A.G.: Oooh that’s really cool! Writing is always a great outlet. Now that we know what started your writing career, tell us a bit about your goals. Where do you want your writing to take you?

A.A.: I want to finish The Writer’s Reverie within two years. (you may think this is time aplenty- it is most definitely not.) Long term, however, I would love to write something beautiful, the likes of which the world has never seen before, something worthy of remembrance.

T.C.: That sounds amazing! Who are some of your favorite authors?

A.A.: - S. Jae-Jones (Wintersong!)

• J.R.R Tolkien (stereotypical yes, I know)

• Charlotte Bronte (somehow she gets even more stereotypical) (yes this is about Jane Eyre)

• Mo Xiang Tong Xiu (Judge me not! I beg of you!)

• May I include a poet? Christina Roseitti (The Goblin Market)

A.G.: All of those are really good! Wintersong and Mo Xiang Tong Xiu are suuuch good books. What genres do you like to write?

A.A.: - High Fantasy

• Gothic? (I may one day venture into this genre, as it is oft a crossover between fantasy and historical)

• Romance? (If I ever learn how to write love)

• Fairy Tales (alt Faery Tales ;)

T.C.: Gothic sounds really interesting! The genres you mentioned are often detail-oriented, where do you get your inspiration?

A.A.: (tilts head in contemplation slightly overlong) From art (eg Hindu temples, Peplos Kore), from music, from other works of literature, from the design of random notebooks, from random research (Taoism to Celtic Mythology to the history of printmaking)

A.G.: Oooh that’s really cool. I’ve never been inspired by art- you may have to share some of the art pieces you like so I can try and get some of that inspiration ;p. Any writing tips or words of wisdom for other aspiring authors?

A.A.: - Collect words, in notes, in notebooks

• See what you like about other author’s writing styles and forge your own out of a variety of your favorites

• Revise constantly

• Pay attention to the connotations of words and be discerning in your word choice

A.G.: Those are wonderful, thank you so much! I’m sure that will help the Readers in their writing journeys. I know you like to write poetry- care to share a bit about what poetry you write?

A.A.: Yes!!! Anon I am in the midst of an epic poem, which has an AABB rhyme scheme, four-line stanzas, and no syllable restrictions called The Lay of the Auric Maiden and Marmoreal Minstrel, (yes, tis overlong), which tells the tale of Orielle’s quest to free a glade of individuals from a curse of being a statue by day (Pygmalion and Galatea / Endymion and Selene, anyone?) It, of course, demonstrates my interest in Greek mythology, indulges my tendency towards florid imagery, and includes a classic Anne move: creating an entire (overly complex) religion. At the moment I believe I have fifty-five stanzas and anticipate a length of around eight-hundred lines (around the same length as the Goblin Market) though who knows? Certainly not I-

A sneak peak:

Hands, once marble, now of flesh

Brushed gainst maiden by sweet sleep refreshed

Marveling at golden haired newcomer

Arrived on eve of midsummer

Orielle observed, with keen sapphire eyne

Circle of mortals replaced line

Of statues no longer petrified

With whom she chose to abide

T.C.: That is absolutely beautiful! It sounds like you have really gotten the hang of capturing imagery through your writing, how long have you been writing?

A.A.: Oh, well my first poem was written when I was ten, titled “Ode to Beauty” and my first short story I believe was a ridiculous hand illustrated piece about werewolves (based off of Wizards of Waverly Places) (written at the age of six). But I consider my first real short story to be The Island of the Dead, completed when I was twelve, a work based off of a Romantic Era painting.

A.G.: Oh wow, so you have been writing for a looong time! What is your favorite story trope?

A.A.: Oh, once again I have a most arduous time choosing! A slow-burn romance is one I both deeply love yet hate in the moment, my thoughts screaming “just kiss already!” as they dance around one another. Found family is always sweet and resurrection is an interesting trope I would love to see more of (and a form of which is oft found in my favorite novels).

T.C.: Those are all wonderful tropes- and each of those has multiple characters involved. What’s your favorite kind of character?

A.A.: Tragic heroes, where they endeavor to be a good person but are driven to commit atrocities by outside forces or their own flaws (think Wei Wuxian, Xie Lian, Maedhros), for there is something beautiful about someone who could have achieved everything, yet fell short.

One I know not the name of is the character that employs and exploits their appearance of vulnerability or demurity to achieve power/recognition, deftly manipulating and framing others whilst maintaining the facade of innocence. (A strange choice, forsooth, but I find them utterly fascinating)

A.G.: I completely agree with the tragic hero trope- it’s always so sad to read, but very intriguing. The second one is a very interesting choice. What’s your favorite book?

A.A.: (pouts) Just one? You force my hand!

I shall instead list out my favorite attributes of my favorite novels.

Wintersong- description of music, of love, the equality of the said love, impactful dialogue, memorable quotes

Jane Eyre- intratextual moments, descriptions of feelings, the style

The Silmarillion- the characters, the removed quality of the prose, the complex motivations of everyone- how the conflict stems from both good and evil and those in between

T.C.: All such good choices! I hate to say it, but we are on to our last question of today. To finish everything off, would you mind sharing what your ideal setting for writing is?

A.A.: Alas, it is over already? In an ideal world I would write in my hometown, outside on a brisk Spring day in a garden, surrounded by flowers, rivers, and statues. (Or in France- J’aime la France!) Yet the majority of time I simply write on the couch staring out the window like a Victorian maiden contemplating her own lack of agency.

A.G.: Hahaha, those are wonderful. Sadly that was all of the questions, but I had so much fun while it lasted. Thank you so, so much for joining us!

T.C.: Yes, thank you! I can’t wait to see your completed book!

To all our Readers, next week we have a fun post planned! AG and I are going to be doing a This or That questionnaire, Character Trope edition! Similar to how we asked y’all to send in questions for our Q&A, we would love it if y’all could send in This or That questions.

Here is an example of the kind of questions we would like you to send in:

Chivalrous Knight or Sarcastic Jokester

Comic Relief Side Character or Extremely Smart Best Friend

Basically, think of two kinds of stereotype characters (that is what a trope is) and ask if we would prefer one or the other. We are looking forward to answering your questions! Please email the questions to silverarcblog@gmail.com or DM either of us through any of the info on our ‘Contacts’ page.

Thank you again to the talented Anjolie Anne for joining us today and we shall see y’all next week!