author interviews – The Fantasy Nook

Author’s Spotlight with Steven E. Scribner

Hello all! It’s been a while since I posted something here, but today I have a guest to interview. Steven E. Scribner is the author of the Tond series, and he’s here to answer some questions about his book, Grendul Rising, which is the first of the Madstones Tetralogy, the second series in the world of Tond. Let’s dive right in!

Steven, thanks for being willing to answer these questions for this author spotlight! I’m glad to have you here today. First up, can you tell us what the inspiration for this story was?

Several threads came together.

One: there were a couple of loose ends in my original “Tond” books, which I thought I could put together to write another story.

Two: Current events (and the division in manners of thinking) have gotten so extreme and bizarre that they almost sound like a fantasy story themselves. I wanted to treat them in an allegorical manner and, at the same time, have the characters go on a third path that can restore sanity. (In this book, though, only the madness is presented, and only part of it; the resolves will come later in the tetralogy.) I don’t have the characters “discover” this third path because it’s always been there for them.

Three: Old stories (by me). There were some characters and sub-plots that I had put in the very first versions of my “Tond” books (written when I was in high school, more than forty years ago); I had eventually dropped these ideas as the stories evolved but I thought it would be possible to bring them back into another story. So, the newest “Tond” book contains some of the oldest “Tond” material.

Four: Old stories (not by me). This new series will feature retellings of one Medieval and one Renaissance story, along with a lot of “folklore” that I invented (but based on actual folktales from various places in the world).

That’s awesome! It’s always nice when you can put a message into the book naturally without losing any of the meaning in the message or the story, and retellings of folklore and stories through your own lore is very inventive! Now, let’s look at our next question. If you had to boil the story down to its fundamentals, what is the theme you’re trying to get across to the reader?

Discussions on the nature of evil, and how we know about it. In the original “Tond” series, the villain is pure evil; a vast monolithic force of corruption and destruction in the manner of Tolkien’s Sauron. This time, though, I present a subtler antagonist. In this first book he seems to be nothing more than a petty dictator wannabe who sews discord by means of propaganda and misinformation. That much is obviously “evil”, but some of the characters (who have known him previously) drop hints that his psychology is more complex and his motives may not be purely malevolent. Likewise, the protagonists are not always obviously “good”; one of them resorts to bribery at one point, and under-the-table criminal activity seems ubiquitous in the part of Tond called Kaii. So how do we recognize evil? This point will be discussed more in depth later in the series.

That’s one of those enduring themes that has so many good iterations of it and new angles to explore. I love that you’re looking at both pure evil and also subtler evil that may not be readily apparent and may not purely be motivated by malevolence. As is often said, the worst type of dictator (or villain) is the one convinced he’s doing it for your good! So, did you consciously choose this theme, or did it sort of reveal itself during the process?

It pretty much revealed itself after I had put together the four “threads” I talked about in Answer #1.

Always nice when that happens and you don’t have to sit there and heavily think about what sort of theme would be best illustrated by the story you want to tell! It definitely makes writing the book easier when it all falls together that way! So let’s look at some fun questions now! What is your favorite moment in the novel, and why?

A lot of it deals with serious themes, but there’s a lighter moment in Chapter Two that I like. Nanta Hornblower is charged with playing the Horn on Horn Hill every morning at sunrise. This is taken to be a very serious occupation in Kaii, and it may involve hardship (Nanta has to live in a chilly, smelly little hut atop the Hill and go several miles to get food and water, for example). When one of her friends asks why she does it, she points out the view from the Hill: misty and sunlit mountains and forests, and twinkling lights that are the sunlight glinting off of glass windows in the towns in the woods. She appreciates the beauty of nature and of art. The inspiration for this scene (which goes back to those very early versions of the “Tond” books) was the horn calls and forest music in Mahler’s Second Symphony. (Here’s a link: begin at 19:25 if you want to hear the actual piece! Gustavo Dudamel / SBSOV Mahler: Symphony No. 2 Mov V (1/2) – YouTube)

And, a comical moment also involving Nanta and music: (this is a paraphrase since the original makes no sense out of context). In the midst of a riot: “Put your hands up and step away from the bagpipe!” (The Tondish bagpipe is a Rube Goldberg contraption quite a bit zanier than the familiar European versions.)

