Interview with C.E. Clayton, Author of Encryption of the Heart (Love, Tech, & Magic Book 1)

What’s the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Encryption of the Heart (Love, Tech, & Magic Book 1)?

Two years ago, I was a brand-new, first-time mom struggling to hold on to me, the author, while learning how to care for this tiny new human in my life. I had resigned myself to the idea that I just wasn’t going to write again for the next year, if not longer. But I was feeling stifled and I needed an outlet, and then one of my favorite game franchises of all time released its latest game after over ten years: Baldur’s Gate. Maybe it’s weird to credit Baldur’s Gate III with what inspired me to write “Encryption of the Heart”, but it really did! The writing and the warm nostalgia I have for this franchise sparked something in me, especially Astarion’s character arc. His story was a big inspiration for the leading male character in this book. In a lot of ways, EotH is a bit like a cyberpunk version of a druid (from DnD) and rogue romance, and that’s really all thanks to the late nights I spent playing Baldur’s Gate III in between late-night feedings of my newborn!

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of Encryption of the Heart (Love, Tech, & Magic Book 1), what would they be?

I make playlists for all my books, so of course EotH is no different! But if I had to pick one song for each character, I think it’d have to be:

Olline’s song—“Good As it Gets” by Little Hurt

Casimir’s song— “Human Enough” by ONR

What’s your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?

My favorite genres to read have always been fantasy and science fiction. A love that started when I was very young with reading the Dragonriders of Pern series that combined both fantasy and science fiction elements together so seamlessly. I also love a good contemporary and urban fantasy romance! Given that, is it really surprising that I love being able to create my own elaborate worlds where I can live out these fantasies of high tech, glittery magic, and swoony romance? It’s a bit of a genre blend, but that’s why I love writing in the sci-fi fantasy genre, the freedom to create and to have the best of both worlds, so to speak, is so fun to write!

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

I am desperately trying to get through a lot of my physical books right now, so my TBR pile is very long! But a few books on top are: Calamity by Constance Fay, Jade City by Fonda Lee, Some Desperate Glory by Emily Tesh, and Water Moon by Samantha Sotto Yambao. There’s clearly a theme to my TBR pile! And this doesn’t even include some of the books I’ve pre-ordered…

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

Without spoiling anything, one of my favorite scenes that I wrote was when the main male character watches the main female character wield magic. Being able to show how brilliant and magical she is, and the simple joy of doing something she likes, was really freeing. It was a beautiful homage to doing something simply because you enjoy doing it and having that be appreciated without having to justify why you’re spending time and energy on something that doesn’t bring in an income. It was a very validating experience given my own hobbies and passions. Too often it feels like you have to justify spending time on “frivolous” hobbies. So many people are so quick to belittle it because it’s “just a hobby”, that I loved having a character appreciate someone’s hobbies and defend her doing them. It was my way of signaling to myself, and whoever needs to hear it, that creating something simply because you enjoy the experience is more than a valid reason to spend time creating or doing the hobby.

Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)

I wish I had something quirky! My only real writing habit is that I only ever write forward. I don’t go back and rewrite until after I’ve finished the first draft. But I do write down all my editing notes and concerns and things to update or fix in a physical journal. Writing down my concerns or questions about scenes as I’m writing the story helps me process what the fear is, or think through the issue so that by the time the first draft is written, I have a better roadmap on how to fix things. Being able to check mark issues I’ve fixed in a journal is also very satisfying!

Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?

The philosophy I live by can be summed up fairly simply: progress is progress. I truly believe that as long as you’re moving forward, taking steps to change things you don’t like, or to accomplish your goal, it doesn’t matter if you wrote one word, took one step, did one thing on your to-do list. You still did something to move forward. Stagnation is a creativity and productivity killer for me, so I very firmly hold on to the idea that as long as I took a step, made a move toward the thing I’m trying to accomplish—like writing a book—then I have succeeded for the day.

If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?

That kindness is not a weakness, and is often a strength. That’s the case for Olline, it’s what Casimir learns through her. Olline is strong and powerful and brilliant, but it’s her kindness that ultimately saves the day. Kindness and empathy are never weaknesses, and as Olline embraces that aspect of herself, I hope readers do, too.

C.E. Clayton is the author of the new book Encryption of the Heart (Love, Tech, & Magic Book 1)

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