Hello, fellow disciples! We've been searching far and wide for individuals who have cultivated for a long time. This month, we bring to you an interview with DomiSotto, the author of Crimson Qi and the 2020 Watty-winning story, Winners Don't Have Bad Days.

To read some of Domi's stories, check out the links in the in-line comments here ➟➜

✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧

Tell us a bit about yourself!

I'm a gamer and a gardener, a cat-lover and a mom, a figure-skating fan and a dreamer, a gym rat and a wife.

What is your writing process? Do you outline everything or write as things come to mind? Why?

I outline with a nod to plot-beats from Save the Cat. It helps me to understand my characters' story, feelings and needs and connect them to the events I want to happen. It helps me to say what I want to say.

What are some things that influenced your story?

Compassion. Writing helps me express my feelings about the world and find hope.

Tell us about the main character of one of your stories. What inspired their creation?

Initially, Crimson Qi was a story about a half-demon who was addicted to self-destructive healing and a clever merchant who figured out his nature. But he had to heal someone. Enter the nameless wife of the clever merchant. Someone in the writing group said, Doms, she needs a name. But once you give the character a name, they become someone. So, Tien Lyn became someone and the book told the story about a woman who embraced change and fought for those she loved against all odds and to the bitter end.

What were some challenges you experienced while writing the story?

Conflict doesn't come naturally to me, so I always have to push it one step further. Then ten more steps. And then I worry it's still not enough.

 What message do you hope your story will tell your readers?

Build, build and build the bridges between self and others. Belong and make others belong. Never shut down, no matter how exhausting it is to communicate.

If you woke up in a time or place that was very different from reality, what would you do?

Learn the language of my new reality.

If there was something you could learn (i.e., some spell, some martial arts, etc.) like the main character in your book, what would it be?

My faeries have a way of growing magic gardens that I wish I could learn.

Would you rather go through a lifetime of never finding love or be willing to go through several lifetimes of hardships just to save your love? Why?

I wouldn't trade what loves brings with it for long years. For me, life without love in all its wonderful forms is unsustainable.

 What is your favorite creature from Asian mythology or folklore? Why?

Fenghuang. I love magical birds, I just do. They are both real and magical, and spark the dreams so easily.

What is your favorite Asian myth? Why?

I love the connection between Dragon and Fenghuang in Asian myth, because it tells me that different entities could fly and come together, and protect those they love. 

✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧

Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us, DomiSotto! We wish you the best of luck in your writing endeavors.

Until the next chapter, fellow disciples!