That last one sounds like a really funny moment in the scene! So since you’ve noted a lot of the story deals with serious themes, let’s turn our focus back to that discussion. What is the moment you feel best illustrates the theme and why?

Tazzie spoke up, “You said that Grendul’s motivation is a misplaced desire to do good. Creating madness does not seem to be desire to do good.”
S’Enrik emitted what sounded like a grim laugh. “Ah yes, that’s the trouble, isn’t it? It depends what kind of madness.”
Grendul Rising, Scribner

This fragment of conversation states the theme precisely, though at this point the reader doesn’t know what S’Enrik means. Hopefully the reader will be taken on a journey (along with the characters) to answer his question.

I like it. Sometimes, blunt and open is the way to go, especially if you’re doing it at the earlier point before the journey is fully taken so you can unfold the real meaning behind the statement of the theme as you go! So this definitely doesn’t sound like an easy book to write. What was the greatest challenge you faced while writing this, and why?

Organizing all of the plots and sub-plots. The story is fairly complicated, and it has to tie into what happened in the first “Tond” series but still be understandable to those who haven’t read those books. My solution (I think it worked, but so far no one has commented on it) is to make this a Book of Questions. Though the major plotlines reach a conclusion, it’s definitely part one of a series and there are a lot of hints that will only come to fruition in later books. One character seems to have some kind of powers, but has no memories from earlier in his life. Another is on a quest to answer “seven questions”; by the end of the book he says he’s found the answer to one of them but doesn’t say what the other six are. Two characters have been given missions, but we don’t know what either mission really is, who gave the orders, or why. There are a number of other disconnected comments and incidents; this includes the book’s cover: why the moon-horse? It’s an image from some of the “folklore” I made up, it but doesn’t seem particularly relevant at this point. Of course I, as the author, know the answers to these questions, but answering them to the readers’ satisfaction will continue to challenge me. (Kudos to the illustrator, Cassander Garduna, for a great moon-horse.)

Those more complex stories can definitely be tough to work with, especially with all the things you have to tie together and keep track of! It sounds like you came up with an interesting solution to it, though! So what was the easiest part of writing this story?

The several descriptions of the world of Tond (both of nature and of cultural details). These were easy simply because I enjoy imagining and inventing things, and then writing about them.

That’s always one of the fun things about writing fantasy! There’s no real limit to what you can come up with to make your world unique. Along the same lines of favorites as we had earlier with your favorite scenes, who was your favorite character to write?

I have two. 1.) The aforementioned Nanta Hornblower, because she’s associated with music (another one of my interests), enjoys nature, doesn’t take guff from anyone, and (like me) is a bit nerdy and weird. 2.) S’Enrik; at this point he’s a sort-of Gandalf/Obi-Wan character, but he has a long backstory that touches on Tondish philosophy. I hope to flesh that out in the second book of the series.

Sounds like you’ve got a few fun characters to play with, then. Now, I always like to ask about influences, so can you tell us which books you feel had the greatest impact on your writing and why they did?

For the entirety of the two “Tond” series: Obviously, Tolkien’s “The Lord of the Rings” and Herbert’s “Dune” books. Little needs to be said here; most modern fantasy is indebted to them. A more subtle influence is from James Joyce’s “Ulysses” and Jerry Spinelli’s “Stargirl”. These are very different books (one is a short kids’ book; the other is a sprawling tome that’s not even remotely for kids) but the odd similarities are features that I’ve tried to invoke in “Tond”: both show mythic archetypes appearing in everyday life (though in the case of Tond, that “everyday life” is in a made-up realm) and both immerse the reader in a tiny fictive world that stands for the entire universe. (The “tiny world” does not apply to Tond, though it does stand for wider ideas.) And, I might add (though I don’t know if I’ve been able to imitate this), both are veritable fountains of quotables and gorgeous prose.

For this book in particular: I recently started reading N.K. Jemisin’s “Broken Earth Trilogy”, and her manner of telling the story (separate timelines that come together as the book progresses) helped me solve some problems with the narratives in this new “Tond” book. As I’m planning it now, the first three books of The MadStones Tetralogy will all be told in this manner.

Great influences to have! I haven’t read all of them, but I’ve heard they’re all very good! On the subject of books, let’s end off by talking about some comparisons for readers who might be interested in reading your book. What books would you say Grendul Rising is most like?

