Interview Session with Alina Bellchambers by the Author
In a remarkable journey that began in a family bookstore, the author found their passion for storytelling and writing deeply rooted in their early and broad exposure to books. Growing up amongst the pages, the author was free to explore a wide range of literature beyond their age level, including fairy tales, adventures, Arthurian legends, and works like *Alice in Wonderland*. This literary freedom broadened their vocabulary and ignited a love for language and stories at a very young age [1].
Influential figures such as encouraging teachers who nurtured a love for learning played a crucial role in this journey. The author's positive experiences with such mentors helped develop their confidence and commitment to doing their best work, which later influenced how they teach and engage with writing [1].
The author's path included practical steps like engaging with supportive communities, such as children's book bloggers, and educational opportunities, like taking adult education classes on writing. These environments provided constructive feedback, networking, and encouragement, all key to transforming their early passion into a professional writing career focused especially on diverse children's books [2].
The author's debut novel, The Order of Masks, was a testament to their dedication and hard work. Set in a brutal Roman-inspired empire, the story focuses on court politics, magic, and romance. The novel features two fierce female protagonists, Mira and Scarlett, who fight to reshape their destinies, with a focus on moral complexities and the contrasting ways they choose between power and love interests [3].
The author's passion for writing evolved from fan fiction to full-length original manuscripts. Their work is renowned for creating rich and compelling worlds by immersing readers in sensory experiences and maintaining a sense of danger throughout the story [4].
The author's worldbuilding for The Order of Masks includes diverse geographical regions such as the Ravalian Empire, the icy North, the Western deserts, and the Elusive Isles. The author's map of the Ravalian capital city includes the Crimson Palace, circular obsidian arena, Higher and Lower Districts, shops that sell poison, Roman-style gymnasia, communal baths, and theatres [5].
The author's sequel to The Order of Masks is set to release in 2025. Meanwhile, the author has a backlog of thriller and fantasy manuscripts that they hope to share with readers after the release of their sequel. The author recommends The Serpent of the Wings of Night, The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, The Cruel Prince by Holly Black, Caraval series by Stephanie Garber, and Natalie Mae's Kinder Poison trilogy to fans of the genre [6].
Inspired by the complicated dynamics and hard choices made by women in power, the author's books feature strong female leads. The author emphasizes the importance of persistence in the publishing process, stating that publishing a book is a testing process, but there is no such thing as failure in writing [7]. The author provides useful links for researching agents and polishing submission materials on their website [8].
The author's advice to aspiring authors is to write regularly, read in their genre, write a pitch for their original book idea, get feedback, hone their manuscript, and either query agents or approach publishers directly [9]. The author's website contains a section with useful resources for writers looking to break into the romance or fantasy genre [10].
The author's favorite fantasy novel is Garth Nix's Sabriel, and they admire Sarah J. Maas for her balance between romance, high-stakes action, and fantasy worldbuilding [11]. The author's stories continue to captivate readers with fierce female protagonists and intricate worldbuilding, making them a must-read for fans of the genre.
References: [1] Author’s personal experiences [2] Interviews with the author [3] The Order of Masks, Book One [4] The Order of Masks, Book One [5] The Order of Masks, Book One [6] The author’s website [7] Interviews with the author [8] The author’s website [9] Interviews with the author [10] The author’s website [11] Interviews with the author
In their literary journey, the author's passion for storytelling, ignited through a broad exposure to various books like fairy tales and *Alice in Wonderland*, evolved to include an emphasis on diverse children's books in their professional writing career. As they venture further into the world of entertainment, the author remains committed to creating engaging books that provide both entertainment and insightful themes.
