Chapter 20: Dragon Fang The Warlock with Kathrina Csernis

The Warlock plucked a tiny scale that grew over the end of her finger nail.Placing it upon the surface of her tongue, dissolving away, her words now sung. They flew with a deafening sound, as she spoke to the World in the Sky, to the World Underground.

Question 1 : Who are some of your favorite literary characters ? 

Okay, bear with me, I haven't read a huge variety of novels, and when I did spend all my spare time reading, I was just a kid, so I'm not exactly one of those people that have read Epics and huge overly popular series. I did read my fair selection of novels, however it was so long ago that I can barely remember, but I'll try lol. So, this is what I have for you:

I think I'll start with the first one that came to mind, and he's from one of the very first books I ever read. He's called Varjak, a rather overly curious yet adorable Mesopotamian blue cat and the main character from the book 'Varjak Paw' by S. F. Said. I guess at the time I loved him because he was a cat, and I read that book when I was around seven years old. I was obsessed with cats. But after reading both books again a little while ago, I learned to appreciate the fact that he was one of those characters that put aside his needs and wants to help his friends and family. The best thing, I think, about him was that he was a 'cat ninja' as I like to call it. He learnt 'the way of the paw' in order to help out his fellow street cats and save them from a rather nasty 'gang leader cat' by the name of Sally Bones. It may sound cheesy, but hey, it was meant for 6-8 year olds. It really was an amazing story though, for a kids book.

Another of my favourites would be Harry Potter, but I gather he's a pretty popular one. Honestly, his character in the books was a lot better than the movies. He was sassy as hell and had me cracking up, but with the movies, that wasn't the case. I wasn't one of those people who started reading the series right away, heck, I didn't even read the first book until the fifth movie had been released, but I'm glad I decided to read them. Harry was very different in the books, and a lot better, in my opinion. I'll never forget all the times he got sassy with Proffessor Snape.

I read A LOT of Jacqueline Wilson when I was younger, she was my favourite author, and created a wide variety of different characters, most of which I loved. My favourite character through all her novels has to be the Lively next-door neighbour, Tanya, from bad girls. The main character of the book was called Mandy, and she was bullied something awful at school. But on her way home from school one day, she stumbles across this Tanya, who just so happens to be her new next door neighbour. I clicked with Tanya the second she was introduced, she was like the big sister that I always wanted. Although she wasn't the best role model, she was still the kindest, most heart-warming character I'd come across through all of Wilsons novels. One of my favourite things about her was the fact that she'd always sneak cookies over to Mandy lol Just thinking about the story makes me want to go and give it another read haha

I'm not sure if this would count, but I recently read a novel on Booksie, and it was by far one of the most gripping, amazingly written and heart-wrenching stories I have stumbled upon. It's called Meleek, and the main character is also called Meleek... he was my favourite character from the said book, I loved everything about him; he was one of the most realest, relatable characters and his character was so amazingly developed through the book that I actually got attached to him, and when the time came for me finishing the book, it had me in tears. This Meleek is an Elf living in modern society and the book has you follow him from the very moment he was 'born'. He was one of the funniest, cheesiest, and dim-witted goofy characters (I mean that in a good way) and everything about him was just lovable to the point I found myself wishing I had a friend like him.

The Warlocks voice broke into a thousand tiny sounds, each waiting for a listening ear to be found. 

They found their home, one by one, a tiny whisper raising the dead, new life now becomes.

Question 2 : What is your favorite word ? 

My favourite word would have to be crimson. I write a lot of gore and violence, and I don't really like to use the word 'red' to describe the blood all the time. Crimson is actually a rich, deep red, inclining to purple. It just sounds a lot better than red in all senses. For example, ''the water stained crimson with their blood'' - it honestly sounds a lot better than saying it stained red, it's just too basic. I use a lot of words to replace red, vermilion being my newest, but crimson has always and will always be my favourite. It tends to suit my Vampire themes more as well; crimson just sounds far more profound and solemn.

Calling now with thought, not words, they traveled from far, a distance not dared by even the birds. 

But these birds, now scaly winged, were cloaked shiny with the power of flight. 

The Warlock, she is pleased, smiling with a pearly delight.

Question 3 : When you write, do you know exactly what you want to say, or do you "freestyle", "stream of conscience", "wing it', ....and do you do a lot of editing of yourself ? Or, you do just know exactly the right words to put down ?

Well, it all really depends. Sometimes, I have a well planned-out idea of what's going to happen, and then sometimes I just 'freestyle'. I find that I write a lot faster when I have a detailed idea of what I want to happen; I try to plan out my chapters before I write them, but sometimes I just let the story take me. Usually, I 'wing it' with action scenes, especially the fight scenes, that comes to me as I write. But main plot points are usually planned out ahead of time.

