Unveiling the Magic with L. M. Montes

•

Editor’s Desk – London

Exploring the Intersection of Faith, Fantasy, and Self-Discovery

L. M. Montes discusses her journey from education to writing, blending fantasy with faith, and the

themes resonating through her novels.

L. M. Montes is the author of two Christian urban fantasy novels, a short story collection, and a collection of poetry. She has been featured in Canvas Rebel Magazine, Bold Journey Magazine, and she has been interviewed on the podcast The Neil Haley Show. Over the years she has accumulated an extensive background in education with a degree in teaching, a major in English, and two master’s degrees. Along with many travels, her life has led her on a creative journey. 

All her life L. M. Montes has been a lover of the fantastical. Wherever she goes, she is in search of a story with a hint of magic just around the corner. She is a strong proponent of and has always felt that “a story is out there somewhere.”

When she is not working on her next adventure, she can be found writing on her blog, taking a walk on the beach, or creating beaded jewelry.

 Your background in education and English, along with your love for the fantastical, seems to have heavily influenced your writing. How do you see these aspects of your life reflected in your novels and poetry?

My teaching experience in the classroom years ago and other real-life experiences opened the door to writing novels and poetry using teaching elements within them by way of the themes found throughout my writings. Likewise, the fantastical knows no boundaries, so I am better able to dig deeper within myself and think outside the box. Doing this brings a feeling of joy as I write. My goal is for that same feeling of joy to be conveyed to the reader, and it opens up a fun way for readers to learn life’s lessons. 

The Veil of Time and The Cross’s Key delve into Christian urban fantasy, blending supernatural elements with real-world settings. What inspired you to explore this genre, and how do you approach incorporating faith into your storytelling?

When I set out to write my first novel, it was originally going to be a romance. I wrote the first two chapters and brought them to my creative writing fiction professor at the university for feedback. After reading my work, he suggested I add some fantasy to it. That idea sparked a flame inside me, and the ideas flowed.

Incorporating faith into my storytelling comes from wanting to share the love of Christ with others but doing it in such a way that readers will find it thought provoking and enjoyable at the same time. To do this I find a scripture centered around the story I am wanting to write; a process that takes some time and much reflection. The character arc of my main characters must also coincide with the chosen scripture. Throwing various challenges at my characters throughout the story opens them up to opportunities for spiritual growth.

Your protagonist, Tora, embarks on a journey of self-discovery and faces formidable adversaries in your Time series. Can you share more about the themes of identity and overcoming darkness that permeate these novels?

What we see at the beginning of “The Veil of Time” is a strong willed and confident Tora Jasper who believes she knows who she is. But memories of her relationship with her mother begin triggering memories of self-doubt. Soon she comes to the knowledge that everything about herself and all she knows is false. Her self-identity comes into question. 

Along the way obstacles challenge her, and she realizes there is strength, not weakness, in asking for help. She now understands that, when the darkness beckons her, she finds her own strengths are not enough. 

In Lights of Fantasy, your collection of short stories, you explore themes of fantasy, mystery, and intrigue. What draws you to these genres, and how do you approach crafting short fiction compared to longer works?

Fantasy, mystery, and intrigue are three of the genres I read the most. I love the, ‘on the edge of your seat’ feeling obtained by reading these genres. But, when it comes to mystery and intrigue, I’ve never written stories in those genres and wanted to try my hand at creating some.

When crafting short fiction, I stick to one small idea and develop it with a short range or conclusion in mind. I keep the story on a ‘leash’ so to speak. That can be difficult at times when I am writing and the ideas start to flow to the point where I want to develop more, but I stick to the predetermined goal of keeping it short and write down any ideas for future use should I decide to turn any of them into full length novels. 

Writing long fiction is a different process. I create a binder with tabbed sections for characterization, setting, plot points and so on. I also keep a journal for each of my novels, which allows for expanding on plot points or for focusing on story elements that need more attention before they go into the manuscript. My plots tend to be complex, so keeping notes on the various story angles in a journal helps considerably.

Your creative pursuits extend beyond writing, including blogging and creating beaded jewelry. How do these different forms of expression complement your writing process, and do you find inspiration crossing over between them? 

The adoration of jewelry and all that sparkles within it is responsible for the inspiration of my first book, “The Veil of Time”. Plus, I blog about my books, and the short stories started out on my blog before being put together into a collection. My blog is also where I talk about and teach others the process of writing fiction.

You’ve been featured in Canvas Rebel Magazine and interviewed on The Neil Haley Show. How have these experiences impacted your writing journey, and what advice do you have for aspiring writers looking to gain exposure for their work?

I have found an awakened inspiration inside myself because of participating in these experiences. They came at a time when I felt like giving up. I realise now that giving up is not an option. I love sharing what I do with others, and that is what is important here. For any aspiring writers out there, never give up. Share your work.

Photo Credit: Lisa Montes, Cheryl Greenlee

Follow the author

•

,
Verified by MonsterInsights