Temeraire Interviews

Historical Fiction Award Winner: Queen_of_life_Heba

Congratulations to Queen_of_life_Heba for coming first place in the Historical Fiction category of the Temeraire Awards 2021 with Genesis: The Story Retold. As the first place winner, you were entitled to a free interview. Thank you for sending your responses! I loved reading your story, it's so unique and entertaining :) 

Basics 

Username: Queen_of_life_Heba

Book title: Genesis: The Story Retold

Genre: Historical Fiction

Short synopsis: Both hiding deep scars from their respective pasts, Princess Ankhesenpaaten of Lower Kemet and Prince Tutankhamun of Upper Kemet had agreed to marry each other only for the sake of their kingdoms. But when calamity strikes the wedding feast and the two young souls are put on the throne, not only they grow close but ultimately fall for each other.

High Priestess and a renowned sorcerer, Meritheka is plagued by obscure visions and cryptic messages from the gods. They seem to warn her of some huge disaster. But, by the time she deciphers the true meaning, it might be too late. In the magnificent city of Waset, the capital of Upper Kemet, brews a treacherous plot. A plot triggered by veageance, lust for power and years of misunderstanding. Not only will it shatter all those who call it home but also topple the balance of order and chaos worldwide. And, it can only be prevented by divine intervention...

General Questions

When did you start writing? 

I started writing when I was really, really young, like 5 or 6 years old. Those days it was mostly poetry (well, that's one of my favourite ways to express my emotions. Poetry is the balm to the soul. ) But as you can guess it was more of a pastime than a passion. It was only after I was 11, I actually started learning and exploring the craft. It was also the time when Genesis's plot started to form in my mind.

What is your favourite and least favourite thing about writing? 

There are a lot of things that I love about writing, especially how a person can express themselves through their words. Writing is truly a reflection of an individual's mind, thinking and soul. That's why it's important that an author should understand that what impact can their words create. After all, the pen is way mightier than the sword.

The bit I don't like about writing is how people like to judge an individual's work without even considering what they went through, while nurturing that story. And it's really very hurting.

Who is your inspiration in writing? Do you have a favourite author or book?

Inspiration? There are many whom I look up to, especially Howard Carter (the archaeologist who discovered Pharaoh Tutankhamun's tomb.) Even though he is not an author, it is his life story, which made me realise how resilience and determination can take a person to unthinkable heights of success. And as for books and authors, I consider Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi and The Shiva Trilogy by Amish Tripathi to be the greatest motivator and inspiration to continue writing. These two brilliant authors made me realise that writing is not something inborn but it is a craft which needs to be honed and polished, and that every author once was an amateur. They make me believe in myself, my capabilities and my dream of becoming a published author someday.