Hard to say. It’s along the lines of a lot of fantasy with its invented world, cultures, and languages. Maybe the “Dune” books are closest because of the mix of fantasy and sci-fi (though, unlike the “Dune” books, the fantasy element is the stronger of the two) and the exploration of history, politics, and religion (though again, the takes on these topics are very different from Herbert’s). Mostly, I hope the readers will enjoy this book and make their own comparisons.

I think that’s what we all hope! Well, thank you again for being a guest on the blog, and readers, I hope you’ve enjoyed what you’ve read today from Steven. If you did, be sure to check out his Tond series and Grendul Rising! That’s it for today, everyone. See you next time!

Author’s Interview: Olive M. Creed

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Hi everyone! Ariel here with another author’s interview. Today’s author is Olive Creed, the author of Fallen King, the first fantasy novel in the series Chronicles of Elyndia. Thanks for being here with me today, Olive! I’m so glad to have you. As we’re starting off the interview today, could you tell us all a bit about yourself?

I’m a homeschool graduate who lives on a homestead with my family. When I’m not chasing chickens or writing, I like to experiment in the kitchen, paint, and play around with graphic design!

That’s wonderful! I’m also a homeschool grad myself, and I grew up out in the country with chickens and a giant garden, so I can relate. It can be lots of fun, though it’s also a lot of work! So, as I noted in the introduction, you do write fantasy, but what type of fantasy do you write, and do you write any other genres? Then, as a follow up, can you tell us why you chose that style or flavor of writing?

I write Fantasy, and it ranges from what I call Cowboy Fantasy (historical fantasy that’s not really based on one specific time period) to Dystopian Fantasy. I love dabbling in different genres, but love the world building that comes with Fantasy. I’ve attempted writing Modern Day Fiction, but it always ends up Fantasy!

That’s really interesting. I’ve never heard the term Cowboy Fantasy before, so you’ve taught me something new. I love historical fantasy though, so I’m sure it would be right up my alley! I also know what you mean about things always ending up fantasy. I’ve dabbled with sci-fi, but somehow, I always end up with either pure fantasy or cross-genre fiction with fantasy as the main genre. Now, most authors are also readers. So tell us, what genres do you read, and do you write the same ones?

I read a lot of different genres when I have the time to sit down and focus. As long as there’s no sex (preferably very little romance) no gore, and no horrible language, I’ll give it a shot! Though, currently, most of my books in my meager collection is Fantasy, LOL.

That makes perfect sense. A lot of authors seem to mostly read the genres they write, I find. If we enjoy reading it, chances are high we’ll also like writing it, though that’s only a general rule. So besides reading and writing, what are some of the things you like to do to relax?

I like to Role Play with friends, paint, bake, and cuddle chicks. Sometimes I’ll read or watch something, but it’s usually too much to focus on when I’m trying to relax, LOL

I hear you there! I like to watch things to relax, but often I need something that’s not going to require a lot of focus if I’m really going to relax. Even better is an activity totally unrelated to work! As someone who edits and writes for a living, it’s not always relaxing to go sit down and write or edit my own projects off work hours! I definitely understand wanting something else, and these activities sound like awesome ways to take a break physically and mentally. So this is one of the fun questions! What can you tell us about your current work-in-progress?

My current WIP is book three in my Chronicles of Elyndia series. It’s called Tainted Throne. I can’t say too much without spoiling the two previous books, but there’s lots of pirates in it!

Oh, how fun! I love pirates. They always make things more entertaining! So I kind of spoiled the answer to this question since I noted that you’re the author of the first book in the Chronicles of Elyndia series, but… I’ll ask anyway… If you’ve published (self-published or traditionally published), can you tell us a little about the experience? If this is your first experience, what has that been like?

I’m indie published, published my first book in August. I…still have not quite grasped marketing yet!

It was a little overwhelming hiring out edits and formatting and all that, but at the same time, it’s very rewarding! My editor has been a tremendous help keeping me sane and helping me along, and I’m very thankful for her!

That’s great! Sounds like you found yourself an excellent teammate to work with from the start. Editors really can make or break the process of prepping a book for publishing, and I’m glad you found a good one, especially for a first experience! So for the next question, let’s talk about gaining inspiration. For your current series, what were your inspirations for writing?

