innovate-issue-005

Question 1How long have you been writing?I have been writing for as long as I can remember, before I could write I was always imagining up and acting outstories and telling them to my pets, mom and sister. Fairytales and bedtime stories were a big part of mychildhood and I believe this is where the love for writing and reading started. Then, during school, wheneverthere was something to do with creative writing I was over the moon. I started writing my first ‘real’ book when Iwas 15 and had it published when I was 19. Since then I have really been growing and learning as a writer andoften are overwhelmed by the amount of stories in my head.Question 2What is the earliest work of yours that you have published or intend to publish?My earliest ‘real’ book is entitled ‘Sylvan Elf Tears’ and it is the first of what I wanted to be a series. Althoughreaders have really enjoyed the first one, I unfortunately don’t have enough readers interested to afford topursue having the next one published with the same company seeing that the sales for the first were so bad.It is the story of two brothers in a magical land and their journey to becoming men. They have to travel acrossthe Nine Nations to confront an enemy that is not only sly but ruthless and cruel. Along the way secrets come tolight, relationships are tested, friendships are made and strange things are encountered. The brothers learn tofight from a warlord and must find the strength within themselves to confront the darkness that wishes to tear allthey love away from them and plunge their beloved land into darkness. They are joined by other companionsand a myriad of adventures follow.Question 3Who were the earliest authors to be an inspiration for your writing?There are so many, but I think the main inspiration for my writing, without a doubt would be J.R.R. Tolkien.Since my first introduction to his work when I was 9 years old, I have been head over heels in love with his workand having read The Lord of the Rings over 10 times, Middle Earth has become a solid part of my soul. Theheroes and journeys of the characters of Middle Earth have not only taught me about how to tell a story, butthey have also attributed to who I am as a person. I also gained a lot of inspiration and learned a lot from thewriting of Gene Stratton Porter and her ability to describe settings in a flawless manner that sets yourimagination aflame and really makes you feel strongly for the characters.