Welcome to our interview for this month! We are with the award-winning author, blueblossomtea, who penned the story, The Nine Dragon Gods for our monthly prompt contest.

Dark Fantasy Team: When did you start writing this story? How was your journey through it?

blueblossomtea: I originally intended this to be a small drabble between friends until I got a notification that Dark Fantasy was hosting a tournament and it fit perfectly with the prompt! It was truly fate! My journey to writing this short story was truly a mess of emotions, both joyful and sad. I only intended this to be shown between friends and suddenly, it turned into something I wasn't quite expecting. I'm both sad that "The Nine Dragon Gods" ended, but I couldn't have been happier to see my finished work!

DF: What was the most difficult part of writing your story? What was the easiest?

b: The hardest part was writing the action scenes closer to the end! The easiest would be describing their emotions, thoughts!

DF: Is there a character in your story that is most similar to you or someone that you know?

b: All of my characters have small traits or quirks that I often do or act out, but none of my characters are the most similar to anyone or myself!

DF: Did you have to do any research for your story? If so, what kind?

b: Yes! I researched about dragons in Chinese mythology! I put my twist on the mythological creatures with something I've been working on for quite some time! I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did writing it!

DF: What do you think makes a good story?

b: Personally, I think being descriptive with your character's emotions and thoughts makes a good story. It allows the reader to understand ( including the writer ) about the characters, maybe even learning something you wouldn't have thought of. It allows you to connect on a deeper level than before through small actions like rubbing the pads of their thumb over their fingernails. Maybe their eye twitches when they're overwhelmed. The smallest of details can make the biggest impact!

DF: If you could describe your story in two words, what would it be?

b: Dragon Gods!

DF: What are you currently reading?

b: I'm currently finishing Sha Po Lang by Priest!

DF: Are there any authors, stories, or books that have inspired you to want to become a writer?

b: The author that truly inspired me ( when I was young ) was Erin Hunter! She was one of the first series I had ever read! Regarding books, I think every book that I've read until this point ( including the future ) has inspired me to become a writer ( even more so now ). The way these authors evoke such emotion to their everlasting effects. I truly hope I can make an everlasting effect like these authors have done to me!

DF: How do you balance life and trying to write stories at the same time?

b: Ah, I'm not sure myself! I do my best to set aside an hour dedicated to writing, but sometimes it doesn't work out that way! I write ideas if I'm busy and don't have the time to write something; later on I'll flesh out those ideas when I have enough time.

Thank you so much, blueblossomtea, for being with us and agreeing to our interview. Check out the award-winning story, The Nine Dragon Gods, to support our author!

- The Dark Fantasy Team