What’s the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Dragon Fires Rising: Books 1-3: The Complete Box Set?
Two things: One, I wanted to do a more lighthearted humorous fantasy tale than my usual epic fantasy stories because Covid has been so hard for everyone. Two, I wanted to play with the dominant racial power dynamic and so have a black female protagonist who is, by definition, the most beautiful woman in the world, and all these white knights would swoon at her feet.
So while it is a funny tale, a turn-around of the “Dragon kidnaps princess” trope, it does have a few more serious elements thrown in. I grew up under apartheid and so race/diversity has become a recurrent theme in my writing.
If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of Dragon Fires Rising: Books 1-3: The Complete Box Set, what would they be?
Azania “This girl is on fire” (Alicia Keys), Thundersong “Bohemian Rhapsody” (Queen – ‘thunderbolts and lightning, very very frightening me!’).
What’s your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?
Yes indeed. Fantasy all the way!
What books are on your TBR pile right now?
Ava Richardson – Torvald Dragon Riders.
What scene in your book was your favorite to write?
It’s the one where Azania and Thundersong come across a white prince bathing in a river, and he gets so terrified he sprints off downriver with his bare buttocks flashing in the sunshine.
Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)
I have a set of favourite epic dragon music tracks that I fairly much always listen to when I’m writing.
Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?
Life’s too short to treat people with anything but love.
If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?
Different is not threatening. It is beautiful.
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