Before I could read, I would make up my own words to the pictures in books. When I got a bit older, and read the first book that changed my life, I knew I wanted to do that. There’s just something so amazing about being able to create characters and a world that means something to someone else. And when you find that one book out of millions that feels like it was written just for you, that’s an incredible feeling and I would love to create that for someone one day. 

6. The combination of romance and grief is powerful. How did you balance those emotional elements in the story?

Yeah, that was definitely the hardest part of writing the book. I think talking the plot out 6000 times to my friends helped. Also my editor. She was able to take a story that was good and make it something really special. 

Overall, I think it was just knowing that Thea could feel such heavy grief, while also feeling love and joy. Those two things didn't have to be on their own. I wanted them to work together, and I hope I was able to accomplish that. 

7. Can you tell us a little about Thea and her journey throughout the book?

Yes, Thea starts out just really lost after losing her brother. She’s far away from family and friends and in a job she finds no joy in. When she learns that her brother left his cabin to her, she decides to go back to her hometown to face it and everything else she left behind, which includes her brother’s best friend, Hansen. I would say Thea’s main journey is learning she can’t run from her life no matter how much she wants to. And also, learning that she can’t change what happened to her brother, and she has to face that guilt and accept that she’s still worthy of being loved.

8. Were there any scenes in the book that were especially meaningful or challenging for you to write?

There is a scene toward the end of the book (I won’t say what it is because it’s a HUGE spoiler) but it’s a pretty dramatic scene and it was really meaningful for me to write because I think it shows just how hard letting go of someone you love really is. And that no matter what we do, we can’t save everyone. That is a lesson I had to accept as I got older and I think it was challenging for me to write but it’s also my very favorite scene. 

9. What do you hope readers feel or take away after finishing With Love, Thea?

I hope they can take away the idea that you can feel grief and you can struggle, but you can also have love and joy. This life is so hard sometimes (or most of the time haha) and it’s important to find the things in it that get you through the day. 

10. As an indie author releasing your debut novel, what has your publishing journey been like so far?

It’s been a journey! Lol. I’ve enjoyed most of it, but I won’t lie and say it hasn’t been difficult. I would say the editing and formatting of the book was the most challenging part. Thank God for the many, many self-published authors that came before me and the random reddit threads from 10 years ago I would read in the middle of a crisis!  

There is a lot that goes into the actual publishing and it’s a big learning curve. Now that the book has been out for almost six months, I’ve really enjoyed it! My first review that wasn’t from a friend or family, I cried haha. I also have been invited to a bookclub that read my book and that was amazing, and doing this interview is pretty damn cool! 

I’m a big extravert and I love talking (I’m sure you’ve learned that by now with how long my answers are lol) so I’ve really enjoyed that part of it all! It’s not easy, but it’s been one of the most amazing things I’ve done in my life and I hope to keep doing it forever. 

11. You mentioned you've been writing since you were a little girl. When did you first realize you wanted to pursue writing seriously?

I think in high school when I wrote an Avatar The Last Airbender Fan Fic (hold your applause) and everyone loved it. I realized then that I loved sharing my stories and I wanted that feeling of someone loving something I had created to never go away. 

12. What does your writing process look like when you’re working on a new story?

A lot of crying. Throwing up. Screaming. 

Jk. That’s only really through the first draft. Lol. Usually, I go into a new story a little blind and I just write and write until I have a draft. I do that so the characters can tell me the story through their eyes. Then I go through and find what works and what doesn’t. Also, a TON of talking the story out loud to my friends and husband. They hate to see me coming with a new story idea. 

13. Do you tend to plan your stories in advance, or do you discover them as you write?

Both. I definitely have a basic idea of what is going to happen, but I’m totally open to things changing along the way. The first draft of With Love, Thea was hugely different from the one that made it to publishing. 

14. How did it feel holding your debut novel in your hands for the first time?

It was unbelievable. Unfortunately, Amazon messed up on my cover and it looked totally wrong the first time haha. But once I got that sorted out, I seriously couldn’t stop staring at it. Still to this day I have it on my bookshelf and I just can’t believe it’s mine. 

