2020 impacted our world greatly. And after three months, I mentally, like many, wanted normalcy and missed connections with people. Now, I had a wonderful now good friend of mine message me, telling me they admired all my otaku nerdom and posts (Aww). We started talking and it got me thinking, “I know a lot of girls my age locally that like anime, but they are all apart of like 3-4 social circles I have. Why can’t we all get together once it’s safe, to nerd and support each other?” So, I contacted five other girls and we started planning. The rest is history, forming the “Girls Otaku Anime Club,” us meeting once a month to make Japanese food, watch anime, read manga, play games, and just fully express ourselves. Now, these ladies are my sisters and a huge part of my heart.
Now, Sarah, the friend that contacted me, mentioned to me she had a friend who loved anime as well and wanted to see if I was willing to meet her. This new friend even invited me over and offered to cook for me! I was touched and agreed. More history in the making! This friend of a new friend is Drew, our guest for this post today! Drew is a star when she enters the room. She is not afraid to be herself, colorful, bold, radiant, and fun. But she also has a heart of gold and doesn’t hesitate to do anything for those she loves. Her expressions crack me up and her laugh sends you in a fit of giggles. She also is creative, giving, a good cook, and a fantastic fur momma. Drew has to deal with sickness and she does it like a diva! I admire and care for her greatly. I am so glad we have gotten to be so close, all seven of us, being there for each other through anything. So, when she told me that she was working on her own book, being an avid reader herself, I knew I had to bring her on here for AAS!
So, without further ado, please get ready to hoot with this unicorn angel and my owlett D and D soul sister, Ms. Drew Hartenberger!
Aspiring Author Spotlight Questions:
#1. When you wake up in the morning, how do you see life?
As an adventure of my own making.
#2. How did writing find its way into your life?
I’ve always loved to read, ever since I was little. I’ve also loved to write poetry and had been published a couple of times in high school. I had been talking about an idea for a book to my friend Sheena for years. Finally, we were eating sushi one day and she convinced me to start writing the idea down and share it to her for her to read.
#3. What does writing do for you?
Writing allows me to get out of my head. Especially when I’m stressed out or upset, I can steal away to this other world I’ve created and play out different scenarios with the characters I’ve created.
#4. What sort of genre or type of writing do you do?
Right now I’m working on the first book in a trilogy that is in the fantasy genre, but I’d love to write in the paranormal and science fiction genres too.
#5. Do events in your life or people you know affect your writing?
Yes, greatly. Most of my characters are based on many friends and their personalities or how they would handle situations.
#6. What are you currently working on or what was the last thing you wrote?
Wings of White– the first book in a planned fantasy trilogy
#7. Can you tell us a little about it and its inspiration?
I had started playing D & D for the first time and had to come up with a character. After building my character and writing her back story, I started playing around with a world based around her character. I also wanted to bring more representation for LGBTQ main characters. Because I’ve often felt that even though they are represented more in literature now, they’re often the side characters. So my main characters are dealing with who they are, and also the main conflict of the series.
#8. What are your path goals for the future?
After I finish this first book I would like to attempt to get it published, but if not, I’ll still continue writing the series. I have about 15 people who are reading it as I write it.
#9. What are your interests or hobbies?
I love camping, hiking, and crafting. I make tumblers and jewelry. I also love singing, reading, and watching movies.
#10. If you could be a superhero, what are your powers and how would you use them to help the world?
I would want to be able to teleport wherever I want and take people with me. I would use to save people or bring others to places quickly where they can help those in need.
#11. What advice would you give people who want to write?
Do it. It doesn’t matter what you write or how good it is to start. Just sit down and start. That’s the hardest part, everything else from there can be fixed!
#12. If you could be remembered for one thing or thought, what would it be?
I would like to be remembered as having a kind and caring heart.
Sample of Work:
“Vaia Chronicles Book #1: Wings of White:”
“Ayla! We have to leave now!” Sifa extended her wings, preparing to glide down to the forest floor.
“Too slow, Sif!” Ayla giggled as she pounced from behind and tackled Sifa, knocking her off the branch. Deftly, they both maneuvered themselves through the branches, landing on the stoop of their Turt.
“Ayla where have you been? We have to go now. We can’t be late for the Initiate Ceremony.”
“I went say goodbye to my friends. I didn’t mean to cause you trouble Sif…” Her lip trembled slightly as she cast her shining gold eyes downward.
“Do you have your bag? We won’t be coming back here again, so take whatever you want to keep.”
“Yes, I have it all packed. I’m ready to leave.” Her fist clenched into a ball and she looked straight into Sifa’s eyes. “Why did you say yes to the Gray Guard? Do you really have to leave the forest?” She bit her lip and sucked in her cheeks. “I don’t see what is so important in Tethis that you would give up our home.”
