Welcome to our interview for this month! We are with this talented author, lavendareyes, who penned the story, Heart of Thieves.

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

lavendareyes: This story was originally created for the Open Novella Contest, so I'd say that it was developed through an abundance of different prompts and a lot of brainstorming as to how to collide them together to create a good novella. But over time, as the contest was drawing to an end, I realised that I loved this book too much to let it go, and that it was instead taking a route down to becoming a novel instead.

Yazia Paskovka, my main protagonist, was developed on the spot. I initially had the idea that she was going to be a courageous, and driven character that stirred the plot a lot with her goals for vengeance. Other characters too, were developed on the spot.

DF: What do the words "writer's block" mean to you? Have you experienced it? How did you overcome it?

L: I do not experience writer's block anymore, though I know lots of writers still regularly struggle with it. I think that it is something that can be overcome, albeit it can be difficult to get through once you're in. I was able to conquer it through a piece of advice I'd received from somebody once—if you happen to find yourself having a block, then you should look at the last couple of paragraphs you'd written, and perhaps even rewrite them. The block is usually in what you last wrote, and that's what's keeping you from going further.

Another thing that helped me to not suffer it anymore was that I like to write every day, even if it's just a few words. It has really helped the development of my projects.

DF: What is the most difficult part of your writing process?

L:  One of the most difficult things for me I'd say is starting new chapters. I hate them. I find them difficult for no apparent reason, but it's probably because I am a self-proclaimed pantser, and never know what the future of my book completely entails. Starting new chapters feels like a daunting task as it builds a path for how the story is transgressing through each chapter.

I also struggle with writing the middle parts of the book. I always have an idea about how the book plans to begin and end, but can never get the middle quite right in my head. Connecting it all can be hard.

DF: What advice would you give a writer trying to write Dark Fantasy for the first time?

L: Not only just to read fiction that contains Dark Fantasy themes, but also to write about topics you perhaps wouldn't have considered before in other books. Dark Fantasy is a very real genre, and at points you do have to highlight that in your work—that not everything is 'daisies and rainbows.' Don't trap yourself in a box, and write what scares you.

DF: What part of your story was the most fun to write?

L:  I'm still in the process of writing my story, but so far I've been enjoying a lot of it, and don't think I can point out a specific chapter or scene I've enjoyed writing more. The whole process has been super fun for me, especially considering it's the first actual book that I've been proud of.

I'd say that something I've enjoyed most if I did have to choose would be finding my main character's voice. A chance to expand on Yazia's background, and to be able to convey her emotions, her thoughts and how she would react due to a specific situation has been thrilling. Figuring out her character and hopefully making her a realistic as well as relatable one has made me passionate about developing this story.

DF: How do you find Dark Fantasy as a genre?

L: I truthfully find Dark Fantasy super fascinating. It's such an underrated genre that tackles the darkness of real-life that most individuals tend to shut away. I think that it has also given me the chance as a writer to tackle my own fears and feelings through the words and actions of the characters I've written, and that has helped me to start to heal many parts of myself and accept the very darkness within.

DF: What do you like to do when you are not writing?

L: When I am not writing, I like to take up some of my time to read instead. I think that it is a good way to learn, and to develop my craft in writing through others. I think that if I am not doing that, then I am most likely digging my hands into another creative project in graphic-designing and art. I have been doing these hobbies for too many years to count now, but lately, I've been planning to extend on paid-commissions for my work.

DF: What interesting things have you learned throughout your journey? Tell us something about it.

L: Aside from learning to not compare yourself to other writers on their different pathways, I'd say that one thing that I've learnt that has stood out to me most throughout my writing journey has been to be open to critiques and feedback. Even if at times, it's hurtful.

First of all, a critique should never hurt you, it should be there to help you develop your craft and improve as a writer, not dishearten you. But sometimes, receiving all good critiques on your work so unavoidable. You will feel at times that what you write is not good enough for others, and this can be driven by comparing oneself to others, or taking a not so welcomed critique. I've been there, and I know it hurts.

It is necessary to take each critique, especially the bad ones, with a pinch of salt. In the publishing industry, it can especially be hard to have your work feel validated, and there are always going to be readers who just don't like your book, for any reason—perhaps it's not their cup of tea. And that's okay. Know that all of these critiques you receive overall are going to develop you as a writer, and build you up. You don't have to take every piece of advice that's given to you, and don't feel that you have to either, but your hardest critics can definitely become your most important readers.

DF: What are your future plans in writing?

L: One of my biggest goals is to complete Heart of Thieves, which plans to turn into a duology. I am working on extending lots of my projects into one big multi-universe, and I'm super excited to show that to my readers and watch them connect the dots. After the duology is completed, I do have an eight novel series that I'd like to get my hands back to at one point, so the projects definitely won't stop any time soon!

Aside from that, further plans are pretty open right now but I'd like to get my work out there and perhaps publish at some point when I believe I am ready. I am always developing as a writer on and off Wattpad and I think that there is a lot more in store for me and my journey forward!

Thank you so much, lavendareyes, for being with us and agreeing to our interview. Check out their work, Heart of Thieves, to support our author!

- The Dark Fantasy Team