Good morning, Christy, and welcome to Vision and Verse. Can you tell us a little about what you’ve written?
I've completed The Roanfire Saga, a four-book fantasy series that follows Kea, a young soldier who discovers that saving her kingdom from an ancient curse is significantly more complicated than her military training prepared her for. The series took me 20 years to complete—mostly because I took a 10-year break when I had children and real-life chaos temporarily won the battle against fictional chaos—and it explores themes of friendship, forgiveness, and the stubborn refusal to give up even when everything seems hopeless. Writing this saga was like herding cats across four books: challenging, occasionally maddening, but ultimately rewarding as I watched my characters grow from their initial mistakes into people I genuinely admired. The world-building became increasingly complex as the series progressed, with plotlines weaving together like an intricate tapestry that somehow didn't completely unravel in my hands. I'm proud of how all those narrative threads came together in the final book, creating what I hope is a satisfying conclusion for readers who stuck with Kea through thick, thin, and several near-apocalyptic scenarios.
What is your favorite genre to write?
I'm absolutely in love with writing YA Fantasy, though honestly, I'm drawn to any YA genre that lets me explore the beautiful chaos of being a teenager while adding my own twisted sense of adventure. There's something magical about that age where everything feels simultaneously earth-shattering and full of infinite possibility—it's the perfect backdrop for both epic quests and quiet moments of self-discovery. YA Fantasy gives me the freedom to blend coming-of-age struggles with world-ending stakes, where a character can worry about their first kiss one moment and face down a dragon the next, and both feel equally important. I love how YA readers embrace emotional intensity and aren't afraid of big feelings or bold choices, which means I can write characters who leap before they look and love fiercely without reservation.
Favorite food.
French Fries—especially from Freddy’s.
Tea or coffee or what?
Can I cheat and say hot chocolate instead, because while everyone else is debating the merits of caffeine versus tannins, I'm over here living my best life with marshmallows and whipped cream?
Yes. Pizza or ice cream?
Pizza!
Wine or beer or soda or what?
Nope, nope, nope… water. I’m boring.
Where would you like to visit?
Scotland! Apparently, I have history there.
. Favorite musical artist.
Right now I'm completely obsessed with Daniel Deuschle—his music has this perfect blend of energy and emotion that somehow manages to soundtrack both my writing sessions and my kitchen dance parties.
Do you listen to music when you write? Sometimes. What? I can only listen to instrumental. I can’t listen to songs with any kind of lyrics when I’m writing. Too distracting
What makes you laugh?
My cat absolutely cracks me up. She's claimed my office chair as her personal amusement park and will beg me to spin her around, then leap right back on every time I try to reclaim it. It’s like she's running her own feline carnival ride.
Favorite work of art or sculpture.
I'm captivated by sculptures that capture flowing fabric, like Philippe Faraut's"Child Bride"—there's something devastatingly beautiful about how stone can be transformed into something so delicate it seems to move with an invisible breeze.
How old were you when you started writing?
About fifteen.
Do you plan out your book with outlines and notecards? Or just write?
I used to just write. Now I have a little more structure. I try to at least have a plot in mind and develop my characters to really suit it. Then I write towards an end goal. Sometimes the characters take me on strange adventures.
Describe your perfect evening.
My perfect evening is sitting on the back porch with my husband, hot chocolate warming my hands while our cat purrs in my lap, watching thunderstorms roll in as the kids play outside.
Where do you get your inspiration?
My inspiration comes from everywhere, but growing up in Germany definitely shaped my imagination—there's something about being surrounded by castles, ancient forests, and centuries of stories embedded in every cobblestone that makes magic feel inevitable. Recently, a whole new story was born during a flight home from visiting my sister when I looked out the airplane window and saw this incredible sea of white, bubbling clouds edged in golden sunlight. Suddenly, my brain went completely rogue and I could see an old ship sailing through those clouds with mermaids swimming alongside it through the sky, and I knew I had to write that story.
What do you do when you get a writer's block?
Thank goodness I haven't had writer's block in a while, but when it does strike, I've learned to step away from the project and go for a walk with instrumental music—no lyrics allowed—because sometimes my brain just needs permission to wander until it stumbles back onto the right path.
Who is your favorite author?
Right now I'm completely obsessed with Brandon Sanderson—his world-building is so intricate and his magic systems so cleverly constructed that I find myself taking notes like I'm studying for a masterclass in fantasy writing.
I'd have to say "Assassin's Apprentice" by Robin Hobb, because that was the book that grabbed me by the heart and whispered "you need to write stories like this.”
Last book you read.
“Project Hail Mary” by Andy Weir. Excellent book. A little slow to begin, but such a fantastic ending.
What would you do for a living if you weren’t a writer?
If I weren't a writer, I'd probably be a personal trainer—there's something appealing about helping people transform their lives through movement and strength, plus I'd get to boss people around in a socially acceptable way.
Who is the one person who has influenced your personal life the most and why?
I would have to say my husband. He believes in me so much. Not only that, he is the one who convinced me to get published. He had my back the whole time, and still does. If he says he’ll do something, he does it. I was used to dreaming and wishing. He makes things happen.
If you could sit down and have a conversation with ONE person, living or dead, real or fictional, who would it be and why?
Studio Ghibli’s Hayao Miyazaki, without question! His work represents everything I aspire to as a storyteller. Creating characters so beautifully flawed and real, content that appeals to all ages, and the power of stories to build people up and give them hope.
What advice would you give someone who aspired to be a writer?
Start writing now, even if it's terrible. I began in shared notebooks during high school, and those messy collaborative stories taught me more about storytelling than any class could have. And learn to take criticism as fuel for growth. Rejection letters hurt, but each one taught me something valuable about my craft. If you're not getting feedback, you're not growing.
Carol Ann, Thank you so much for the opportunity to be featured on Vision and Verse! I'm thrilled to be part of your blog's incredible twelve-year journey and to connect with your audience of book lovers. I should mention that I'm a client of Michel Evan, who recommended your wonderful blog.
It is my pleasure, Christy, to introduce my audience to such a terrific writer! I thank Michael for his referral. We at Vision and Verse wish you continued success in all your writing endeavors.
Social Media Links:
- Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/CK-Miller/author/B07FYS8QGP?ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true&ccs_id=f37fc0d8-0e67-48ab-8cf4-7e7228beca30
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Roanfire/
- Website/Blog: www.ckmillerbooks.com
- Instagram: @ckmillerbooks
Book Information:
The Roanfire Saga (4-book fantasy series) - https://a.co/d/566fdsH
Thank you again for this wonderful opportunity to share my work with the Vision and Verse community. I really appreciate all the work you do to support authors and celebrate the arts!
Best regards, Christy Miller (C.K. Miller)
P.S. I love that your blog celebrates the connection between visual arts and literature - it's such a perfect
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