Dragon Soul Press took the chance to interview Bianca Breen, an author featured in Pirate Gold!

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1) Introduce yourself!

My name is Bianca Breen, and I’m an emerging writer of children’s and YA fantasy stories. I live in Perth, Western Australia.

2) What prompted you to begin writing?

I’ve been telling stories for as long as I can remember. I was the kid always daydreaming and getting lost in imaginary worlds. But it wasn’t until about ten years ago, when I was in my early twenties, that I made the commitment to my writing. I’d stumbled across National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) and realised it was my chance to actually finish a story – and I did! I’ve been committing myself to my novels and short stories ever since.

3) Do you have a favorite story or poem you’ve written? What’s it about?

This is way too hard to choose! All the short stories I’ve written have been fun and sometimes experimental, and all my novels are filled with things I love to read. But if I have to choose one, I’ll choose one I’ve been working on lately: it’s the beginning of a children’s series about a boy and his magical wolf. I’m loving the writing and planning of the story so much!

4) How many projects do you have planned over the next few years? Tell us about one.

I have several novels in various stages of completion (which probably sounds familiar to most
writers.) But in June this year, I received a publishing contract for one of my YA fantasy novels:
The Inventor and the Comet (working title.)

On the industrial planet of Bellona, sixteen-year-old Gerdie Sailor dreams of becoming a famous
inventor. She believes that success will lend her the ear of the chaotic conqueror, Seki, and
allow her to improve the conditions of the factories in the old quarry she lives in. When a comet
sets its course to Bellona, she sees it as her chance to invent something that’s going to save the
world. While searching for parts, she meets Fell, a young boy who has seemingly lost his
memories and has a mysterious connection to the comet. He’s wanted by Conqueror Seki, and
before long Gerdie is, too. While on the run, they discover the blueprints to a terrifying
automaton army, blueprints that have her father’s name on them, dated just days before his
death. The army is missing a final piece, and if Gerdie doesn’t find it before Conqueror Seki
does, the comet will be the least of her worries.

I hope now that I’ve got one novel about to be published, I can scrub up the others and they’ll
follow!

5) What is your writing process like?

Joyful… then frustrating. I love planning and first drafts but despise editing! I’m a gentle planner
– I know the ending and a couple of plot points to get there but like to keep things open to explore and invoke a sense of discovery. I write short, fast first drafts that are mostly the skeleton of the story, and I love not having to worry about making it sound good – I’m just telling myself the story. This part involves a lot of Pinterest, naturally. Second draft is also fun because I get to flesh out the story – add some side quests, some quieter scenes of character development, etc. But when it comes time for rewriting and killing darlings, there’s a lot of frustration and hair-pulling! But I know in the end it makes for a much stronger story.

6) Where do you draw inspiration from?

Inspiration comes from everywhere, but I often draw it from random little things in books or movies or even songs – little moments of ‘that’s cool, I want to expand on that’ or ‘what if…?’ If I’m ever stuck or in a slump, I refill the creative well by reading or watching something with similar vibes to my story, or talking out the story with friends, or going for a walk in nature. Sometimes taking a break is work.

7) Who is your favorite author / what is your favorite book?

I’m a huge fan of Cressida Cowell, especially her How to Train Your Dragon series. They’re a lot of fun for young people, with gorgeous illustrations, but there’s a lot in there for adults, too. I also love Cressida as a creator and her passion for helping young people read for pleasure, as well as her comforting and inspiring quotes about how hard growing up can be sometimes.

8) What is one goal you have for your writing future?

I would love for writing to become a real career. I want to write novel after novel and short story after short story, and connect with readers and aspiring writers to share our stories together.

9) What do you hope readers enjoy most from your work?

I hope they enjoy the adventure! My whole life I’ve loved the escapism a good novel brings, and I always wanted to provide that feeling for others. Other writers have been hugely influential to my own happiness and inspiration, and I would love to give back to the community.

10) Where can readers learn more about you?

My website. I’m active on Instagram, and also run a blog/newsletter called Manifest on
Substack.