Come with me on a journey and immerse yourself in the creation of the captivating realm of Alvadar. Not everyone writes a fantasy novel to destress, but as a STEM major, this creative outlet allows one side of my mind to breathe while tapping into the other. Imagination and adventure shape us. As an author of six published books I often find myself dreaming in different worlds, seeing life through other’s eyes, and writing about adventure that I so deeply crave.
In this fantastical world, extraordinary creatures, ranging from the meek to the terrifying, roam freely, serving as both enigmatic guides and ever-evolving forces of power. The inhabitants of Alvadar, a brilliant and diverse people, are bound together by a shared commitment to safeguard their homeland from the lurking beasts, driven by an unwavering aspiration for peace. This drive to protect the ones they love forces a few brave souls to travel into lands never before explored in search of not only a solution to deliver them from their distress but also to find one who can save them. Little did they know that the answers were in their midst the whole time.
As the characters delve into their journeys, I cannot help but find joy in the magic of making. I love living life alongside characters that learn about themselves, battle their demons, battle monsters, cry, fail, fall, laugh, dance, smile and sing—at the same time that I am battling my own monsters in real life. World-building is not just the making of a fantastical world; it’s making a fantastical world real. I want my readers to immerse themselves in the culture, language, and history of the character’s lived experiences to live alongside them, not just view them. Let the readers also make the choices that the characters are confronted with. Let the readers wrestle with the same complex topics that the characters do. Despite events taking place in a land where it is natural to wield the Arts (a magic system of manipulating the elements of the land) and fly on giant falcons, these people are still finite and wrestle with things we all do, such as grief, letting go of grudges and learning forgiveness. They come together to find joy in fellowship, a good adventure, the curious nature of animals and the cozy pleasantries of food.
Within Alvadar, the inhabitants possess a vibrant voice expressed through song, dance, storytelling and collective memory that traces their journey to the present. The process of crafting the history of this unique world has propelled me towards endeavors such as the development of intricate languages. Foremost among them is Ancient Kelshi, a language that adds depth and authenticity to the tapestry of Alvadar. Venturing into the creation of a language is a rare privilege, yet it has unveiled the extent to which I can breathe life into this extraordinary world.
This tale is known as “The Guardian Saga,” and three books of the series have been published. All can be found on Amazon.com, along with my poetry. I am in the midst of authoring a fourth volume and cannot wait to share it with the world. I hope these books can be a blessing to those around me.