We've got another awesome Fantasy author for you today. She can't write without music, and you'd be surprised what she refers to as "the bane of her existence"! Please welcome, TheConfusedTurtle and let's hear what she's got to say.

What is your Wattpad username?

TheConfusedTurtle

Is there a story to how you got your username? Tell us about it!

I struggled to come up with a username for awhile. I wanted it to be cute, easy to remember, but still keep some of my personality. I landed on "turtle" because I've always loved turtles and I just thought it was cute, haha. As for "confused," I'm really not sure how I got there. I think it just felt like a good fit for "turtle." And thus, TheConfusedTurtle was born! Not super earth shattering, I know.

What or Who inspired you to write?

I read a lot as a kid. I consumed books faster than any media, and I think I was always carrying one around with me wherever I went. When I learned that I could write my own, I became obsessed with the idea! It was amazing to think about how I could create characters, worlds, and stories of my own for others to enjoy as I enjoyed everything I read as a kid. I loved seeing the excitement in my friends' faces whenever I shared my work with them--it's what made it all worth it!

Share a favorite quote with us!

"You can always edit a bad page. You can't edit a blank page."

Can you describe your perfect writing area?

I like to be alone when I write and I like to have my music blaring. I love to be inside at a desk with the sunlight streaming through the windows, or at night, with the room dark and my fairy lights on. The most important things though are a comfy seat, my music, and something to write with. The other things are just extra to keep me in the zone longer.

Describe Fantasy as a genre in your own words.

To me, fantasy is magic and adventure. It's the freedom to go anywhere and be anyone. The rules are what you make them, and the world is how you shape it. It's all in your hands! Fantasy is complete and total creativity, so make it what you want it to be!

Please tell us about your story/stories on Wattpad so that our readers can discover your works.

My most recent work is Ashes to Ashes, a fantasy romance about an assassin who is sent to kill the cursed princess of a neighboring kingdom. However, when he learns that things may not be as they seem, the assassin must decide if he should fulfill his mission or work together with the princess to save her kingdom. It's got magic, enemies to lovers, and a grumpy cat. What's not to love?

One of my other works, Of Spellbooks and Thieves, was recently published in October! It's a high fantasy adventure about a young man on a desperate search to reclaim what was stolen from him: a precious spellbook. Although, there is only a sample of this work present on Wattpad at the moment.

My third and final work that I will throw at you is To Catch A Unicorn. Ever wanted to read about five siblings on a hunt for a unicorn and the troubles that befall them along the way? Well, here's the book for you! TCAU has a special place in my heart because the main character, Unda, is my absolute favorite of any I have written. He's a cinnamon roll.

There are a few other works on my profile, but several of them are sequels to the books I have mentioned above or unfinished works that I will get back to soon... eventually.

What's your favorite Fantasy book/books on Wattpad?

A Touch of Darkness by @SpruceWolf, Solivagant by @dreams_of_silver, Of Caverns and Casters by @avadel, Codename: DEMON by @Ace_Guard, Whisper of Blade by @MiyaHikari. There are so many wonderful works to choose from but these are some that I love and would absolutely recommend!

What Fantasy sub-genre do you prefer to write?

I've recently gotten into fantasy romance, but I'm usually more of a fantasy adventure person. I adore high fantasy (gotta have my magic and dragons!) and would like to dabble in dark fantasy someday.

What does your writing process look like? Are there steps you follow in terms of working on your projects?

I'll be honest, my writing process is a complete mess! I'm not even sure if there's a real "process" to it anymore. In general though, I draft a really flimsy outline with vague ideas for what I want in the story, then I start writing and clean up as I go. (My first drafts are usually quite messy but I think they've gotten better over the years). After I finish the first draft, I let it sit for a long time before diving into rewrites. I rewrite, polish, tweak, and edit until I think the story is satisfactory. I usually begin posting my works on Wattpad while they're still in the first draft stages though. Comments from readers really help keep me going, and I'm also really bad at not sharing things with people!

What is/are your favorite type/s of characters to write? Why?

