Featured Interview With Iffix Y Santaph
Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I grew up in Hibbing, Minnesota. As any of my peers would tell you, there was not a lot for excitement there, so I made my own fun with writing stories. I recently relocated to Marlboro County, South Carolina. In truth, there’s not much here, either, but it’s definitely warmer, and I’ve really been enjoying the area.
At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
As anyone would tell you, there was not much by way of excitement in Northern Minnesota. I started writing stories for my own enjoyment when I was seven. I lost my grandfather at an early age, and I found it very therapeutic to deal with the loss. My first favorite books were written by the British author Beatrix Potter. My favorite story of hers was Squirrel Nutkin. The title character taught me a lot about mischief, something I have endeavored to include in a number of my own characters over the years.
Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I have enjoyed a great many stories over the years. Some of my favorite authors include Brandon Sanderson (Mistborn Trilogy, Elantris, The Reckoners), Eoin Colfer (Artemis Fowl), Patrick Carman (The Land of Elyon), Terry Pratchett (Discworld), and Lemony Snicket (A Series of Misfortunate Events). I tend to gravitate toward Science Fiction and Fantasy.
I admire that most of these authors share their writing experiences very freely so I have been able to learn a lot from their advice. I also would like to mention K.M. Weiland as an inspiration. Her advice has been invaluable. (Find her on YouTube.)
I have also been inspired by music and artwork when developing my stories. For example, while I was first developing the story-arc for my current series Forgotten Princess (still largely under development), I contacted a number of artists I had met online and asked if they would be willing to share their artwork to inspire my characters and settings, and they readily agreed. So a whole group of artists helped me to imagine the settings.
Also, at about the time I was starting to write my series, Evanescence released their self-titled album, and the music inspired the attitude of Jendra, my main character in Impulse (Forgotten Princess, Book 1). I am not pleased to admit that I blared my stereo during her breaking point scene and now I have slight hearing loss. I would also mention the group Two Steps from Hell, who writes mostly Movie Scores as a tremendous inspiration. I listened to a lot of their album Skyworld as I was developing the sequel Deception, which is currently under editing.
Tell us a little about your latest book?
What if the quest for happiness was forbidden? What if you just knew that paradise was out there and no one wanted you to find it?
Three friends stand at the edge of their underground city. It is said that stepping into the unknown world is suicide. And anyone who leaves the city will surely be exiled.
Will they risk everything they’ve ever known, even their lives, for a chance at happiness? And if they do, will they ever find paradise?
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