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Meet Aurora Firedrake in The Avalonia Chronicles

Interview with FarahOomerBhoy

1) What inspired you to writing and since when you are writing?

> Every reader at some point in their lives comes across a book that inspires them to think beyond the boundaries. For me that book was Harry Potter. The wonderful world of Hogwarts and the magical beings that lived within it, made me look at the world of Magic in a completely different way. I had always loved reading Fantasy stories, and Tolkien's "Lord of The Rings," along with C.S. Lewis' "Chronicles of Narnia," were already my favorites. These books inspired me to write a story that would combine the best of the three, and so Aurora Firedrake started to take shape. I had been thinking about this book for over seven years. Planning the world of Avalonia, whenever I got time. The actual world creation started with a tapestry in my grandmother's house. One day I stood before it and wondered, what if I could step into the tapestry, where would I end up? And so the world of Avalonia sprang into existence. From then on, the person who stepped into the tapestry was a young 16 year-old girl who didn't know who she really was, her name was Aurora, and this is her story.

2) Tell us something about you as a person and you as a writer..

> Well, I am a mother of three wonderful kids, and writing has always been something, which I love to do. Unfortunately I don't always get time, so I just write whenever I manage to get a free moment.

3) I have been reading your book 'Aurora Firedrake' Its interesting, reminded me of the series 'Once Upon A Time'. What inspired you to write this story?

> I love "Once upon a Time," it's a wonderful series, and I am seriously addicted. Although Aurora Firedrake was completed long before I watched the TV show. I love fairytales that are taken and turned on its head, changing everything you think you knew. Fairytale retellings are some of my favorite stories to read. I think fairy tales and the Arthurian legends have had quite an inspiration for my writing as well. T. H. White's masterpiece "The Once and Future King," and Marion Zimmer Bradley's "Mists of Avalon, have also had a profound impact on the way I write my stories.

4) Are you a disney fan? What is your favorite fairytale and why?

> I absolutely love fairy tales, and Disney ☺ so far I have watched most of them. But my absolute favorite would have to be "Frozen" it's the most wonderful spectacular story that Disney has come up with. Elsa is just fantastic, and she is probably the most powerful of all the Disney princesses. And I just love the way Disney has taken the story of the Ice Queen and created "Frozen" to match the original promise of the Ice Queen while completely turning it on it's head. Although I have to say that I enjoyed, "Maleficent" almost as much. Have always been a great sleeping beauty fan, that's how I thought of the name Aurora.

5) If you are not writing or on wattpad, what you are doing in your free time?

> Looking after my kids. It's a full time job, but I love it.

6) Out of your two books, which one is most closest to you and why?

> Aurora Firedrake is like my fourth child ☺ I have spent years and years creating Avalonia, and the characters that live there. I would have to say, Aurora Firedrake will always hold a special place in my heart, as my very first book.

7) You recently participated in the 'Dinner with Wattpad Class 2014'. How was the experience? Mention the books you read and liked.

> Yes, I did. The "Wattpad class of 2014" is a group of 8 writers who met here on Wattpad and became friends, bonding over our mutual admiration for each other's books. We have been supporting and helping each other's since. Occasionally one of us throws a party to celebrate when one of us gets featured or reaches a big milestone on Wattpad. I am really lucky to be a part of this amazing group of wonderful authors.

They are:

- Born of Shadow - by SarahBensonBooks

- The Fates - by _Ahna_

- Tue-Rah, Identity Revealed - by JessicaBFry

- Slavedays - by JayVictor

- Anni Moon - The Elemental Artifact - by MoonZephyr

- Shadow's Edge - by Linna1029

- Caitaindar - by TEJJohnson

8) Do you proofread/edit all your own books or do you get someone to do that for you?

> At the moment only "The Virtuous Princess," has been professionally edited. "Aurora Firedrake - The Avalonia Chronicles," has only been edited by me right now. I plan to have it professionally edited soon.

9) Tell us about the cover/s and how it/they came about. Who design your covers?

> Well, I did the original cover of Aurora Firedrake. But then I hired a cover designer who created the cover you see now. I, using Photoshop, also made the cover of The Virtuous Princess.

10) What book/s are you reading at present?

> Right now I have been reading a wonderful book her on Wattpad, "Mermaids and the Vampires who love them," by BrittanieCharmintine.

11) You have been posting pictures in the media section for each chapter of your book 'Aurora Firedrake'.Personally, I liked it, because i could relate to what you were trying to express through your story but how do your readers react to your story and the images you upload?

> I think most readers like it; at least the ones who have commented have said that they can relate to the pictures. Although its not really needed, I find it adds a little more to the story.

12) Messages to your readers/followers, Please.

> To my dearest readers, I would like to say thank you so much for taking the time to read Aurora Firedrake, I am really very honored that so many of you have come to love my story and are following me as well. I hope all of you will continue to read and enjoy this book, as there are many wonderful new chapters still to come. This book is the first in a trilogy that is called The Avalonia Chronicles, and I am currently working on writing book 2.

Favorites:

Favorite fairytale: Sleeping Beauty.

Favorite fairytale princess: Elsa (well, the Disney version at least)

Favorite time of the day: Dawn

Favorite month: October

Favorite song: "Let it go" - Frozen

Favorite quote: "No half-heartedness and no worldly fear must turn us aside from following the light unflinchingly." - J. R. R. Tolkien.

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