Power under control (the adorable cinnamon roll who could kill you if they wanted to but they never want to), the cold and calculating one who has a soft side if you dig for it, siblings (this is very broad but I love to write characters with siblings!), and the power-hungry one who ultimately just wants to protect something precious but lost themself along the way. I like characters who struggle, I like characters who bicker a little, and I like characters who learn to trust/rely on others. There are so many other types I could list; I just love writing characters!

What is/are your favorite trope/s to use and see in the media? Why?

This is a tough one, but I really love when sweet, innocent characters finally lose their cool. It just makes me so giddy every time. Everyone gets angry, but it's like a slap to the face when the precious, sweet character finally snaps. A good slap to the face, but a very painful one.

Share some interesting worldbuilding facts from your works.

In the world of Ashes to Ashes, there are people known as "blanks" who are detached from their own emotions and are experts at mimicking the emotions of others. They are difficult to read as they are constantly hiding behind a mask of false emotions. These "blanks" also have difficulty connecting with animals due to the fact that the masks they wear are designed to only appease other people.

How do you come up with the names of your characters?

It depends on the character. Some of them come to me with a vibe and I just have to find a name that sounds like it fits the vibe. Sometimes, I spend hours scrolling through baby names until something strikes me. Sometimes, the character springs from my head with a name already.

Are you a planner or a pantser?

Something in between... a plantser I think? I generally make a really rough outline for my stories just to make sure I don't get lost, but then I tend to let myself go where I want to. In later drafts/revisions, the first draft kind of acts as the framework or outline, so those are more "planned."

Are you an introvert or an extrovert?

I'm very, very introverted! People exhaust me and I love my alone time.

Favorite color?

Blue all the way! I love everything about it.

What is your most used app?

Oof... probably Discord. Depending on the day, it might be Genshin Impact... unfortunately.

How do you relax after a long day?

I love to sit down with a good book at the end of a long day and read until I fall asleep. Even better with a cup of hot chocolate and my dog in my lap.

How has the reader community on Wattpad influenced you in writing your stories?

I always love reading and replying to comments from my readers. It helps me stay motivated to keep writing and keep loving my story--I love when I get to share it with others! Readers also inspire me to keep going because sometimes they have better ideas than I do. All in all, I love sharing my excitement about my stories with others!

What are your future plans in writing, whether they be on Wattpad or outside it?

I plan to begin drafting the sequel to Ashes to Ashes, and once that's done, I'll go back and start rewriting/polishing AtA. I'm also working on the sequel for Of Spellbooks and Thieves and hope to be able to publish that within the next year or two.

What are your hopes and wishes regarding your journey as a fantasy writer?

I hope to be able to grow in my worldbuilding abilities and to be able to create many more interesting and distinct words. Generally though, I just hope to continue writing and reading fantasy! This genre is my home and my comfort, and I'm excited to see how my skills as a fantasy writer grow as I continue writing.

What would you like to tell up-and-coming writers out there?

As cliche as it sounds, just write! Whatever you love to write, whatever you wish you could read, whatever excites you, write it! The ability to create words is at your fingertips; seize that and write what you want.

Notebook or Computer?

Computer

Read a book or watch a movie?

Read a book! I am that person that gets bored halfway through a movie, but a book will keep my interest until I hit the end.

Pop or R&B?

Pop.

Summer or Winter?

Winter. Summer is the bane of my existence, sorry.

Series or Standalone?

Series!

Music or silence during writing?

Music. I can't write without music!

Writing same time of the day or any time of the day?

Any time of day. It varies based on my mood or what day it is and how busy I am

Meet your favorite author or be your favorite character?

Probably be my favorite character... until I have to suffer the things they suffer

Halloween or Christmas?

Christmas. I get spooked too easily and don't enjoy being frightened to understand the Halloween spirit

Read on a couch or read on bed?

Read in bed. I often read myself to sleep so a bed is best.

Spring or Autumn?

Autumn! I love watching the leaves change colors.

Kittens or Puppies?

Puppies. Puppies all the way.

Edit during or edit after?

Edit after! I need to have everything out of my head before I can even think about fixing it.

And there you have it. We hope you enjoyed this interview with TheConfusedTurtle. Catch us next time as we bring on another amazing Fantasy author. Till then, have a magical week ahead.