Interview with Riverfolk

Originally posted here: https://www.riverfolkbooks.com/news

What inspired you to start writing?

I began writing fiction in the middle of the pandemic as a form of escape. By day, I’m a healthcare professional who spends a lot of time creating resources for others in the field. Writing an isekai gave me a way to step away from it, even if just for a little while.

How'd you come up with the idea for this series?

As a fantasy fan, I love heroes. I want them to grow stronger, be praised for their efforts, win, and get their happy ending. Of course, I don’t want it to be too easy—they have to work hard for that “hero” title! I need to be entertained, after all. But in real life, I struggle with the social construct of “heroes,” especially when it’s used to praise frontline workers for performing hazardous jobs. It creates an expectation that they’re tireless, invincible, and fully willing to self-sacrifice—even when the risks they’re taking could have and should have been prevented with proper systems in place. During the pandemic, I saw my colleagues treated like this kind of hero, and the worship placed unrealistic pressure on them to succeed without the proper resources or safeguards. It didn’t feel right. So, I wrote a story where “The Chosen One” realizes the Big Bad Evil Guy isn’t really the problem—it’s the system that allowed the BBEG to exist in the first place.

Who's your favorite character in this book? (And are they based on any characters you love in real life or works of fiction?)

I love Rae, Nora, and of course, Euphridia. Honestly, they (sometimes) represent the three sides of me. Most people say they have two wolves inside them—I went with the three stooges instead. Rae is a love letter to my younger self, telling her that “normal” doesn’t exist, that it’s okay to question things, and that making mistakes is part of learning. Nora is who I wish I could be when I need to act with confidence. Euphridia is probably who I’d become if I ever had significant power—absolutely irresponsible. There’s another character I adore, too, but he’s more than a little upset that he only gets mentioned every so often. He’ll be fine. Probably.

If there's one thing you want readers to take away from your story, what would it be?

When something terrible happens, it’s easy to blame people. But that doesn’t stop it from happening again. If you want real change, look beyond the individual. Look at the systems and tools that shape behavior and decision-making. It’s hard, but it’s worth it.

If you could do a crossover with any story, which would you choose?

Oh, I’d absolutely send my characters into other worlds to fix systems—once they’ve grown as a team themselves, of course. I can totally see a Charlie’s Angels setup where they’re sent on missions to other stories to help other characters break free of harmful tropes. Do you have a male lead whose red flags are even more crimson than the villain’s? Nora will take care of it.

Tell us something about yourself - anything at all.

I love it when a series hides little details, like offhand comments in the early pages that seem minor at first but, on a second read, turn out to be major plot points.

If you could tell teenage you one piece of advice, what would it be?

“It gets better. You will find someone—no, really—and while you can’t replace the ones you’ve lost, you’ll find others who are irreplaceable.”