BY AVELLINA BALESTRI

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your background.

So.. basically, I’m a 23-year-old with a passion for medieval art and history. Since I became disabled at 18, these studies have really become the center of my life. Apart from that, I’m obsessed with bread and growing trees, and I’m owned by a tabby cat, Peewee, whom I love. I also enjoy spending time in the beautiful nature of my hometown in southern Alaska.

What first inspired you to start writing?

I’ve written stuff since I can remember. Like most kids, I enjoyed world-building and when I was little I’d write copiously about my imaginary characters and draw maps, create languages, etc. That slacked off in  my early teens and I didn’t pick up a pen again till my health started failing around 17, 18. That really brought my life to a standstill and opened a lot of time for introspection as I tried to process the changes in my life. Writing became both a cathartic hobby and a means of escape.

How did you first become interested in history, and what are your favorite time periods?

History is daily fare in my family, and being a very curious kid, I started nosing around my parents’ books and absorbing period dramas very early on. I’ve never had difficulty identifying with the past or envisioning myself in a different time period; I actually have a very strong sensory imagination if that makes sense, where I can just feel the lighting, the texture of the clothes, the smell of the house. I never really had a favorite time though of my own till I ran across the Old Icelandic Sagas. Reading those just sucked me into the  9th-10th centuries. It’s like I belonged there in some past life. Those are the dates I remember, the languages I’ve learned, and it just makes sense in a weird sort of way. There are some good reasons why I wouldn’t want to necessarily go back in time and live then, the level of violence and political chaos for instance, but that doesn’t mean I don’t belong there.

What started you on the journey of historical fiction writing in particular?

Well, I wanted to create a character for my novel, and having studied Old Norse culture and history since childhood, that was the only setting I could truly write about with confidence. They always say a writer should write about what they know. I think I can write a more believable story set in 10th century Norway than modern day New York City! Besides, building my own little world within my favorite pocket in history was just too much fun.

What are your favorite and least favorite parts of working within the historical fiction genre?

My favorite part is dwelling within my era. I feel so comfortable thinking for my characters, feeling and describing their surroundings and experiences. On the flip side, I often feel at a loss how to fill in all the necessary information without info-dumping. There’s a special kind of world-building you do in historical fiction that, to me, differs from fantasy or the like.

How have you chosen which historical characters to feature in your books, and what made their stories resonate with you?

Actually, I’m against the kind of historical fiction that incorporates real-life figures in active roles. I don’t know why, but it has always been really abrasive to me- sort of like putting words in someone’s mouth. I have featured some kings and earls by name only in my books, due to the political nature of the wartime setting. But I try not to involve real people in fictional events.  In terms of inspiration, then the story of the Irish princess Melkorka in Laxdæla saga was the model for my heroine. Her story so epitomized in my mind the plight of women throughout history that I had to rehash it somehow into a full blown novel. Reinvent her as a person, I guess.

What is your process in terms of research and bringing historical characters to life?

This might sound crazy, but I did virtually no Wikipedia type research while writing this book. There were a couple random things I needed to verify in terms of accuracy for the time, and certain references too, but everything else just came as second nature. I know this sounds kind of like bragging, but I don’t mean it that way! It really is true. If you love something and bond with it like I have with my history books, I think it becomes a part of you.

What is your method to integrate fictional characters and situations into the historical setting?

I guess I try to focus on the real life stories that inspire me. It’s like hypothesizing- if one person lived through XYZ, then what if another person like this had lived at that same time. Then what would things have looked  like? I don’t know if I’m explaining it very well. The characters are real in the sense of being models, or possibilities, of real historical lives.

If you had the chance to convey a message to your favorite historical characters, what would it be?

I’m assuming this refers to actual people. There is one person that especially comes to mind- I won’t name them, I’m too shy. But I would like to tell them that they are beautiful and loved, and that they’ve been one of the greatest role models and inspirations of my life.

What do you find more enjoyable/difficult: First drafts or editing/rewriting?

Honestly, I enjoy both. There’s that huge creative rush you get writing the first draft, but then nitpicking and revising can be so absorbing and exciting too, despite the tedium. I can get really preoccupied comparing alternate scenarios for something, or a different take on some dialogue.

How have you gone about publicizing yourself and your works?

That’s where I suck. I’m not much of a social media person, but I’ve realized that that’s a huge part of self-promotion these days. I wanted to do a book signing or event at my local library and bookstore, but they turned me away. I haven’t had much luck approaching the press, either. I think it might be because I am young and obscure- most new authors seem a lot older. Other than that, I try to keep up a blog and I’m hoping people will start signing up for my newsletter. For five-star reviews, I have way less followers than I’d like. But I suppose it all takes time.

What are some of the main themes/morals you would like readers to take away from your works?

Be strong. No matter how awful or overwhelming your lfe might seem or how painful yor loss, in the end, that’s still what you’ll be waking up to in the morning. From my experience, I don’t believe life is fair, but you still have to live despite the injustice- and the best revenge is always to live your best life. In the words of Robert Frost, the only way out is through. I think of so many tragic yet incredibly courageous people I know of who inspire me beyond words. You never know whether you might turn your suffering into comfort for someone else.

What is some advice you would give aspiring authors, especially those focusing on the historical fiction genre?

Wow, I really don’t see myself in a position to give that kind of advice. But I would say that you really need to live your characters’ experience (mentally). Draw maps of the known world at the time, or the different settings in your story. Write those character bios! You can’t define a person too closely. Research the things people would have known about at that time, or the prevailing mores and opinions. Don’t just magine your characters within their context, imagine yourself.

Plug your socials, published works, and current projects!

So… on the web I am the Scaldic Maide at www.scaldic-maide.com. There I post little updates about my writing and related events, reviews for my books, excerpts, upcoming works etc. Currently I am selling my debut book, The Sword, from my website as well as on Amazon and all the major bookstores like Barnes and Noble. In the meantime I have just finished its sequel, The Vow, which will be released December 2024.

Apart from these two, which make up the Oddný Einarsdóttir series, I am in the process of revising an original legend based on the Welsh Mabinogi. It’s a sort of fantasy parody of medieval tropes. I hope to get it out and about by late May of this year. And as if that weren’t enough mythology, my next grand project is a rewrite of the Mabinogi cycle itself, geared for young people. I want to bring the magic and adventure of the stories to modern kids in an accessible, engaging way- think Lloyd Alexander, only this time the myths themselves.

You can also find me on Facebook as Lilypearl Colman and on Instagram as ScaldicMaide.