I take a lot of experiences I’ve had, blow them up to Fantasy Proportions, and then throw them onto my characters, LOL. Book one in my series, Fallen King, was inspired by a random image that came to mind one day while I was doing homework with my best friend. It was a lone survivor, bleeding and more dead than alive, standing in the middle of a massacre.

Those are some interesting sources of inspiration! It’s really neat to hear about where other authors get their ideas from. I work a lot like you do from the sounds of it, since I also tend to grab experiences I’ve had, things I’ve observed, and random inspirations that hit while living life to inspire my work. So now that we know a bit about your writing and your process, can you tell us who got you into writing when you first started?

My mum really got me into it. She’s a book worm, and I’ve been a storyteller since I could talk. I would entertain my younger sisters at bedtime with the most outrageous stories in existence! As I got older, my mum started encouraging me to write down my stories and learn how to write an actual book. My first attempts will never see the light of day! (Especially since most were lost in a house fire, LOL)

Oh, no! That’s so sad. I know I always smile a bit looking back at old work because it really shows how much progress I’ve made up to now, so I can’t even imagine losing the ones I felt were worth keeping to a fire! But it’s great that you had the encouragement to start writing from your mom! It’s always nice when family comes alongside to support you as a writer. Speaking of support, was there anyone who came alongside you at any point when you were struggling in your writing journey and made a real difference? If so, who and why?

My two best friends. I would not still be writing today if it wasn’t for them. One has been my best friend since before I started writing, and has encouraged me the entire way. Even when book after book was a complete “failure”. My other best friend, I met almost two years ago as I was editing the Chronicles of Elyndia series (back when it was one ginormous book with no consistent plot and a complete overwhelming mess.) She helped me straighten everything out and encouraged me to keep going when I wanted to quit.

Wow! Sounds like you had really solid friends. I’m glad they kept you writing! In light of your own journey as a writer, what advice would you give to aspiring authors and writers just starting on the writing journey?

The first book you write is likely not going to be the one you publish. And that’s okay! Don’t let anyone tell you that you’re wasting your time. You’re learning and perfecting the art of writing, and that takes time! Just write, and write for yourself first.

And if you want to write the craziest, whackiest, weirdest story ever, then write it! One, if you don’t enjoy what you write, chances are, neither will anyone else. And two, people love weird, crazy stories.

Those are definitely good points to keep in mind. I know I didn’t publish my very first book, and I actually published one that I later unpublished because it really never should’ve seen the light of day. It happens, and when we’re learning, we’re going to learn in different ways and make mistakes as we go. And the weirder the story, the better in writing, just as long as it makes sense! Sometimes the weirdest stories are the ones that most hold attention as you’re reading. In the same grain as the last question, what is one thing you wish someone had told you before you started writing?

Don’t take criticism from people who haven’t read your story. And, even if they have, just because they say something is wrong doesn’t necessarily mean it’s wrong. Use your Authorly Wisdom to discern what actually needs fixing, or what is just something they aren’t a fan of.

Oh, yes! That’s a great point. I don’t know that I ever did that because my earliest writing experiences were with family as readers and critics and then with critique groups. But everyone and their mother will have an opinion, even if they haven’t read it. The worst thing to do is work off an opinion from someone who has zero context to form an opinion with! So, we’ve come to the last question, and I’ve tried to make this a fun one, though I know it’s a tough one for a lot of authors! What’s your favorite book, and who’s your favorite literary character? Why?

My favorite book ever is Dare, from The Blades of Acktar series by Tricia Mingerink. Favorite character? Leith Torren from The Blades of Acktar! *cue the fangirling* He’s a sweet, adorable, tough-as-nails assassin, and I love him!

Sounds like my kind of character! Well, that’s all for today, folks. Thank you for hanging out with me and Olive for the interview, and thank you again for taking the time to answer the questions I had, Olive! Best of luck to you with the rest of your series and your future writing endeavors!

Readers, if you want to check out Olive’s first-in-series, Fallen King, you can find it here. You can also follow Olive on Instagram and Facebook to see any updates she may post. Once again, thank you for being here, and I hope you’ll take a moment to check out Olive’s book and social media pages!