Sifa knew this would be hard for Ayla when she broke the news a week ago. Ayla had been sulking and more sullen than usual. Spending most of her time during the day out in the valley, then curling up against Sifa’s back when she thought Sifa was asleep. Sifa knew saying goodbye to her home, her way of life, and her only family all in one day would be stressful and difficult. But it had to be done. Ayla was of age, and by law she had to spend three years as an initiate in the Pathway of Light. After she would be able to choose her own path. By the grace of the Goddess, hopefully being sequestered in Harpy Hall, she would continue to be kept safe from whoever had hunted down her parents. Sifa reached out and dotingly ruffled Ayla’s soft white feathers, drawing her in for a hug. She felt the tension leave her delicate shoulders.
“I know this is hard for you, but you are strong.” Sifa murmured into her hair. Pulling her back, she locked her gaze with Ayla’s, “You have strength that lives inside you from your father, mother, and me. I promise I will always be here for you. But there are things I must do. Answers I need to find for you and for me about your parents. I can only do that by going to Tethis and questioning the conclave delegates.” Releasing her grip on Ayla’s shoulders she turned and picked up her own traveling bag, strapping it across her chest, she unfurled her wings, “Let’s go, time to take flight.” With that, she launched herself off the stoop and into the air. She glanced back to make sure Ayla followed and they both took to the clouds.
After an hour of flying, Sifa knew Ayla would be fatigued. Her small frame and uniquely shaped wings were not made for long distance and endurance flights. They landed on the grand veranda of Harpy Hall. From this day on, the safety of Ayla would be out of her hands. The thought that she could no longer watch over Ayla caused a knot in her stomach and her heart to race. This couldn’t be put off any longer. Initiates were received at the beginning of their fifteenth year, but since she did not know exactly when Ayla was born, she had waited until the last cycle of her fifteenth year. Initiates were only accepted on the fifth day of every cycle, so this was their last chance. She peeked at Ayla. Ayla’s mouth was drawn in a tight line, cheeks flushed, as she nervously picked at her traveling pack. Her face showed how taxing the flight had been on her delicate body. Reaching out, she lovingly ruffled Ayla’s silky white feathers and gave her a crooked grin before stepping into the archway of the Great Hall.
Ayla grudgingly followed behind Sifa, but her tune changed at the sight coming into view. Immediately, she was in awe of the beautiful carvings that adorned the ceiling of the Great Hall. They resembled vines and flowers, almost as if they had turned to wood and became part of the Great Tree itself. Such fine and minute detail must have taken years to create. Only the most skilled woodworkers of the Kinnara clan could have created such breath-taking details. She scanned the hall, studying the other initiates with their guardians. She was intrigued by the diversity in colors. The vast majority had feathers that were a variation of honey-brown like Sifa and raven-black like Zandros. Her stomach fluttered as she noticed not a single kestrian had pure white feathers like hers. Even though there was no one with pure white, there were quite a few that were extraordinarily colorful. Her eyes were drawn to a stunningly tall slender girl with vivid crimson wings and shiny black hair. She stared in amazement until a piercing voice sounded throughout the hall, causing her focus to change to the balcony across The Great Hall.
“Welcome Initiates! It is my truest hope that you will spend the next three years devoting yourselves to receiving the light of Gaia, learning to be a steward of the forest, and forging unbreakable bonds with your brothers and sisters. Please come forward and receive your attire for today’s ceremony from Sister Cala and Brother Kyrin. They will show you to the changing rooms.”
Then the aged radiant silver-winged speaker turned and disappeared behind the hanging vines and moss, as two individuals, Sister Cala and Brother Kyrin she assumed, began distributing white robes. Hesitantly, she stepped forward and grasped the clothing as it was placed in her hands. Keeping her eyes cast down, she mumbled thanks and stepped back beside Sifa. She felt Sifa’s comforting hand on her back, as she clenched the robe tightly trying to keep her whole body from shaking. As the other initiates began to follow toward the changing chambers, she felt her feet glued to the floor. This was really happening. After initiation, she would be separated from Sifa, the only parent she had ever known her whole life. Today, everything would change, and she prayed silently for the strength to accept it.
“Ayla, you need to follow them. You’re gonna be alright. I promise,” Sifa murmured and she leaned down and tightly hugged her shoulders. As she let go, Ayla felt something break within her and she was released and able to take a step forward. She looked ahead, keeping her eyes cast downward, and took the first steps into her new life.
Short Bio on Aspiring Author:
Drew Hartenberger is an elementary music teacher who loves to write and read. She lives with her two dogs: Brea and Kai, and her two cats: Selene and Nyx. She loves to be outdoors, and often finds herself lost in nature. She enjoys watching anime, reading, and spending time with her family and friends.