In Imperatora, a forester, a priestess, and an enchantress fight to find their way home from the uncharted realm into which they have been forced. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?

Keeping in mind it took me a few years to figure out exactly how to start this story and which point of views to give it, I actually found my inspiration in tabletop roleplaying games. The whole “you’re stolen away to this crazy new place” trope was so effective at creating immediate tension, I was compelled to use it. The funnest part was figuring out the why, and building the mysteries and events that would lead up to that answer.

Did you plan the tone and direction of the novel before writing, or did it come out organically as you were writing?

I needed a plan. I wanted pieces of a puzzle that would come together and lead to some “aha” moments, and I didn’t trust I myself to achieve that effectively without thinking it through ahead of time. That said, you get a lot of ideas as you write, and things can definitely change, which I love. So, I’m an architect who also likes to garden, if we go with GRR Martin’s analogies about the types of writers.

Tone was a different beast. As a new writer, I had some insecurities about whether the tone I intended and what was actually on the page were the same. I worked closely with an experienced editor to reassure me.

What were some challenges you felt were important to defining your characters in this story?

I was writing the answer to this question and had to backtrack because their challenges also unveil their arcs if I want to fully explain their importance. I’ll try again, but more vague, haha.

Hellion, a priestess of battle, losing touch with her god once she’s in Al’idris is a double-whammy of loss for her, but while something is lost, something new is gained. The growth will be found in how she handles it.

Desde’s challenge is that she is not suited to the world she now finds herself trapped in. She’s never used her magic for violence, she’s lived a comfortable life where little else mattered to her but rubbing elbows with high society and indulging herself. Growing deep bonds, being tested over and over again, these things have a profound effect on her.

Ell having drawn the attention of an unsavory creature is unfortunate for her, but provides her with opportunities for change and growth. Oh boy, non-spoiler-y writing is hard.

Can you give us a peek inside Book 2 in this series? Where will it take your characters?

To the southwest of Al’idris is the kingdom of Laith, a place ruled by the tyrannical lich king, Stryge. He is uniquely capable of aiding our protagonists in achieving their ultimate goal of returning home, but what he takes in return is difficult to accept. I bring in a cast of his children— vampires and abominations, each with their individual personalities—to welcome Desde, Hellion, Ell, and Axel into this lovely new land.

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