Hello, everyone! Today we have another mythical and amazing author, BellOfSilence, the 2023 Grand Prize & 2022 Wattys Winning (German) author of The Grimm Dossier.

About the Author: I work full-time as a administrator of contract management at a large international company. It's a relatively dry and down-to-earth job that only offers a little room for creativity. That's why my hobby of writing has been all the more important to me for many years.

I play pen and paper when I'm not sitting on a story and bravely fighting writer's block or word-finding disorders. With the rest of my free time, I write in online forums with others. I love diving into different worlds and creating new characters with dramatic stories and exciting adventures!

Last year, I finally published my first full-length story on Wattpad and, to my great delight, won the Wattys' German Grand Prize in 2022 and a watty in 2023 too. I've also self-published a few short stories, which I plan to offer on Amazon soon. Nevertheless, Wattpad is and remains my central platform! :) I dream of becoming a Wattpad Creator and eventually seeing my stories in bookstores, too.

About 'The Grimm Dossier':"Mundus vult decipi, ergo decipiatur.

The world wants to be deceived; so let it be deceived!"

Credo of the Order of Seekers -

London 1898.

Where the summoning of spirits has become as normal as cricket and tennis, the boundaries between fantasy and reality are blurred. In high society, Occultism and membership in 'secret' lodges are the most fashionable thing in the world. A very exclusive group of this kind is the Order of the Seekers, which is dedicated to researching, concealing, and disguising the occurrences of the mysterious.

Kyle Crowford and Dr. Benjamin Archer are newcomers to the Order, recent graduates of the initiation rite, and eager to embark on their first mission... until they find out that it will take them to the remote backlands in the middle of Dartmoor.

In a world beyond the obvious, where magic can bend reality and nightmares can become true, the agents must face the mysteries surrounding the gruesome deaths in Dartmoor - ideally without becoming the next victims themselves. Because, alongside their secrets, there are unexpectedly dark abysses lurking in St. George.

About other Myth & Legend Related Books: In the Seeker Chronicles series, my readers encounter legends, myths and legendary creatures in a gloomy guise within the framework of mystery and adventure. In Victorian London, the so-called Seekers are tasked with uncovering the truth behind supernatural occurrences. It is not uncommon for creatures from mythology and folklore to play a role.

In my fairy tale adaptations, I transform classic stories and fairy tales into new adventures, often with a more serious theme and a new mix such as steampunk or similar.

In The Queen of Bow and Arrow, my Watty 2023 story, I want to tell a new tale of Maid Marian and Robin Hood, but also of other characters like Guy of Gisborne, Little John and Will Scarlet. Legends from Sherwood Forest that are roughly recognisable, but also new adventures that take the reader into a world full of love but also tragedy.  

1. What made you start writing on Wattpad? What has been your favorite moment so far on the orange app?

At first, I was only active on Wattpad to read. This brought Wattys 2022 to my attention rather by chance - and I decided to participate. So, I wrote and published my first story on Wattpad (The Grimm Dossier). The Wattpad community has grown incredibly close to my heart, and I am happy to have found the courage to publish my story in 2022.

My favourite moment was when a reader of my story was so enthusiastic about it that she drew me fan art for the story. The fact that someone liked my story so much, got creative about it themselves and kept in touch with me - that was and still is a big piece of my heart that binds me to Wattpad. That moment when I received the first fanart will always have a place in my heart!

2. Which mythology and/or legends influenced your story? Why did you choose those?

My story 'The Grimm Dossier' contains a whole series of allusions or direct references to fairytales and urban legends from the Highlands in England. The story itself makes great reference with the murders to the fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm, such as Sleeping Beauty and the Frog King. The big baddie himself (spoiler alert) calls himself, for example, the Dragon of Manathon - a legend about a dragon on the moor, and claims to have been slain by a knight (a reference to St George). There are so many great legends about the moors in Scotland and the woodlands there that provide inspiration for a dark Victorian setting. 

3. Tell us about the main character of one of your stories. What inspired their creation?

Kyle Crowford is the main character in the main story of the Seeker Chronicles. In other words, the series of 'files' (The Grimm File, The Whitby File and the following). He is based on a pen and paper character that I played in an adventure. I adapted it for the story. It's important to me to provide characters in the Files who have flaws and faults. The setting is gloomy and, in keeping with the Victorian era, mystical but also dark - that's how the characters should be. 

4. What were some challenges you experienced while writing the story?

The most difficult part of the story was actually weaving in all the clues in such a way that readers might notice them - but they wouldn't immediately catch their eye. I wanted them to register, but only at a certain point to have that 'Oh!' moment when you realise how important they are. That was a really big challenge. 

5.Do you have a song playlist for writing? Can you share one with us?

I have a song list on Spotify that I listen to when I write to the Sucher Chronicles.

6. What is your favorite myth or legend? Why?

One of my favourite legends are the stories about Arthur, the Knights of the Round Table and Excalibur. The quests and the noble knights, wizards and evil forces, fateful trials, as well as a magical sword and mystical creatures like the Glatisant. I love everything about it!

7. What is your favorite mythical creature? Why?

Dragons and fairies - especially the latter, in all their facets. Whether it's goblins, Sidhe, Tuatha or whatever, I've always been fascinated by the distorted or false understanding of right and wrong, all the myths about missing Christians or fairies in different countries. I absolutely in love with all the legends. 

8.If you could have the same powers as a creature and/or deity from mythology or legends, what would it be? Why?

Medusa - Turning everything into stone that gets on my nerves? Would be nice, but probably not for long :D Merlin, Hecate or Morgana? Surely being able to cast spells isn't a bad thing? Bastet - always being surrounded by cats would certainly be great :,D A fairy queen like Titania? If you're bored, just kidnap a few people? Joking aside. I have to be honest: I haven't the slightest idea. I think a lot of creatures or gods are great. But I couldn't pick one. 

9.What is your advice other writers who want to use mythology in their story?

I would say: think outside the box. What potential does the story have? What could make it unusual or simply 'different' and could it perhaps be woven into a new guise? The important thing for me is to surprise the reader at the same time as letting them recognise the legend. 

That's it for the month, it was fun getting to know about S. Wolff (BellOfSilence). You can check their stories featured in our reading list as well as their other works.

Until next time!