HighFantasy and our collaborative profiles present to you an interview with the grand winner of the New Years Fiesta '22 contest, EchoStoriesMB, author of ❝Forget Me Not❞. 

✷

How would you describe your writing?

I would say that my writing is free formed. I don't really go in with a complete plan when I write, just the basics of characters and beginning points. I write based on how I feel and it sort of creates the book and its driving story as a whole. I also would describe it as inspirationally driven and emotionally based as what I write is highly inspired by something or someone within my daily life. As I mentioned prior, my writing is also emotional based.

Can you define high fantasy in your own words?

I would define High Fantasy as the creation of an extreme fantasy world or persons. It being a subgenre of Fantasy itself, this simply means that the worlds are not set in the real human world and the people are more extreme in their fantasy counterparts. High fantasy revolves around creating these beautiful mythical and fantastical worlds and people that do not revolve around the modern world. They exceed that in a world strictly created all things Fantasy.

What are some of your favorite fantasy books?

Harry Potter, Eragon, Lord of the Rings, just to name some well known fantasy books that I enjoy.

How did you come to take part in the New Year's Fiesta contest?

I saw the contest on my notification feed and at first I wasn't planning on joining as I didn't know if I'd have the time. I changed my mind though and am so glad that I did.

Tell us a little bit about your winning story ❝Forget Me Not❞.

To be honest, I didn't really go in with much of a mind set for this story. I saw the prompt and it kind of wrote itself. Eventually it got some inspiration from fantasy love stories and having to say goodbye to the one person you wish you didn't have to. Two hearts connecting over one world.

What elements make a good fantasy story, in your opinion?

To me, a good fantasy story is made up of multiple elements. Storyline, adventure, the many original creatures that roam the most beautiful or most dark of fantasy settings. I love imagining myself in worlds that don't exist, finding new ways of life through a world created within the imagination.

Who would you say is your writing inspiration?

My biggest writing inspiration would actually have to be my readers. Their comments and criticism has made me the author that I am today. With everything they tell me, encourage, correct me on...it makes me a better writer and to continue bettering my craft so I can be my very best and offer up the best to my readers. So, as always, I have to thank them for the writer and author I am today, they are and will always be my biggest inspiration.

If you could meet a fantasy character, who would it be?

There are so many fantasy characters out there that I would love to meet. However, if I were to meet anyone, I would want to meet Holly Short from the Artemis Fowl books. Something about her seems so driven and she doesn't let anyone get in her way or slow her down. I would love to talk to her and get to know her, learn from her and how to be a stronger person. Even the smallest of people can do great things.

In what other genres do you like writing?

I love writing in all genres, but I believe that Science Fiction, Paranormal, Romance and Horror are my favorite genres to write in. But, all my writing has at least a little touch of fantasy somewhere in there.

✷

Thank you for chatting with us EchoStoriesMB!

We offer you congratulations for your great win and wish you the best of luck for your future writing endeavors!