Author’s Interview: Jenna Terese

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Hi all! I’m back with another author’s interview. Please welcome Jenna Terese! I’m delighted to have her on the blog as this interview has been in the works for a while. Thanks to the Iron Walls release and then coming down with two different illnesses in a row, the interview had to be postponed, but we are finally here with Jenna! Thank you for being here, Jenna, and thank you for the patience you had as I worked to find time and the health to do this! Let’s go ahead and dive right in.

To start, I always like to ask authors to tell my audience a bit about themselves, so if you wouldn’t mind, could you tell us a little bit about yourself?

First of all, thank you so much for having me! I am a Christian young adult author passionate about how art affects the world and on a mission to impact people through stories. I’m also a booknerd, Marvel geek, musician, and plant mom.

As I said, I’m glad to have you on, finally! So the next thing I’m sure everyone’s curious about is what kind of genres you write. And as a follow up, why did you choose that style or flavor of writing?

I write mainly science fiction, but I’ve also got a few fantasy ideas in the works. 😉 I used to write only historical fiction, but once I read my first speculative fiction book I was hooked. I love the freedom of creativity I have with sci-fi and fantasy. There are no limits, and that excites me.

That’s wonderful! Perfect fit for this blog, too! We love all things speculative fiction over here, though most of the authors I’ve had on write mainly fantasy. I personally love a good historical fiction novel too, so it’s neat that you started out there! Now, shifting gears from writing to reading, what genres do you read, and do you write the same ones?

I read mainly fantasy and sci-fi. I definitely draw inspiration from what I read for my writing.

I think you’re in good company there! Most of us write what we enjoy and read it too. So besides writing, which most writers know can be either relaxing or extremely stressful depending on the day, what are some of the things you like to do to relax?

Reading, of course. 😉 I also love to play the piano, knit occasionally, and make aesthetic Pinterest boards for my WIPs.

All great things to do! I like spending time on Pinterest too, maybe a little too much. Once you’ve gone down that rabbit hole, there’s no coming back! So, focusing back on your writing, can you tell us about your current work-in-progress?

I published my debut novel Ignite (YA sci-fi/superhero) this year, and I’m currently working on editing the sequel to it, Embers. That’s my main project, but I also have another sci-fi/futuristic racing novel in the works.

Congratulations! A debut novel is a really big deal. It’s great that you have the sequel in the works too. It sounds like you’re making great progress on building up your backlog of books in the new genre. Did you publish your debut traditionally or through self-publishing, and can you tell us a little about the experience? If this is your first experience, what has that been like?

I independently published my debut novel and chose that path over traditional publishing for my future books. This definitely isn’t an easy road. Indie publishing is like managing your own business, and even after I’d done a lot of research, I still didn’t feel prepared for the amount of work a book launch took. But seeing readers’ response to the book release and them sharing how much they loved it makes it all worth it. Sharing my stories with the world can be a bit scary at times, but I love sharing the characters in my head and their journeys with others.

I know what you mean! I love the control self-publishing gives me over the process, but it’s certainly a ton of work. Especially with the first novel when you don’t know what you’re doing entirely. I remember how scary that was and how stressed out I got, but it gets better even if the work load doesn’t improve! So as far as this book and others go, what were your inspirations for writing?

I get inspiration from almost anywhere. Being a visual person, I’m often inspired by things I see. Movies, shows, people, places, art, and more.

I know how that goes! I’m very similar in drawing inspiration from just about anything at all. It’s always fascinating to see what sparks an idea when you’re out and about. Can I ask, who got you into writing when you first started?

I grew up with my mom reading to me and my siblings. I loved how a story could draw you in and make you forget about the real world, take you on an adventure, and leave you craving more. That fascination is what led me to begin crafting my own stories.

That’s awesome! I also grew up with a parent in the home who loved to read to us. There’s not much better than listening to a good story, especially if the person reading does voices. As you began moving from reading to also writing, was there anyone who came alongside you at any point when you were struggling in your writing journey and made a real difference? If so, who and why?

Along with the support of my awesome family and encouraging writer friends, God has really been there through it all. I didn’t always realize it, but looking back now I can see how He’s grown me and how that translates into my writing. Whenever I’m discouraged about my writing, I can remember the truth that He gave me a love of storytelling for a reason and that my stories matter.

That’s definitely a blessing! Not every writer can say that. Speaking of other writers, especially beginners, what advice would you give to aspiring authors and writers just starting on the writing journey?

