Meet Moriah Chavis | Author

We had the good fortune of connecting with Moriah Chavis and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Moriah, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
Anything worth doing has some type of risk involved. It’s deciding if the risk is worth the reward. When it comes to writing, there is a lot of risk and sometimes very little reward. The reward can be a simple as having one person love your book or as large as getting a major book deal. There are people who have both, and there are people who never finish their book. The risk of not being able to share the stories in my heart is greater to me than the small and big rewards. Writing is a dream and passion of mine, and the risk of disappointing myself always threatens. So I keep writing. The most rewarding part is saying I have finished something and created a project I love.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My first novel, Heart of the Sea, is a YA fantasy that follows Nerissa Elliot. She’s on the hunt to save her sister from an insidious darkness threatening to take over the land. But the only way for her to get to where she needs to go is to get help from Cyrus Crow, the pirate who has been ordered to kill her in exchange for his freedom.

I started this book in March 2020, but it wasn’t the first thing I’ve ever written. I’ve written many other book-length manuscripts and have learned something new from each. I grow into a better and stronger writer with every new story. I learned to write short stories, which are more difficult than they seem!

One lesson I’ve learned is to give myself grace and time. Writing is a slow art. It takes years to see the whole picture, and I can be my own worst critic. I rush myself a lot, and I’ve had to learn to pace myself. Because having art I’m proud of matters more than how long it takes to complete it.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Whenever I go somewhere new, I always find their bookstores. I love supporting local businesses and finding something unique in each of them. I’m someone who loves to try new places and restaurants that sound interesting. Does it sometimes not work out like I intended? Yes. But is there always a fun story to tell afterword? Also yes.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Being a writer isn’t an easy dream. My husband, parents, in-laws, grandparents, and my brother are my biggest supporters.

Website: https://moriahchavis.wixsite.com/website

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moriah.chavis/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moriahchavisauthor

Other: https://a.co/d/hz9e5Ay

Image Credits
Professional Author Shot: Lauren Cranford Photography Nerissa and Cyrus (together): Abigail Rouleau, Artist Nerissa and Cyrus (separate): Mariposa Aristeo Cover: EA Creative, Emilie Haney Beach Photo: Me