Here with are with yet another wonderful author NDeMeer, she is an Open Novella Contest round two winner with her story 'Tartarus Thief'. Let's have a small mystic conversation with her. 

About Author & Tartarus Thief:  I am a writer of fantasy fiction and I've always had a particular interest in myths; especially Roman and Greek mythology, ever since I delved deeper into them in my Latin and Greek classes in school. I find them fascinating and inspiring. That is why I used the 2021 ONC contest to explore this genre of fiction by writing the story Tartarus Thief. 

Tartarus Thief is very much based on Greek mythology; particularly those myths relating to the gods, olympus and the underworld; Hades' realm, where the dead go. The story revolves around a girl, Vita, who is a demigoddess; daughter of Eucleia (who is the goddess of glory and daughter of Hephaistos) and a mortal man. In my story, demigods do not simply live forever; instead, they grow old and die like mortals. However, rather than being sent to the underworld, demigods get sent back to earth to live another life. Over and over again. Vita hates this, because with every new life she forgets pieces of her previous lives. And now that she's met, loved and lost her soulmate Barny (a mortal man), she doesn't want to forget that. That is why she decides to defy her heritage, travel to the underworld and get back to Barny. Much of the story takes place in the underworld, where the Greek mythology is weaved into the setting. She meets the Erinyen, who guard the underworld, Hades and Persephone. With this story, I have tried my best to shed a new light on the underworld and after-death mythology of ancient Greece.

Q1. What made you begin writing on Wattpad?

When I was just starting out with learning to write, I read an article somewhere about different ways of making it in the publishing world. It mentioned less conventional ways as well, and Wattpad was one of them. The article described this girl who had posted her work on Wattpad and a year or so later was watching her book get so popular that publishers would approach her. Intrigued, I immediately opened the website to check it out and, well, I've never really looked back. I quickly got involved with book clubs, contests and community profiles. I enjoyed book clubs the most, because I was only just starting out, so I wanted to learn as much as I could and get better. Book clubs have helped me tremendously with growing as a writer. 

Q2. Which types of myth/folklore/legend that intrigues you the most or usually appear in your stories?

All mythology intrigues me, but I know the most about Roman and Greek myths. This is thanks to my Latin and Greek classes back in school. These two overlap a lot as well; many Roman gods have a Greek counterpart, and vice versa. Being raised a Christian, the idea of there being dozens of gods intrigues me. It raises questions in me, about the power balance among all those gods, about the differences in the way they interact with us mortals, but also about how much they care for us mortals. All of these things are so much fun to explore in stories. This comes back in my story Tartarus Thief as well.

Q3. What do you think makes a good and intriguing mythical story?

Of course all the aspects of storytelling are important in mythical stories as well; lifelike characters, well-worked-out plot, realistic dialogue, etc. But in a myth-based story the added difficulty is getting the details of the mythology right. It's a bit like writing fanfiction; you have to research all the worldbuilding and character details and make sure you apply them correctly in your story. At the same time you have to make sure your story is something new; if your story is too similar to what we already know, then readers will get bored easily. There's a tight balance between using the details of the original myths and creating something new.

Q4. What do you think about retelling of myth and legend?

This actually ties in with the previous question; I absolutely adore retellings, as long as there is something new and unique about the retelling. If it's exactly the same story as we already know, I don't see the point of reading it. But if there's something unique, like a new perspective to explore, that could be fantastic. For example, I've recently read a book called Circe, in which Homer's Odyssey was (in part) told from the perspective of one of the "monsters" they came across along the way. This was such a brilliant read, because you got to see what happened through the eyes of a character you've always only seen as evil

Q5. Any favorite tv shows or movies related to myth and legend?

I think Percy Jackson is one of the most famous (and with good reason!) examples of a myth-based story done well. Much like my own story, Tartarus Thief, the Percy Jackson series incorporates much of the Greek and Roman mythology, with a focus on those usually left out: half-gods. Another one that I believe would fall under myth and legend as well, is the tv show Lucifer. This one is based on Christian beliefs and incorporates God, hell and angels. Lucifer brings a hilarious touch to the Christian stories I've been taught since I was little.

Q6. Do you have a writing playlist?

No, actually! I love music, but I have a tendency to get so wrapped up in the music that I can't focus on other things anymore – like the story I'm supposed to be writing. I write best without any sounds or other distractions around me. Because that way my mind is free to wander deep into the story that's playing out in my head. 

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That is it! Thank you for coming, be sure check out Tartarus Thief!

More is coming, which author you would like to see?