Thank you to S.L. Rowland for agreeing to an interview. I loved Cursed Cocktails and can’t wait to see what comes out next.

Interview

What was your inspiration for Cursed Cocktails?

The idea came to me while I was reading Travis Baldree’s Legends & Lattes. The idea of a retired hero or adventurer always appealed to me, and I’ve been fascinated by the lives they lead after their days of adventuring are done. 

Did your process change writing a cosy fantasy compared to your other series Sentenced to Troll? 

It was a very different process. Sentenced to Troll is a litrpg, so there are stats to track as the novel unfolds. I’m always making notes of new items, new levels, and abilities. It’s a lot of fun but way more tedious. With my cozy fantasy, I was able to tell the story without having to think about any of that. It was a bit freeing in a way. It was also 3rd person compared to 1st person in Sentenced to Troll.

How did you choose which character to focus the story? 

Rhoren was the first part of the story that came to me. I imagined a blood mage who suffered from chronic pain due to his magic. It was a bit cathartic in a way because I have inflammatory arthritis myself, and so I could always draw on that when I imagined the aching joints he would experience. The story evolved around Rhoren and grew as he explored his new life.

What is your approach to world and character building?

I knew I wanted an epic world that was reminiscent of Dungeons & Dragons. Rhoren came to me pretty fleshed out, and then it was just about building the world around him. I have a folder with all of the kingdoms, cities, gods, types of magic, festivals, governments, etc. Anytime a new idea comes to me, I write it down. As I continue to build this world, I want to make it consistent across all of the books.

Does world building assist in opening new doors for characters in your series?

Absolutely. The main character of the next book in this world appears in a chapter of Cursed Cocktails. I hadn’t planned on it when he was first introduced, but the character kept developing in the background and eventually became a full story.

How did you come up with the beverages Rhoren had in his fathers journal?

I spent 10 years working in restaurants after I graduated from college. Most of my wine and liquor knowledge was acquired during that time. But I also enlisted the help of a friend who loves making cocktails. I sent him a list of items I wanted to include, how they should taste, and what they would represent. He gave me a list of cocktails and I took it and reworked the ingredients so that they would fit within my world.

What do you love about writing a cosy fantasy?

The thing I love the most is that you know the characters will be okay in the end. It’s more about relationships and quiet moments than it is about action and adventure. The slow moments are some of the ones I enjoy most in epic fantasy stories, when a character is at a tavern or camping on the side of the road. That’s where the characters are built and I really love it.

How would you describe Cursed Cocktails in five words?

Found family with delicious drinks.

Did you have a favourite moment to write?

I don’t think so. Everything has its place but I do enjoy it when I write a scene and it gives me goosebumps. Those are the moments where I know I’ve written something special.

What was your favourite book growing up?

The Hobbit is what really got me into fantasy novels, but I would say Harry Potter had the biggest impact on me as a child. There was something about Harry escaping a rough life into a world he belonged that resonated with me at the time.

Do you have a favourite genre to read?

Fantasy, for sure. Epic fantasy, YA, cozy, litrpg, grimdark. It depends on my mood, but I will read just about any subgenre of fantasy.

Definitely check out Cursed Cocktails as well as Sentenced to Roll on Amazon and Kindle Unlimited.