Welcome to our first interview for this month! We are with this talented author Queen_of_life_Heba who penned the story, Genesis The Story Retold.

Dark Fantasy Team: How did you come up with this story?

Queen_of_life_Heba: It would be safe to say that my untamed obsession with ancient history, especially Egyptian history was the inspiration/idea to come up with this story.

DF: Tell us something about your protagonists.

Q: I have three main characters. The first one is Pharaoh Tutankhamun, the serious, rational and loving king of one of the two kingdoms of Egypt. He has a tragic past full of pain and betrayals. He sometimes is too hard on himself and has otherworldly abilities which he cannot explain or control. His love interest is Ankhesenpaaten, the naive but courageous princess of the other Egyptian kingdom. She is a creative soul with a curious mind who is ready to protect her motherland and family at any cost, even if it means [giving] up her life for. Just like her lover, she too has abilities which she can't understand or control. The last leading character is Meritheka, a renowned magician and priestess. She is caring to all around her and is wise and practical. Yet at times pride creeps up into her actions, which is one of the biggest reasons as to why she is unable to comprehend the messages conveyed to her by the gods at times.

DF: How do you think a story is considered Dark Fantasy?

Q: I think the plot and the behaviour of the characters makes a book dark fantasy. Considering the fact that dark fantasy is darker, much more frightening part of the vast genre that is fantasy, it shall only be appropriate if a book in that genre contains it enchanting gloom and darkness.

DF: Tell us about your process in building dark fantasy scenes and worlds.

Q: I like to imagine the scene or the world before penning them down. The gloom of the world, the darkness it hides, the horror and sometimes the gore of the scene seems to excite my mind and form vivid images. That is how I built my dark fantasy world and scenes.

DF: What is your writing journey? Tell us about it especially your journey with your dark fantasy book.

Q: Ever since I was a child of five, I found the world of writing to be interesting and intriguing! Back then I used to write only poems and short stories. It was only after I was eleven, I had started writing the draft of my dark fantasy book. Then, after years of revision and editing, this story finally saw the light of the world on a sunny day of May 2020, when I published this story on Wattpad. And today, here I am getting interviewed for the first ever story of mine!

DF: Are you writing other genres? If yes, how do you think dark fantasy compares to the other genres you're writing? What are the challenges in writing dark fantasy?

Q: Yes, I do write other genres, like historical fiction, poetry, mystery thriller and paranormal, most of which I sprinkle with a bit of dark fantasy, since it's such a fluid genre! And as for the challenges in writing dark fantasy, I'd have to say it is the world building. If that is not done properly, the story shall never form.

DF: Do you consider yourself a plotter or a pantser? How does that work with writing dark fantasy?

Q: I'm a pantser and dark fantasy is just like that: unexpected and chaotic!

DF: A mirror is known to show a person their deepest desires. What do you think it will show you?

Q: This is a great question! Truly, a mirror does show our deepest desires. As for me, I think it will show me surrounded by uncountable men and women, all looking at me with love and respect. I wish to do something good for the world and give love to all without condition. In this society where trust, respect and love are all dying, I want to revive it and bring forth a new dawn. Perhaps that is what the mirror might show!

DF: What are the goals you'd like to accomplish in the future whether at Wattpad or in your writing career?

Q: I dream of winning the Wattys and joining the paid programme. Also, I wish to be a published author and present my creations to the world. Who knows, how many hearts shall I win with my words?

The WattpadDarkFantasy team would like to thank Queen_of_life_Heba for agreeing to the interview and providing us some more insight on their story, Genesis The Story Retold! Be sure to check it out and support the author!

- The Dark Fantasy Team