Fantasy Authors Interview

Meet Scarlett Drake

                                  Interviewer: mikaelkrownmk

Here's another awesome fantasy writer who goes by ScarletteDrake. She's the author of the famous novella, Blood of Azura. Following the success of her first-ever Fantasy story, Scarlett decided to write its sequel, Sins of Calate. Let's hear what she's got to say.

What's the hardest scene to write for any of your stories?

I'm writing my first ever fantasy story at the moment and so I think I find battle scenes the hardest. They intimidate me. I don't understand how writers do this so well. I'm already at the end of my sequel and have had one small battle scene across both stories! I avoid them and instead write lots of angst and heartbreak and dialogue scenes. Though recently I read Dune for the first time and as a LOT of the action/battle scenes in it take place off screen I'm thinking I could absolutely go down this route.

Is there a book that is featured in our reading list that is your favorite?

Um...... my own? Listen, I put a lot of work into it! I LOVE this book like it's a child!

Describe your perfect writing area?

Sunday afternoon. Housework done. Nice Spotify/You Tube Playlist playing, Inspiration tap on full blast.

Define Fantasy in your own words?

The ultimate escape from real life. Where anything is possible, where your imagination comes alive to its fullest, and where proper magic exists!

What's your favorite fantasy story on Wattpad?

Without a doubt: The Lost Valor of Love by @ea_carter. It was a mix of historical Fiction and fantasy - two of my favourite things - and it truly blew my whole world apart when I first read it. I cried into the night at my first read. I think the truly magical thing about Wattpaf is that after you have an experience like that with a story on here, you can send the author a message that you know they will read and just express how deeply their work meant to you. I did that - in a typical fangirl way - and the author was so generous and beautiful about it. But that connection is really special on here.
And my second fave - not that you asked - is an Urban Paranormal Fantasy by @LittleCinnamon called Playing Dead. I read it a few years ago over Christmas and it absolutely blew my mind. Its a modern take on the traditional Vampire/Werewolf story but done with such a dark and gritty feel with absolutely beautiful world building to boot. I just ADORED it!

What Fantasy sub-genre is the easiest for you to write? 

Well this is the first fantasy story I've every written and to make it easy for myself I decided to go ALL the way in with HIGH FANTASY. New language, New World, New Magic Structure. What can I say? I love stress and pain.

What was the first story you read on Wattpad?

Honestly, I can't remember. It was probably a Historical Fiction book by Gemma Lawrence (@GemmaLawrence31) She has a Few amazing ones on her page!

What TV shows are you obsessed with right now?

Well it's Christmas so not only is it the season to be jolly its also the season of the bingewatch. It has also been a year for staying at home and watching a WHOLE LOT of TV. The best things I've seen this year are: The Great, Normal People, Raised by Wolves (which was WILD.) The Mandalorian. But mainly I'm watching BTS videos on You Tube ,)

Read the book or watch the movie?

READ.THE.BOOK

Winter or summer?

A few years ago I'd have said Winter every time: cozy clothes, warm fires, and snuggled in front of the TV. YES PLEASE. However we moved to a little house in a little village in the country and so now as we have a delightful back garden, something i always dreamed of, and so now I always pick summer!

Can you tell us about what you're currently writing?

The sequel to my first ever fantasy story (Blood of Azura). Sins of Calate. I've just announced the sequel to that, and the last volume in a planned trilogy.

What would you like to tell up and coming writers out there?

Write like you never expect anyone to read your work. The most fun and freedom I ever had while writing was while I wrote my first book offline. I genuinely never thought anyone would every read it - I hadn't even heard of Wattpad at this point - and I just used it as a chance to escape the boredom and mundane of life for a few hours each night. Also, read. READ, READ, READ. Readers make the best writers - I don't make the rules!

Thank you ScarletteDrake for your time spent on this interview.