This post was originally published on Audible.com.
Since the release of Silver Elite last spring, the literary world has wanted to know: Who is Dani Francis? While we might not have that exact answer for you here, the author has divulged a bit about her writing process, her thoughts on the series narration, and what “Mod” psychic ability she would want herself.
Katie O'Connor: What was the originating idea for the Silver Elite trilogy, and did that original idea hold true as you started shaping the arc of the three books?
Dani Francis: I’m a fan of dystopian stories, particularly romances, and at the time that I came up with the idea for Silver Elite, I was in search of something to read. So, there wasn’t really a single originating idea so much as a desire to tell a certain kind of story—a dystopian world, a heroine facing impossible odds, and resilience at its core. I had a general framework in mind, but as I started outlining, it was really the characters and their personalities that guided the story. Wren and Cross often revealed what needed to happen next, and I ended up plotting an entire trilogy.
You’ve created such a rich, layered world in this series. How do you keep yourself organized while writing?
Creating a series bible helps a lot. I write detailed character profiles—what they look like, who they know, where they’ve been, and how they fit into the world. I have a file of terminology, Mod powers, locations, etc. It keeps me organized and helps maintain consistency as the story grows. That said, no matter how thorough your notes are, it’s invaluable to have editors and proofreaders with a great eye for detail. They often catch the little things that can slip through the cracks.
If you could only have one of the Modified’s psychic abilities, which would it be and why?
I always go back and forth on this one. I think mind-reading is one I’d steer away from because I wouldn’t feel good about invading someone’s privacy, but at the same time, doesn’t everyone want to know what people really think about them? I think, though, I’d go with the basic power of telepathy. I’d like to be able to connect to friends and family whenever I wanted without having to charge my phone LOL.
You’ve written about your appreciation for “messy decision making.” As a self-professed “hopeless romantic,” what’s the messiest thing you’ve ever done for love? What do you hope listeners take away from Wren’s messiness?
I hope listeners resonate with Wren’s messiness. We all have plans and goals, but the path from point A to point B is rarely straightforward. More often than not, life is complicated, unexpected, and more chaotic than we'd like. That doesn’t mean you’re on the wrong path, and it doesn’t always mean you could have prevented the chaos in the first place. Sometimes all you can do is keep your focus on where you want to go and continue moving forward, one step at a time. Wren often makes rash decisions that don’t always work out the way she hopes, but the great thing about her is that she never lets her mistakes define her. She learns from them and moves on. I try to do the same in my own life.
What are your favorite tropes to write, and what are your favorite tropes to enjoy as a listener?
The trilogy definitely showcases it, but I love an enemies-to-lovers trope and those classic will-they-won’t-they dynamics. There’s something compelling about watching people fight for what they want, whether it’s love, freedom, or simply a chance to be themselves.
As a listener, I’m less focused on specific tropes and more interested in being completely drawn into a story. I want a book that immerses me so fully that I forget everything else while I’m listening.
We love narrator Amanda Dolan as Wren. She understands the dystopian + angst assignment. And it was a treat to hear Teddy Hamilton perform the prologue and epilogue as Cross. Were you involved in the casting? Do you hear their voices at all when working on the characters?
I don’t hear specific voices when I write—the narrators were cast after I had already finished writing the first book. I was involved in the casting, however, and when I heard Amanda’s audio samples, I instantly knew she was Wren. She captured Wren’s voice perfectly for me. Then, during the second book, that’s when I started hearing Amanda’s voice as Wren.
During the writing process, I’d sometimes find myself thinking about scenes she might enjoy bringing to life. As for Teddy, I was so excited about his casting. I love his voice, and casting him as Cross was such a treat for me. It’s been wonderful to hear Amanda and Teddy’s interpretations of the characters and the emotion they bring to the story.
Holy love triangle! (No spoilers!) What teams have you been on in these literary love triangles: Peeta & Gale. Edward & Jacob. Roy & Andre. Heathcliff & Edgar. Conrad & Jeremiah.
Admittedly, the only triangle I was very invested in from these options is Edward and Jacob, and the answer is Edward, obviously!
