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 storieswithsoul, the author of Dead Heart Longing and Grand Winner of The Immortals' Conquest 2022.

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Tell us a bit about yourself!

My name is Fizza and I'm an economist who loves fiction, especially fantasy. I have been an avid reader from a very young age and books are a big part of my life. Reading books by authors from around the world has shaped my life and I find it the best food for the soul. Nothing connects us in a better way than written words. Besides reading, I enjoy spending time with friends & family, long walks, and painting. In my head, I love traveling too, but with my travel anxiety, the reality is very different. Still, I haven't yet given up on my dream of traveling the world solo.

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

Like everything else in my life, I write without a plan. I have never planned for anything, ever. Because I'm very bad at following plans. I'm a person who is always open to new possibilities and let the universe guide me. It's the same with my writing. My stories surprise me more often than I can count, and many times plot twists hit me like thunderbolts. I just enjoy the unexpectedness of it all and let my characters decide whichever direction they want to go in. In the end, if I'm not satisfied, I change things when I edit.

What are some things that influenced your story?

More than anything else, what I read influences my stories. For example, I was reading the translated work of Robin Kornman (i.e., The Epic of Gesar of Ling) when I started writing Dead Heart Longing. I was enjoying reading the folklore about King Gesar's life and his heroic deeds as a warrior. And that influenced my story in a big way. Other than that, my personal experiences/views and the people around me also influenced the story.

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

So, in Dead Heart Longing the character of King Gesar is inspired by Tibetan folklore. As for the female protagonist, Nur Bakht; her character is inspired by a number of different things. From the start, it was obvious to me that she must be from Baltistan. Not only because that would give her character the back story it needed, but also because I'm in love with the place and the Balti people. Their history fascinates me, to say the least. And her character is also inspired by a Pakistani actress, Ayeza Khan. Not looks-wise, per se, but rather personality-wise. A talkative, fun-loving person with a (somewhat) happy disposition and strong work ethic. Lastly, the contest prompt shaped how these two characters would come to life.

What were some challenges you experienced while writing the story?

The most challenging thing was to balance the past with the present. Sometimes, when you research a lot, it becomes very difficult to leave out unnecessary information. Many times, I would remind myself that I must focus on my story not what the Epic said, or what anyone else wrote about the region and/or the characters. The other thing was to stay true to the prompt and the theme. Because I never plan, this is something I often struggle with. Your characters try to pull you in opposite direction, but you have to stay true to the original idea that made the story possible in the first place.

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

First of all, I hope that readers enjoy my story. After that, a few of the messages that I hope my story relays are: 1. Perspective is everything. In this story, we have different characters from different parts of the world, some even from different realms and time periods, and that broadens our perspective. 2. Empathy is very important. By seeing how different characters rationalize their thoughts and feelings we can learn to be more empathetic. 3. Never overlook or underestimate the importance of oral history. Not everything is recorded in books. The lessons we learn from our elders are just as important.

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

I would most probably think I'm dreaming and just go with the flow.

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?

I would definitely love to communicate with ghosts like Nur. Imagine the stories they would have to tell. Life would never be boring, that's for sure.

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?

This is a tough one. A life without love seems meaningless but spending several lifetimes facing hardships doesn't hold any charm for me either. I guess I would rather not find love at all than live in the potential pain of having to save the said love. That's romantic only in fiction.

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

Peri (Fairy). In Asian mythology, they are often portrayed as the most beautiful beings who are good and everything pure. They are depicted as kind-hearted creatures who fall into traps set by evil creatures. Their naivety is definitely not why I like them, though. But I love the idea of goodness that's attached to them.

What is your favorite Asian myth? Why?

My favorite is the myth of half-human and half-snake creatures. There are many, narrated differently in different Asian regions, but my favorite is the story of Shahmaran (fire snake) and Camasb (the first man she encounters). It's a story of love and betrayal. And I think it's tragically beautiful.

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

Until the next chapter, fellow disciples!