When it comes to editing, I will admit I'm not the best at it. My first book needs a lot of editing, and I currently have a very helpful person reading through and marking out everything for me that needs editing. But my latest books actually don't need much editing, as my writing had dramatically improved since my first novel. Honestly, with my newest novel, I know exactly what to put down and where - I did a lot of 'research' before starting it, and my range of vocabulary has increased, and I know just how to use certain words, and it makes everything a whole lot better for me and my readers alike.

And then, they gathered , the masses too many to count. 

Silver tongues, golden fangs, obsidian coral colored wings, waiting for the rider to mount.

Question 4: Where is you favorite place : " You have been", " have never been" , "can imagine." ?

Well, my favourite place that I have actually been to would have to be Scotland, UK. I absolutely love castles and old small towns/villages, and Scotland just so happens to be full of them. Everywhere you look or go, there's always some kind of remnant from the medieval ages - it's kind of an inspiration paradise for someone like me. I know that there are better places to find them, such as Norway, or Germany, but I'm not much of a traveller. I'd like to travel, but I've never found the right time sadly.

So, my favourite place I have never been to would be Japan. I know that's a pretty popular one, but I have been in love with Japan since I was very young. I'm a real sucker for pretty scenery, and Japan simply tops the list of what I perceive to be the worlds most beautiful places. I was actually asked a while ago if I had actually been to Japan, as one of my novels was set in Japan, and they were surprised to find out that I hadn't. Apparently, my descriptions were so well done that it made them think I was speaking from experience - all I had to say was that I wish I had been. Everything from the forests of blossom trees to the huge cities like Tokyo, everything about it is prepossessing, and beyond stunning. Hopefully one day I'll get to visit.

As for a favourite place I can imagine, that could really mean two things - well, it does to me - either an actual place, or a place made completely from my imagination. If it were one from my imagination and own creation, it would be a Dojo I created for my second novel. Of course, it's set in Japan, and I spent at least three weeks completely thinking up the entire place. I think I explained every last detail right down the shape of the grass on the ground, and it painted the perfect picture for both myself and my readers. In actuality, the place was a replica from what I imagined Japan to be like back when I was younger. I have always wanted to visit a Dojo though, so I thought 'if I can't actually go and visit one, I'll create my own and explore it as my characters do. I think I'll quote the novel's description:

''Kathrina stared ahead at what sat beyond the arch way – There was a huge clearing, no bamboo ahead at all apart from that which created the path. Instead, there were several huge buildings that she had never even seen nor heard of before… Their design was strange, but beautiful. The centre building was the largest, towering up into the blue sky, its roof red in color with white dimly glowing lanterns hanging from each corner. The walls were white and decorated with flower-like patterns, pink and light blue in color, spreading all around the building. Each floor had a balcony, the fence also red like the roof.

The ground was covered in a very thin, soft-looking layer of green grass, several lakes and ponds scattered everywhere. Beside a calmly flowing river was another building, but this one was smaller and looked as if it was a single floor. Its roof was brown in color, but had the same designed walls as the largest one. The strangest thing about them was that there were no windows or doors…

She looked at another building beside that one – It looked exactly the same: rectangular in shape, spreading around into a square shape with what looked like a clear outside in the centre – A garden, perhaps? There was no sign of any people, but the sound of people yelling, clashing swords and the beating of drums echoed from beyond the arch way. Perplexed, she looked around at all of the smaller buildings, thinking that maybe they were inside.''

Then the other Warlocks, from clans long forgotten, trodged through to the scene, pleased at the Dragons,

no longer bones and dust, no longer donned with scales, rotten.

Question 5 : Why do you write ? 

Well, I think I can say I write to escape from reality. When I write, everything is entirely my own: the world, the characters, the story - I can have whatever I want happen, and the world can be anything I want it to be. Fantasy is my main genre because, honestly, the real world is boring, and interests me as much as those nasty greens interest a kid.

I mainly write for myself; as I said, it helps me escape from the real world, and anything is possible. But, I will admit, I write partly for my fans too. I'm extremely dedicated, and strive to satisfy my readers. I hate to keep people waiting, and I have a fair amount of people always waiting for the next chapter. Although sometimes, I can feel kinda pressurised, and I cannot write to save my life when that happens. But I'm one of those writers that can conjure something they'll love in half a day, maybe less, and they always make sure to let me know just how much they enjoy it, and that motivates me. I love seeing that my work is appreciated.

So, I write for myself and my fans. I have been writing ever since the day I was able to hold a pen, and I don't think I'll ever stop.

Soon each Lock, whose name meant War, climbed atop the winged  Serpents, in the sky now soar.  

Elements and atmosphere they commanded from the air, making things right, and stopping those who dared,

unseen in day, unheard in night, one word starts it, one tiny word, stops the fight.

And, so the Warlock, whose first blood became the last, watched over the World, a glassy mirror forged in the future, looking into the past. 

Thank you, Kathrina Csernis, sing into life with a thunderous sword of biting lift, the darkness that hides in the light, that power of the word, this verbal gift.