Behind the Story

It all started with an idea... no no no, that's literally every book in the world. I'll try again: it started with a pact between two friends. Yes, that sounds better! Search for Snow originated in high school, where my friend and I had told each other to write the beginnings of a story based at a magical school for elementals. We would then swap stories and edit each other's work. My friend soon gave up on her story, whereas I was just beginning! Even then, I saw the potential in the type of story I could create, and four years later, here I am. With a maximum of about 10 readers😁... oh well, no one said getting people to read my book would be easy!

But I digress.

(My inspiration for the Pawa Sonzai Academy!

Source: https://www.pinterest.com.au/pin/504684701975120404/)

Not many people know this (not just because my book isn't that popular yet😅), but much of my first book Search for Snow is based off of events and people in my life. I'm sure many authors do this, yet while writing the book I couldn't help but take in the current events of my life and twist and turn them until they fit into the story. I believe its called contextualising when one studies books in later life (although I doubt Search for Snow will be studied in an English classroom any time in the future).

Also, all the main characters are based off of people I know in real life - sometimes just appearance wise, or personality wise - and even if some of them don't know who they are, I'd still like to thank them for being themselves! It saved me some character developing time. I'll give you one example: Sophie Orona, the feisty fire elemental, is based off of my twin sister, with her blessing I might add. While my twin isn't actually like Sophie all the time (because all characters take on a life of their own at some point), let's just say she can be like Sophie, but only around me😅 Appearance wise they are similar. Blonde hair and greenish eyes.

Even some of the professors and teachers at the Pawa Sonzai Academy (or just the Academy for short) are based off of teachers I had in school😉 It's more fun that way! Ms Felis is a prime example. I just find her so hilarious, even though she can be brutally honest! The teacher that I based her off was similar, and I like to think that we both shared a dark humour when I was in her class. She was a great teacher! She knew her stuff, in and out. A lifetime of knowledge.

One event I would like to point out that guided the story was the setting of Alexa's first meeting with her spirit animal, Atlantycus (or Ty). Alexa was in a cave, and at the time of writing this, I had just been to a cave to wonder at the stalagmites and stalactites, and the ancient history of the place. It inspired me!

Thank you, life, and the people in mine that helped Search for Snow along! I couldn't have done it without you!

-Andra K.