Children of the Ancient Heroes: Dreams and Nightmares follows two siblings who stumble upon a forbidden book of childhood legends, bending reality and sweeping them into a realm bursting with magic. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?

My children are the inspiration for this story and the coming series. Many years ago, when they were still small, I was trying my hand at a few different story ideas when they asked me to write them a story. My daughter, as my eldest, was especially fond of stories like Narnia and The Hobbit. I wanted to create a story where they went on adventures. Over time, the story grew and the names changed. More characters were added and how they arrived in the Lighted Lands changed. I am a big believer in the magic of books and how they transport us to new worlds and adventures, so I became a bit literal in this story. I wanted a story that children everywhere would love and to create a world where they could escape to whenever they needed.

What character did you enjoy writing for? Was there one that was more challenging to write for?

I loved every one of my characters so much. Each one surprised me in ways I wasn’t expecting. I had based Tirza and Eli off of my own children, but they took on their own agency and showed me that they were much like my own children, but also unique in their own ways. I love Tirza’s boldness and adventurous spirit and her desire to be a protector. I also love Eli’s wit and piercing intuition. He also has a vulnerability that makes him so honest and dear.

Probably the most challenging character was Tirza. She had undergone a lot of change from my original drafts to who she is now. Mostly due to feedback from beta readers. I didn’t want her to be cliché or wooden. I think I was trying too hard to write her rather than let her be who she is. When I let go and simply watched, that’s when her true self shone. I cannot wait to let everyone see who she becomes as the series continues.

What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?

I think that family is an especially important theme that I was surprised by as it took shape in this story (and in the stories to come). Exploring what family truly is and how it shapes us. Faith is also something that weaves its way into anything I write, intentionally or not. It was important for me to show that faith cannot simply be something we receive from our parents or grandparents, although they do play important roles, but it must be wholly experienced and chosen by us. The children needed to embrace it as their own and not something they hold to simply because that’s what they were taught.

Can you tell us where the book goes and where we’ll see the characters in the next book?

The next book is scheduled to come out on April 8th, 2025. I originally wrote the two books as one whole. It was a bit on the long side, so my publisher and I agreed that we would split it into 2 books. There will be more beyond this, though. The plan was on a trilogy for Tirza and Eli, with a prequel to follow. There might be more now.

The next book will see Tirza and Eli as they go on their separate quests to find the cure for Queen Penelope. They will meet new characters and face new dangers that will change them forever. This is where the heart-pumping action and emotional hurricane really hit.

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