Vanir, Guardian follows a young man who’s heritage is revealed and danger surrounds him as he stands on the precipice of intergalactic war. What was the inspiration for the setup to your story?

I really wanted to explore Nordic mythology as real and that was the original idea for Vanir, Guardian. What if all the stories and legends were based on real events, but occurring via a visit from extra-terrestrial beings, rather than supernatural stories. That gave me a broad brush to explore Nordic tales but fit them into a science fiction narrative. The children in the tale are based on my children, the characteristics and the interaction between them is modelled on their reactions, my musings on how they would read tif faced with the challenges of Zeke, Martha and Elijah (and in the sequel, Tabitha). And finally Australia is the start of the story, because I’m Australian and the contrast between Australia and Svalbard is fascinating.

Ezekiel is an intriguing and well developed character. What were some ideas that informed his character development?

Zeke is naturally shy, and he has to learn to confront his fears to grow. I really wanted to explore his character arc as he confronts his real heritage, and all of the challenges that he faces. I really wanted to show a main male character who is not naturally tough or adventurous, and has to work really hard to overcome his anxiety and fear.

Vanir, Guardian is a genre-crossing novel with elements of a science fiction, fantasy, and Norse mythology. Did you start writing with this in mind, or did this happen organically as you were writing?

That’s the model I had in mind when i started, but it grew organically as the story developed.

This is book one of the Stormerki prophecy. What can readers expect in book two?

Look forward to the development of the main characters as the story arc continues. And of course, a thrilling story, suspense, battles, epic action!

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