15. What has been the most rewarding response you've received from readers so far?

Even though I haven’t had too many readers yet, all of them have been incredible. The book club I attended a few weeks ago was life changing. They all asked the best questions and they genuinely understood what message I was trying to portray with the book, so I’m really grateful for them. 

16. Are there any authors or books that inspired your writing style?

Absolutely! Emily Henry is a huge inspiration for me and if I could ever write as half as good as she does, I’ll feel like I’ve truly made it in this life. I would also say that Sarah Deseen played a huge role in my wanting to write romance growing up. 

17. Writing about emotional topics can be heavy. How do you take care of yourself creatively while working on those themes?

I make sure to take breaks when I’m feeling burnt out or stuck. I also read other genres that are a little lighter, or watch my favorite TV shows. And changing what I’m working on can help. I write murder mystery books as well so when I need a change of pace, I work on them for a while.

18. What was the biggest lesson you learned while writing and publishing your first book?

It’s going to be a lot of work, and there are going to be so many times when you feel like it’s not worth it or you aren’t good enough, but if you really want it, and it’s your dream, then it’s so incredibly worth it. It doesn’t matter how much money you make or how many people read your book (although I won’t pretend those aren’t cool haha), but honestly it’s about how you feel about yourself. If you’re proud of yourself, and the work you’ve done, then that’s all that matters. 

19. You mentioned the second book in the series is coming in Summer 2026. What can readers look forward to in the next installment?

Yes! Book Two! It’s Lucy and Riggins’s story! It’s a true second chance (my favorite trope of all time) and I think it might surprise people. It won’t be as heavy as Thea’s book, but it will still come with a lot of strong and important topics. Lucy had to give up her dreams and the life she thought she would have when she was young and so the book is about her finally choosing to have the life she really wants. (Also, she’s my favorite and I can’t wait for more people to meet her!) 

20. Will the second book continue exploring similar themes of healing and love?

Yes, for sure. The love story is a little stronger in the second book and I think it’s a really beautiful one. Also, there is a lot of healing in that book as well. I like to write characters that aren’t perfect and have flaws, since we all do as humans, and I think the second book will be another good example of two characters who are struggling in this life trying to do the best they can and figuring out how to best love each other. 

21. What advice would you give to aspiring authors who want to share deeply personal stories through fiction?

Don’t be afraid of writing mess. LIke I just said above, no one is perfect. It’s okay if your stories and characters make mistakes because that’s life. Tell your story exactly how you want to tell it. Write the book you wish you had when you were struggling. Don’t worry about anyone else or what’s popular. Just be true to yourself. 

22. How do you celebrate milestones like finishing a manuscript or releasing a book?

I love any excuse to celebrate things so I definitely celebrate all my milestones! When I finish a manuscript, I usually go to a nice dinner and not open my laptop for a week haha. When I released my book, it was also my 30th birthday so I went all out! We did karaoke, dinner, got makeovers. It was a blast. 

23. What part of being an indie author has surprised you the most?

How incredible the community is. I’ve met so many amazing writers and readers who have been so supportive and just the best people. It really is the best community to be a part of, and I’m so grateful I can be in it. 

24. What are you most excited about in this next chapter of your author journey?

Geez, there are so many things to look forward to! I’m excited to release a second book. I’m also excited for my audience to grow. Also, working on a new project that isn’t related to this world. I have a lot of ideas and I can’t wait to keep creating and keep sharing! 

25. Where can readers connect with you and keep up with your upcoming books?

I am on Instagram and TikTok! They are both under authormadijanderson

 

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Rapid Fire Fun 🔥

26. Coffee or tea while writing? Coffee for sure!
27. Morning writer or night writer? Morning writer! 

28. Favorite romance trope? Second chance or Forbidden Love! (Or both! Both is good!)
29. Paperback, ebook, or audiobook? Paperback or audiobook!
30. Favorite place to write? Barnes and Noble or outside!
31. One word to describe With Love, Thea? Devotion.
32. Favorite writing snack? Popcorn!
33. Favorite comfort read? Beach Read by Emily Henry.
34. Music while writing or silence? Music for sure! The Lord of the Rings soundtrack all the way!

35. One thing readers might be surprised to learn about you? I am HORRIBLE at spelling and grammar lol. Thank God for spell check and editors!