A few months ago I was fortunate to have been interviewed by Jolene MacFadden of Jolene’s Books and Writers Talk. She asked some really great questions. Here’s the link to the Spotify Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/2Ul8x5YgXXRPjifTqMwpVq?utm_source=generator
Category: writing
Being an Armenian Voice in Fantasy Literature
The email sits in my inbox for three days before I can bring myself to respond. A reader has written to thank me for Light Weaver, saying it’s the first time they’ve seen Armenian culture represented in fantasy. Their words fill me with joy and terror in equal measure. Joy because I’ve succeeded in creating…
Lost (and found) in Translation
There are moments when I sit at my computer, fingers hovering over the keyboard, searching for an English word that simply doesn’t exist. How do you translate the Armenian word, “մարդկայինություն” (mardkayinutyun), into a fantasy novel? The closest English equivalent might be “humanity” or “humaneness,” but it carries deeper layers, a profound sense of what…
A Search for Belonging
Growing up, the question “Where are you from?” used to leave me speechless. Not because I didn’t know the answer, but because I had too many answers and none of them felt complete. One particular memory replays in my mind like a movie stuck on repeat. It’s Saturday evening, and my family and I are…
Between Worlds: Why I Write the Stories I Needed
I still remember the first time I found a book with an Armenian character in my local library. I was maybe twelve, scanning the shelves like I always did, not really expecting anything as I flipped through pages of books that looked interesting. Then it happened. I saw that name—unmistakably Armenian—and my heart actually jumped….
Light Weaver
A young adult fantasy fairytale rooted in Armenian mythology “A rich tapestry of epic storytelling that will leave you wanting more.” ~ J.C. Cervantes, New York Times bestselling author of The Storm Runner series When eighteen-year-old relic thief Satya steals an ancient resurrection artifact from the Golden King, she uncovers his dark secret: he’s a puppet to…
Dragons, Fire Breathing Monsters of Legend?
The Vishap: From Armenian storm dragon to the underworld’s dangerous trickster guardian in my YA dark fantasy debut novel, Light Weaver.
Imagining Other Worlds: How Art Inspires Fantasy Worldbuilding
Art has the power to transport us to other worlds, to ignite our imaginations, and inspire us to create fantastical worlds in our own writing. Whether it’s a painting, a sculpture, a photograph, a tapestry, or even a piece of music, art can provide the inspiration we need to bring our own fantasy worlds to…
Unearthing the Past: Cave Dwellings in Ancient Armenia Inspiring My Fantasy Novel’s Enchanting Setting
Photo by Ani Adigyozalyan on Unsplash Cave dwellings have been an enduring feature throughout human history, and ancient Armenia holds a rich tapestry of these remarkable habitations. Inspired by the cave dwellings that once adorned the landscapes of ancient Armenia and its neighboring regions, I felt compelled to breathe life into a cave village within…
Ayg, the Goddess of Dawn: Exploring Armenian Mythology
Armenian mythology is rich with stories of gods and goddesses. I’ve always been fascinated by the legends and lore of the lesser-known gods of various pantheons. Ayg (or Arshaluys), the goddess of dawn in Armenian mythology, is a figure about whom little is known. When I discovered Ayg, I was immediately drawn to her role…
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