Similar to my previous answer: your stories matter. Stories have a powerful way of impacting people and you were given a passion for it for a reason. Things won’t always be easy. In fact, maybe most of it won’t. But it matters. So keep at it. And remember, practice doesn’t make perfect. Practice makes better. I believe you can’t achieve perfection in art, so don’t expect it of yourself. But keep practicing and refining your skills, and it will pay off.

That’s definitely good advice! I think we often forget that practice can’t make us perfect and get discouraged when it doesn’t, but it’s encouraging to recognize that it definitely makes us a lot better! Along the same grain, what is one thing you wish someone had told you before you started writing?

Basically, my previous answer. XD Also, I wish I’d known about the comparison trap writers struggle with before I struggled with it myself and stunted my creativity. I also wish I’d known more about making my own unique creative process, experimenting with different ways to craft my stories instead of copying others.

Yeah, those are all good things for beginning authors to know. Especially the last two you mentioned. Comparison traps are one of the biggest pitfalls a writer can fall into! And I think a lot of beginners also need to hear that it’s okay to just experiment and try things many ways without worrying about how everyone else does it! Learn from what others do and use techniques they used successfully while experimenting, but if it isn’t you, that’s okay. Move on and try something new! Now, on to the fun question that every author (really, any avid reader) hates! What’s your favorite book, and who’s your favorite literary character? Why?

It’s so hard to narrow my favorites down to one book! I’ll have to cheat a little and give my favorite series: the Out of Time series by Nadine Brandes. It inspires me as a Christian (and Christian writer). It’s a young adult sci-fi/dystopian full of suspense, emotion, and deep characters that encourage and inspire. Thank you again for interviewing me!

I know it’s not an easy question when there are so many good books to choose from! I’ll take favorite series. Usually authors end up giving me more than one, and I rarely have just one answer to the question myself!

Well, that’s it for today, everyone! Thank you again for being here today, Jenna! This was a lot of fun, and I’m sure my readers will enjoy getting to know you as much as I did. Ladies and gentlemen, if you’re reading today, Jenna’s book Ignite is available here on Amazon in Kindle, paperback, or–if you prefer to get the really nice type of hard copy–hardback. Give it a look, and if you find it interesting, maybe give it a shot! I’m sure Jenna would also love to hear from you if you have read it and enjoyed it! You can also find Jenna on the web here. That’s all for today. Until next time!

Author’s Interview – Astrid V.J.

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Hi all! Today, I have Astrid V.J., the author of short story “In Pursuit of Independence” in Iron Walls, the dystopian anthology I’m helping to release. She’s going to answer some questions for us about herself and the story she has in the anthology.

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I grew up in post-Apartheid South Africa and attended a German foreign school because my dad is German and that meant my schooling was subsidized. Growing up in the shadow of Apartheid and Nazism has definitely formed me as a person and my university studies in psychology and social anthropology reflect the concerns this background raised within me. My specialization in social anthropology is in Post Colonialism, Identity Construction and Migration, topics that still form the lynchpin of my interests today as I work alongside Muslim immigrants in Sweden. My writing has always reflected these interests, but In Pursuit of Independence is the first time I dig deep beneath the surface of human thinking and modern theory.

What kind of dystopian did you write for this anthology, and why did you choose that style or flavor of writing?

I think the closest subgenre I write to is “feminist”, although I have to admit that this particular story, being as it is in answer to some of the extreme postulations of modern feminism, cannot be classified as a feminist utopia, nor is it “anti-patriarchy” per se. It is underpinned by my personal experiences in answer to something I see troubling in the current discourse about “womanhood” and “femininity” and is not in direct opposition to “masculinity” or “manhood” although “the patriarchy” is touched on.

What genres do you read, and do you write the same ones?

I read a wide range of genres including fantasy, romance, dystopian, historical fiction and non-fiction (particularly self-help). My writing tends to span subgenres, weaving between the standard divisions. In Pursuit of Independence has elements of dystopian future, space opera, and women’s fiction, as well as taking into considerations certain postulations from psychology and other social sciences.

What are some of the things you like to do to relax?

I love reading, playing the violin, cross stitching and doing crafts with my children. We’re also frequent duck-feeders in the local park.

