Moira Darling is the indie author of four amazing sapphic vampire romantasy books in her series Her Fangs in My Heart. The standalones stories have some interlocked characters and lore. They were all published through this year: A Hunger Soft and Wild, A Curse Bright and Breathing, A Heart Fierce and Blooming, and A Vow Cold and Kindled.
Though I’ve enjoyed the ARCs of all of these, and they’re all available now, I was focused on A Heart Fierce and Blooming when I interviewed Darling. As my absolute favorite of the series, I was ecstatic to learn more about the book and characters.
Moira Darling’s writing improves throughout her novels, too. Everything strengthens the more you read! Being among the first readers of Darling’s work makes me so happy. I hope more readers seek them out for the gorgeous, lyrical writing, butchxfemme relationships, and atmospheric world.
Her responses below are funny, insightful, and heart-warming.
Fandom Spotlite had the chance to ask Moira Darling some questions about her sapphic romantasy books and her writing in general.
Fandom Spotlite: How long have you been writing?
Darling: Since I was fourteen. A friend introduced me to those text-based roleplay forums, and I was hooked. I was terrible at first, but eventually one-sentence replies turned into two, then a paragraph, then more. I fell in love with building worlds, characters, and writing.
FS: What is one lesson you’ve learned through your writing journey so far?
Darling: Write what you want. Whenever I’ve tried to chase trends or engineer a book “for the market” in the past, the story withered and died. The projects that won’t leave me alone have proven to be the ones I finish (and the ones readers connect with the most).
FS: Where does your inspiration come from? Is it specific shows, books, etc.?
Darling: My spouse teases me that I’m easily inspired by everything. And I am. Video games, anime (forever a fan), movies, and other books all spark ideas. A Heart Fierce and Blooming in particular was inspired by both Lilo & Stitch (specifically the looming threat of the children being taken + the “this is my family, it’s broken but still good” feeling) and The Sound of Music (the romance, the music, the loving care shown towards the children, etc.).
FS: Can you describe your writing process?
Darling: I outline first for the plot points, beats, scenes, etc. Then I write the first draft fairly quickly with my go-to fantasy instrumental playlist on repeat. My first draft is mostly word vomit and very messy. The real magic of writing happens in editing. I revise in multiple passes.
FS: What is your biggest challenge when writing?
Darling: Editing that messy first draft. It’s a little daunting at first because I’m translating the word vomit into (what I hope is) a clean, emotionally stimulating book. Once I do a few passes of edits, it gets easier, but that first developmental edit is rough.
FS: How do you come up with the names for places and characters?
Darling: I wish I had an interesting answer or system, but it’s mostly just sound and feel. Sometimes I’ll look up names that “sound soft” or something similar. I usually am quick to pick one and roll with it.
FS: Was it always the plan to write about the six vampire children after concluding A Curse Bright and Breathing?
Darling: Not at all! If I’d known where the muse was dragging me, I might have given them fewer siblings, lol. When I started writing A Heart Fierce and Blooming, I kept getting the children mixed up! I ended up keeping a cheat sheet by my keyboard with their names, ages, and core traits. I referenced it until I was about halfway through. Hearing readers say they never got the kids mixed up is the BEST compliment.
FS: Were you surprised by anything when writing A Heart Fierce and Blooming? What about your other two books? [Editor’s note: at the time of the interview questions, Darling’s fourth book was not yet released]
Darling: Yes. I was surprised with how much quieter the book wanted to be. Heart asked for tenderness in the form of domestic stakes, earned trust, and slow healing. For my first two books, Selis surprised me. I hadn’t planned to write her into the first book at all (she was not in my initial outline). She just sprung up out of nowhere. Then, she demanded her own book, and who am I to refuse her?
FS: What was your favorite scene in A Heart Fierce and Blooming? (feel free to be vague to avoid spoilers!)
Darling: The shopping trip in the market with just Marienne and Tamsin. It’s carefully intimate. The banter, the looks, the little rain shower… It was so much fun to write. That scene pulled them closer together in a way that felt warm and inevitable.
FS: If Marienne and Tamsin lived in the modern world, what occupations would they have?
Darling: I like this question! I haven’t thought of it before. I could imagine Marienne as a luxury boutique owner. Or perhaps a flower shop owner. Tamsin would be a veteran turned community self-defense instructor. Something steady, practical, and quietly heroic.
FS: This might be blasphemous to ask, but which of the main couples is your favorite: Aria and Roan, Naera and Selis, or Marienne and Tamsin? [Editor’s note: special shoutout to Ilyra and Virelle from A Vow Cold and Kindled]
Darling: Honestly, I love them all differently. Aria/Roan are my first book babies, and I love Aria’s determination for peace and Roan’s protectiveness. Naera/Selis were so fun to write with their banter and push/pull. Marienne/Tamsin are healing, trust, and found family. They’re all my favorite.
FS: If you could summarize AHFaB in five words (or a sentence), what would it be?
Darling: Grumpy/sunshine with six vampire children.
FS: Do you think you’ll always write about vampires or are you eyeing other genres/creatures as well?
Darling: Vampires have my heart, and I’ll likely keep returning to them, but I’m absolutely eyeing other creatures and subgenres. I love fantasy and paranormal romance of all kinds. Witches, spirits, monsters, you name it.
FS: If readers love your books, what other authors or books should they check out?
Darling: If you like A Heart Fierce and Blooming because of the knight aspect, definitely check out Mariah Rae Birch’s Sapphic Lady Knights series. She does lady knights amazingly well!
FS: Can you give a brief promotion or summary for the next book in the Her Fangs in My Heart series? What should your readers be excited to see?
Darling: A Vow Cold and Kindled just released. It’s a quick holiday novella set in the same world. It features a spicy romance about a turned vampire knight, a quiet princess who reminds her of sunlight, fated mates, a Yule setting, and some holiday magic. It’s short and romantic in a winter-gothic setting.
Thank you to Moira Darling for agreeing to an interview! As a lover of vampires, it has been amazing to follow along with an interlocked series of sapphic ones. I appreciate getting insight into new favorite authors.
All of Darling’s books are available through Amazon, whether as paperbacks or on Kindle: A Hunger Soft and Wild, A Curse Bright and Breathing, A Heart Fierce and Blooming, and A Vow Cold and Kindled.
Moira Darling can be reached at her website, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and Goodreads.
