Hello, everyone! Today we have another mythical and amazing author sharmee_m sharing her story and discussing her work 'The Throne of the Four Realms' with us which has won several contests and has been featured on one of our reading lists. 

About Author: Sharmika, goes by Sharmee here, is a new Wattpad writer, with one completed book and a sequel ongoing. A corporate employee by day, and a fantasy writer by night, she still awaits her Hogwarts acceptance letter. She mostly writes medieval fantasy, but someday she might dabble in sci-fi psychological thriller. Oh, and she daydreams a lot, like the afore-mentioned statement. A fanatic reader since the age of five, she has found Wattpad to be a new safe place, with people who are just as crazy as her. 

About 'The Throne of the Four Realms' : 'Living in the Spring Realm her whole life, Eleni always knew she had no magic, that she was ordinary. But when an opportunity knocks on her door to witness the mystical Conquest for 'The Throne of the Four Realms' in the wonderful Winter Realm, she is thrown into the intriguing world of magic, royals, dragons, romance and friendships. But not everyone is what they seem, including the Throne and even herself! The Conquest for the Throne has begun. And suddenly, Eleni finds herself entangled in the power games of the royals around her, simultaneously juggling a deep buried family secret that could change her ordinary life and also the history of the Four Realms for better or worse. The only questions she has - Who does she trust? And who is she really?' 

1. What made you start writing on Wattpad?

For years, I have been a ghost reader on Wattpad—though, I used to vote on chapter, folks—and I looked up to these writers who had the courage to just get out there and display a piece of themselves for the world to see. Well, I never had the courage. Though a year ago, on a lazy summer afternoon, my friend asked me to write a story because SHE was bored. And being the good friend, I happily obliged. Zodiacs came to me, and just like that in a week I had a rough plot of flowcharts and character profiles ready. The same friend, after reading my first few chapters, DEMANDED for me to publish it on Wattpad and again I obliged and boy, am I glad I did. Now, I cannot imagine a life without Wattpad. 

 2. According to you, what makes stories with myth and legend concepts so special and intriguing? 

Generally, stories of 'myths and legends' are looked up to as tales of traditions, some ancient event that has taken place and we revere it or uphold it. Though, in my opinion, a story even if set in a modern world, which speaks of a universe with borders and divisions, rituals held close by mankind, good and evil—you know, the yin-yang thingy—can fall under this category, making it oh-so special. Endless and timeless possibilities.

3. Which type of myth/folklore/legend that intrigues you the most? 

3. Anything and everything that gets me out of the real world. Like give me, a King who has trouble waking up early in the morning, and even when I cannot relate to the worldly issues he tackles, I can certainly relate to the fact that any responsibility can be exhausting, be it my 9-5 job or running a kingdom. A story set in urban fictional world can show this a little too easily, however in a mythical tale, if we readers can relate to a medieval character, I mean... that's loads better. You get an escape from reality and drop 'into the unknown' and still find everything right up your alley. And if there are folklores, dragons, magic... Yay!

4. Your story is about Royals, Magic, Realms, can you give a brief about the myths in the story and also why did you chose to write about them?

The myths in my story are all fictional. I read a few books which has no concept of God and I found it interesting. What do those people look up to then? Are there issues similar to ours? In my story, I have a Throne, a magical throne that is the source of all elemental powers in this medieval world, all twelve zodiac Houses fighting for it. My book got enemy nations, traditional outlook and at times—senseless laws, forbidden approach to cross-breeding among Realms, magical debt bonds, family and sibling dynamics, people turning into mermaids and centaurs, a beautiful warrior and dragon relationship, phoenixes as sacred... pets? I have this proverb: 'let us address the dragon in the room,' and I love it myself. Say, new world, new system, new types of conflicts which are still parallel to our real world, morally gray characters and conflict of light and dark... AND I am deep-diving. 

5. Any favorite tv shows or movies related to myth and legends? 

My favorite world so far has been, 'Mistborn' book series. The use of metal-magic, a concept of a human-turned-immortal-legendary-God, people rebelling with religions and deep-rooted myths, it's all so wonderful. Next, I'd say, 'Shadow and Bone' series. Even the new TV adaptation of 'The Wheel of Time' is phenomenal. Recommend 10/10.  

6. If you have a chance to relive in one myth, what should it be?  

If I do get a chance, I think I'd go visit fictional myth of... Land of Oz and Hogwarts, of course. Or if a time-traveling portal can drop me somewhere, I'd like to see Egyptian culture and myths. A picnic inside Pyramid of Giza—FUN!  

That's it for this month, it was fun knowing about Sharmika. You can read her story featured in our reading list as well as her other works. 

Until Next Time!