Can you tell us about your current work-in-progress?

I’m currently working on Warring Lions, a novella in my The Wordmage’s Tales series. This is an clean LGBTQ+ historical shifter fantasy romance following Alanna in a coming-of-age tale that combines my love of fairytales with my passion for transformational life coaching. This particular tale is dedicated to the principle of transformation: befriending your fear. It’s been a struggle to write. Even though it is one of the first Wordmage’s Tales to come to me, it has proven one of the hardest to write.

If you’ve published (self-published or traditionally published), can you tell us a little about the experience? If this is your first experience, what has that been like?

This will be my twelfth book. I’ve self-published seven books solo and two anthologies so far, as well as having participated in a USA Today list-aiming set. I love self-publishing. I enjoy having artistic control over my work. I thoroughly enjoy the process of working with my editors and my fabulous cover designer and find the process very rewarding. I definitely think the experience is coloured by the team one is able to assemble. I’ve been lucky in that I’ve managed to find the people who work very well for me and who serve my books well. I know others who’ve struggled awfully because those people whose functions should support the publishing process aren’t right for the book, or don’t have the necessary experience to help the author succeed.

What were your inspirations for writing?

In Pursuit of Independence came about as a simple exercise in putting on a particular mindset. In recent years I’ve come across a lot of statements made by hardcore feminists that I cannot relate to at all because they do not reflect my unique experiences as a woman and certain desires I’ve always had. One day, I wondered what it might be like to truly believe these postulations and internalize them, superimposing them on my personal wants and needs. This short story is the result of that exploration and my examination of what would become of me if I were subjected to such a contrast of “conscious thoughts” versus “subconscious dreams”.

Who got you into writing when you first started?

I got myself into writing. Yeah, it’s kinda funny, but I came up with an idea when I was twelve and simply started putting it down on paper. I never stopped. No one encouraged me particularly, but neither was I ever discouraged. It was just my thing and people around me accepted that. My parents did encourage reading, though, and I think that is definitely an important factor in my growth as a writer because I’ve had a solid background in a wide range of genres thanks to my parents.

Was there anyone who came alongside you at any point when you were struggling in your writing journey and made a real difference? If so, who and why?

In my twenties, I stopped believing in my writing. I considered that becoming an author was a pipe dream and not something worth pursuing. Taking the Ultimate Success Masterclass by Natalie Ledwell in 2018 helped me shift that thinking and allowed me to not only embrace my true nature as a writer, but also helped me find my calling: transformational life coaching. I have since become a certified life coach as well as having published my books.

What advice would you give to aspiring authors and writers just starting on the writing journey?

I know I’ve said this before, but I consider it of utmost importance. Write from the heart! When you’re writing what you truly believe in and what is important to you, your book can stand on its own once its been sufficiently polished. It will move people. Your truth will speak through it. That is meaningful. And it is powerful. Everything else will fall into place when your book is capable of moving people.

What is one thing you wish someone had told you before you started writing?

It’s okay to stumble and even fall. You don’t need to be perfect. Even your book doesn’t need to be perfect. There is such a thing as “good enough”, and finding that sweet spot (or lagom as the Swedes say), is crucial. Pushing yourself too hard doesn’t do you or your writing any good. It’s also not great for your social relations. Not doing enough is no good for your book or your reputation. So, trust your gut. When it says it’s “good enough”, go with it.

What’s your favorite book, and who’s your favorite literary character? Why?

This is such a difficult question for me. I have been moulded by so many books and characters, but I think today, I must honour a very influential book (and character) from my childhood. Momo by Michael Ende (yes, that’s the author of The Neverending Story) took me by storm and I recently realized the power it has exerted over me. Thanks to that book and the wonderful character, Momo, I was able to say “no” when I realized I’d been taken advantage of and that things could have ended up with me accommodating things that simply weren’t necessary. It also reminds me constantly of the importance of creativity and fun. So, I’m off to have some fun with my children, because they totally deserve to have more time with me, which has been sorely lacking for the past year and a half (due to my day job, not my writing 😉)!

Well, thank you for being here today, Astrid! It was a pleasure to learn a bit more about you and your writing. Readers, check out the new anthology here. It releases on October 26th, so pre-order a copy and check out Astrid’s story! All the proceeds are going to Voice of the Martyrs.