Project Athena | Author Spotlight

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Can you tell us about a character from one of your stories that is particularly meaningful to you? - What inspired this character, and how did you develop their personality and backstory?

Juneaux Kirchoff is the protagonist of my story Juno Regina, an original work that takes place a few years before the seventy-fourth annual Hunger Games. She simply starts as a quiet farm girl from District Nine, but throughout her story she has all these titles, expectations, and responsibilities thrust upon her. She's forced to find her own place and decide who she wants to be in a world that is trying to sculpt her like a pawn. Throughout the book, she has one soft spot for her fellow tribute from District Nine as they form a sibling bond of sorts. Aspects of this bond was actually inspired by my own siblings and how close we all are to one another. And yet there's also that weight of feeling responsible for the younger, something I myself have struggled with at times being the firstborn daughter of a larger family. I tend to write what I know and so many of my characters have a quiet voice to begin with but they grow just as I have, and by the end of their story, they've learned to speak up and embrace what they know to be right and wrong.

Can you tell us about a particularly challenging scene or chapter in one of your stories, and how you tackled it?

There were several chapters that were extremely difficult to write in Juno Regina. Since it does take place in the Hunger Games universe, that meant I had to write over a dozen death scenes and make sure I was doing the characters justice as the pages of their story closed. I procrastinated writing those chapters for quite a while as I simply wasn't ready to part with the characters I'd grown so attached to. But I realized I couldn't avoid the inevitable and made myself sit down and complete the journey that I'd started. It genuinely helped that I had readers who were invested in these characters and were begging for the next chapters to be published. Honestly, reader engagement is a huge motivator when it comes to writing. There are some comments that I'll still go back and reread when I'm having a bad day or questioning if my work is any good.

Can you tell us about a writing project that you're currently working on? How did you come up with the idea, and what can readers expect from it?

I honestly have so many ongoing works in progress that it's hard to pick just one. There are a few I'm pretty excited about though and one of them is Charmed. Although this project is still in the plotting phase, I have a lot of big things planned. Charmed is a Cinderella retelling of my Disney Twisted Tales series. The first book in this series, Cursed, explored the enchantress from Beauty and the Beast and why she would curse a child. I plan to continue exploring the magic of these worlds in Charmed, by taking a closer look at the relationship between a fairy godmother and their charge. Readers should be prepared for a darker twist to the magic they know and love as an assassination plot and revolution are major themes throughout this story.

What do you think are the benefits and challenges of writing on Wattpad? How has the platform influenced your writing and career?

I think one of the benefits of writing on Wattpad is its accessibility. I don't always have a laptop or computer right in front of me, but as long as I have a phone or tablet I can keep writing. Writers may also receive instant feedback as soon as they publish a chapter since readers can comment at any time. As for challenges, plagiarism is always going to be present since everything is so accessible. It's too easy for someone else to steal your work since it is out for the public to view. And then there are also internet trolls who stick around to stir trouble. And even if you don't take their comments seriously, they can still bring down the mood and allow doubts to creep in.

This platform has definitely helped me grow in my consistency. Even if I'm not posting anything, I'm constantly thinking about how to improve the plots of my stories or I'm just writing for myself. Those drafts might never see the light of day, but sometimes those personal stories that you keep for yourself help inspire other plots that come later down the line.

What are your goals for your writing career, both in the short term and long term?

My short-term goals revolve mainly around maintaining consistency. I make it a goal to update a chapter in one of my stories at least once a week to create a habit and routine. As for long-term goals, I have an original trilogy that I'm working on in my spare time that I want to have published. My overarching long term goal is to become an established author to the point that I'm living off of what I love to do.

Can you share any writing tips or tricks that you've found particularly helpful in your own work? -- What advice would you give to other writers who are just starting out?

One writing trick that I've found helpful is if you're stuck or you just hate looking at the words you've written, change the font of the document. Sometimes the mind finds inspiration when it has to adjust to something new. And for writers who are just beginning, write about anything and everything. The more often you practice, the stronger your skills will become. No one is just brilliant at writing their first time around. It takes draft upon draft for a finished work to become the final product that an audience reads. Don't be afraid to make mistakes, you can only grow from them. 

We are delighted to showcase Ryn as the focus of our featured author series this month. Take a moment to check out their stories and show your support.

If you're interested in being featured too, keep honing your craft and submit your work to our reading lists. We're constantly seeking exceptional books to showcase and share with our readers.