Undine’s Blessing by Tessa Hastjarjanto
What led you into writing?
I had stories I needed to get out of my head. Then my day job got so bad and toxic I needed to quit for my health and I decided to give it a go and self publish.
How does a typical day look?
I don’t have a day job because of my disabilities so I spend most days on trying to survive, care for my dog (as she cares for me), and writing when pain and brain fog allow. Every day is different because of random flare-ups.
In what ways do your characters test your abilities?
Marella’s journey is very emotional so I had to hone my emotional writing skills. I had to go deep for this one but it’s so worth it. My writing grew a lot through this and I hope it shows.
What’s your setup?
I sit on the ground with my laptop on a stand. I’ll often have a blanket on/over me and a cup of tea on the table next to me.
What lasting effects have your favourite authors had on your writing and style?
Diana Wynne Jones and Neil Gaiman are two authors that inspired me to write the most. I can only wish my books will be close to Jones’s but that’s what I aim for. Neil Gaiman as a person is hugely inspirational. His stories taught me to not be confined. Write what you want and find what the stories need.
What do you do for inspiration?
Watch movies, play games, read other books. Movies especially influence my stories a lot. Undine’s Blessing has a lot of elements from several Disney and Pixar movies.
What repeating themes do you find yourself pulling into your stories?
Self discovery. All of my stories are human stories. Main characters discover new parts of themselves. Wonder is also a returning element but not a theme. I can promise you will find surprising and beautiful things in my books.
How do you wind down?
A cup of tea, a good book/movie/game and chill.
What sort of challenges do you regularly overcome while designing your world/setting?
How to get what I have in my mind onto the page. English isn’t my native language so translating can be tough. My brain fog also gets in the way of finding the right words.
What are you reading at the moment?
The Teller of Small Fortunes by Julie Leong
What’s the most useful advice you could give to an aspiring author?
Whatever you do, finish your book. After that you can decide what to do with it but every story deserves an ending.
Tell us about the book you’re promoting.
Undine’s Blessing is a standalone book in my Lunis Aquaria fantasy universe. While I market it as YA, it can be read by upper middle grade readers who want something older but without romance, or adults who want to experience the wonder again of books they read during childhood. You can even read it together as a parent with your child. Chronic illness and caretaking is a central part of the story, but also finding yourself and your emotions.
It’s currently participating in SPFBO and BBNYA. At the time of writing I haven’t been cut yet in either contest.
