Greetings, for the next myth and legend makers, we are proudly and happily to have wera_nyooms to join us today! Here are a few bits about this amazing author and some outstanding myth and legend related works.

Wera Niyom is a fantasy and historical fiction author who is best known for her 2019 Watty-winning story A Celestial Requiem. Her works predominantly feature Asian protagonists and mythology/folklore around the world.

Her notable work is The Secrets of Tarot series, which follows a crippled herbalist who discovers she's the only person who can seal the evil magic of the Tarot and restore balance to the realm. The Secrets of Tarot series and its upcoming spinoff trilogy, Fairy Guardian Fa Ying, is inspired by various mythology/folklore around the world. Wuzhen, where most of the books take place, is inspired by the dragons of Chinese mythology. This series also features Celtic, Thai, Korean, Japanese, Greek, Norse, etc. mythologies and Hungarian folklore. Dance of the Dragons is available to read for free on Wattpad.

Her Eclipsed Deities series is a science fantasy series that follows a thirteen-year-old girl and her childhood friend, and their quest to free the zodiac from Chaos' clutches. Each book explores the dystopian earth from the perspective of the western zodiac. The prequel of the series, Her Darkness and His Star, follows Erebus and his descent into darkness following an affair with the Goddess of Stars, Asteria. Their epic romance not only brings forth the arrival of the thirteen zodiac, but the Mortal Realm's transformation into the Infernal Havens.

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1. What prompted you to become a writer?

So, I've watched almost 400 anime series and that led me to becoming a fanfiction author during my high school years. I wanted to write storylines I wish I saw while watching anime like Hakuouki, Kamisama Kiss, Noragami, etc. However, I also read a lot of books as a kid. I spent most of my time at the library whenever my mom was working. We were really poor, so my mom could only buy a book for me once every few months. However, being a fast reader, she would always drop me off at the public library or a bookstore for a few hours so I could tear through the fantasy and paranormal sections.

When I read books, it made me want to read stories that involved certain mythology/folklore, but I struggled with finding something that came close to what I wanted. And thus, I decided to become an author whose works are inspired by Asian culture and mythology/folklore around the world.

2. What are some common themes that appear in your writing?

A common theme in my writing is the light v. dark trope. I also enjoy using the broken bird character trope in which the MC must overcome past struggles in order to succeed. Another common theme I like to include is the soulmate concept. Most of my works feature characters who form instantaneous connections and fall in love at first sight. I'm a hopeless romantic, so I love, love, love the soulmate trope.

3. Where do you find inspiration for your newest myth and legend related story?

This is tough to say. I got into mythology after I saw Hercules for the first time as a kid. When it comes to creating new myth and legend related stories, it depends on what I come across in my research. Sometimes I'll do research for one story and I end up coming across something unrelated that is interesting but could be used for a future project. A good example would be a roleplay character I created back in 2017 that has water-based abilities that are based on the dragon kings of the four seas in Chinese mythology. I didn't have anywhere to put her, but when I came up with my current magical girl WIP that is inspired by East and Southeast Asian mythos, she finally had a place to call home!

4. If you could meet any Mythological or Legendary person, entity, creature, ect; who would it be and why?

I'd love to meet a snake demon from the Chinese myth - Madame White Snake or from the Thai myth. Their story is a sad love story that doesn't have a HEA ending, so I would like to help them find happiness.

5. Share some of your writing tips and tricks (i.e. routines, rituals, exercises). When do you find time to fit writing into your day?

Before I begin a story, I prepare chapter outlines and basic descriptions of the characters and the world the story will take place in. I'm a heavy planner, so I have pages of world building and character notes. It really helps me streamline my thoughts.

Every day, during my work breaks, an hour after work, and on the weekends, I write. It does become challenging trying to juggle two jobs and graduate school, so compromise is important. If I don't have the energy or time to write one day, I promise myself to do more the next day to make up for lost time.

In terms of writing, I do writing sprints every day to keep myself motivated. And sometimes I share sneak peeks with my friends just to get their opinion on the direction I take.

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That is it! Thank you for accepting to joining us on this interview. Check more about wera_nyooms's on her profiles! 

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