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I love the way that Firelight reimagines the dragon myth into a diverse shapeshifting species with many possible talents and abilities. What was the inspiration behind this?
This is one of those things that I can’t pinpoint the exact moment I came up with the idea. The concept of the draki came to me from pondering the nature of evolution and how one creature (like dragons) might have adapted in order to survive over the millennia. I asked myself how dragons would have evolved in order to survive. Simple: they become most like the thing that hunts them ... humans. From that point, the idea of the draki was born. I knew my protagonist would be a draki, but I wanted her unique even among her kind. That’s when the idea hit me that Jacinda would be the last fire-breathing draki. And from there I started coming up with ideas for other draki talents.
In Firelight we learn that draki are a dying breed. Why is this?
Well, they’ve perfected the art of evolving and adapting to survive. They’re not even dragons any more but a new species ... a species that is losing its dragon-like ways. It’s an unfortunate consequence – in evolving/adapting to survive, they’re becoming less dragon and more human.
The dynamic between Jacinda and her twin sister Tamra is really fascinating. What made you decide not to give Tamra a draki ability of her own?
Really, it was to create more conflict. If Tamra had been a “functioning” draki like Jacinda both their lives would have been easier. Too easy. ;) I doubt the mother would have been as determined to take them away at the start of the book. I wanted that friction between the girls ... and it creates a lot of push and pull amid all three of them: Jacinda, Tamra, and Mom.
I'm already looking forward to the sequel to Firelight. Are there any new types of draki introduced in the second instalment?
Oh, yes! I had fun introducing a visiocrypter draki in the form of Miram, Cassian’s sister. And she’s a naughty one, so that’s always fun – especially with her particular talent. Visiocrypters can make themselves invisible. Imagine a girl with an evil bent who can make herself invisible? Mayhem will ensue.
I also highlight a few other types ... including a hypnos draki – this is the ability to mesmerize. Essentially a hypnos draki can brainwash people. Coming up with various draki talents is definitely one of my favourite parts of writing this series.
If you had the power to transform into a draki, what kind would you be?
Hmm, I think a water draki would be cool. How fun to stay under water indefinitely! But then I’m partial to fire-breathing, of course! It’s a draki talent I’ve come to understand the most in writing three books from the POV of Jacinda.
Thank you Sophie for stopping by and for sharing those fascinating insights with us. Visiocrpyter? Awesome. I'm sure I'm not the only one who's even more excited to read the sequel, Vanish, now!
