I’m at the coffee shop by 7am every day, where I write or edit for 6-8 hours straight, weekends included, until hunger finally drives me home.
What is the most rewarding part of writing for you?
Knowing that my characters can step beyond the confines of my imagination and find a home in readers’ hearts.
What’s your favorite part about being an author?
Knowing that someone out there enjoys the same stories I do!
How have your life experiences shaped your writing?
Living across Asia and Europe while doing business really opened my eyes. You see how different cultures approach things in completely different ways, from values to ethics to how they run organizations. And the thing is, no single way is ‘right’. This shows up in all my stories; I’m always exploring these cultural clashes and differences because I find them fascinating.
What are you most excited about with being part of this anthology?
I love seeing how everyone tackled the same theme in totally different ways. We’ve got all these different genres mixed in, which is cool because I’ve found myself enjoying stories in genres I usually skip. Hoping readers will discover some new favorites too.
How did you come up with the idea for your short story?
Yasin, my first online friend, was a creative genius who wrote a story featuring our online friend group when we were around 9-10 years old. Though it was lost and never completed, I remember that story well. A few years ago, I learned he was in a coma. I wrote “Trial by Fire” as a tribute to him, hoping that one day he’ll wake up and know that someone still remembers–and eagerly awaits–the next chapter of his story.
Is your story in the anthology a standalone short, or is it part of a series?
Standalone, but there will be a full-length novel of this short story.
Do you have other books out that you’d like to let readers know about?
The full novel-length edition of “Trial by Fire,” titled “We Met in Yggdrasil,” can be preordered now on Amazon! Also, stay tuned for my first romantasy, “The Forest Edge,” launching on Kickstarter in March.
For readers who love epic fantasy, start the Alliance series with Book 1, “Knights of the Alliance.” Plus, grab “Of Miracles and Promises” and “Echoes of Enmity” for FREE from your favorite retailer.
