• There are many books out there about Romantasy. What makes yours different?

If I’m to be completely honest, I would have to divulge that romance novels, and romantasy at that, are not my cup of tea. A good read for me would be a historical fiction, so that I find myself writing a romantasy, and a series, is somewhat ironic, but in a good way, because I absolutely love the story I have written. I fell in love with the characters and the relationships that developed among them.

What’s interesting about my story is that it is written almost entirely in dialogue, and the story is revealed through the characters’ conversation, with me weaving together bits and pieces to create a cohesive story line.

I think you get a visceral feel for the story; actually, hearing the characters’ voices as you follow along makes for a more interactive and dynamic reading experience.

• What made you write a book about Romantasy? 

A fun fact: this book was initially intended to be a children’s book containing several bedtime stories I told to my nieces ten years ago. It’s my way of paying homage to our wonderful times together.

As I began to write the story, it took on a life of its own, morphing into this fantastic, elaborate series with an intriguing story line. For me, the joy in writing this book was the unknown- not having a clear set of objectives, but living through the experiences with the characters as the story unfolded.

I would burst into laughter while writing, amused and surprised, as I realized I was writing adult fiction, and not a children’s book.

• Where do you write?

I work an 8-hour shift, so finding time to write during my workweek was a struggle till I finally found a schedule that worked for me. I do most of my writing between 2 and 5am, propped up in bed with pillows behind my back. I place my MacBook on top of a sturdy book, one of my college art books, and rest it on my lap. When that position became uncomfortable, I would sit upright on the bed.

Neither position is conducive to writing, but they work for me. The slight discomfort keeps me alert, and my eyes, heavy with sleep, remain open. On my days off, I would write continuously to the point of exhaustion at the dining room table. My one saving grace gazing during these brutal hours is munching on pistachios and dark chocolate while listening to David Tolk and Ghostly Kisses.

• Which was the hardest character to write?

BY far, the most complex character to write was Yilmaz. Given he’s so much larger than life, his intelligence, personality, and life experience place him in a league of his own, where he almost seems unreal.

I feared he would come off as arrogant, entitled, and misunderstood. My task

was to make him stand out as cut above the rest while also showcasing his humane attributes, making him likable and relatable, yet still in a league of his own.

You get a sense of these two dynamics in how he relates to people at every class level, showing respect and genuine care for them, while still maintaining a distance that does not appear cold, detached or pompous.

• If you could go back in time, where would you go?

The Sermon on the Mount has always intrigued me since childhood. I remember watching the movie Ben-Hur with my mother during Lent, and the scene with Jesus delivering the Beatitudes on the Mount captivated my curiosity so much so that it has been etched into my memory.

As a Christina and one who espouses its values, I struggle as most do, but I believe in the faithfulness of God’s word as truth. Therefore, to have been there on that faithful day, to hear Jesus’s voice and be in his holy presence would have been a mind-altering experience for me.

You began drafting this story during your undergraduate years. What was it like balancing academic life and writing a novel?

It was a great escape mechanism. Carnegie Mellon can be an intense place, especially balancing an additional major in the School of Computer Science. It took a lot of trial and error, but I eventually learned to carve out small spaces in my day just for creativity. I made a simple rule for myself: ten minutes of writing before bed, no matter what.

To make that possible, I got into the habit of finishing assignments and work responsibilities early. A lot of my friends and I had to become efficient with our time just to stay afloat there. But for me, writing was the part of the day I looked forward to most. It wasn’t just another task—it was a place to log out of the real world and log into the Carousel.

You illustrated your own cover. How has being an artist affected your career as an author?

Being both an artist and a writer means I experience the story through images just as much as words. The lighting, the color palette, the negative space between characters—it’s all there before I write a single sentence. Designing the cover myself felt like completing a full circle. Art taught me patience, attention to detail, and that silence can be part of storytelling too.

Which character was the hardest for you to write—and which one came the easiest?

Hardest: Lyo. He’s charismatic, witty, reckless, and sharp—and it took me some time to think up the verbal comebacks he liked to throw at his opponents.

Easiest: Jasper. We’re the same personality type (INFJ) and I appreciate his love for writing and observing the world. It’s a quiet energy that lends itself to a lot of overthinking.

Do you have any writing rituals or habits that help you stay focused?

I use FocusWriter, which sets me up with a calming background and no distractions. If I’m experiencing writer’s block, I like to draw and paint. Sometimes, switching mediums can help keep the inspiration flowing.

What are your main characters’ bad habits?

Lyo smokes. He’s also a messy guy, and maybe gambles a little more than he should.

Jasper likes to keep his emotions bottled up until they explode. He copes through liquor.

They’re doing so well!

What’s next for you?

Book Two of the Carousel series is coming out soon, and then after that, Book Three. I have a few other stories that I want to refine, but for now I’m focusing on this one. All I can say is that there’s a lot of content coming!