Kwyn Marie

dark fantasy indie author

The Typical Bio

I always loved to draw, but I started writing in earnest when I was around 11 years-old. I picked up my first Elfquest comic that summer, and knew that was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life--create fantasy.
Rural Wyoming, USA, was not the most happening of places, so I had plenty of time to hone my craft. One would find me in my bedroom, writing in a well-used notebook or drawing on blank paper; TV nor movies attracted my attention as much as my own creations.
I read what I could check out from my local and school libraries, and obsessively re-read those books I loved (Song of the Lioness, Arrows of the Queen, Dragonsong and Dragonsinger).

Education

• BA in English from the University of Wyoming


• BA in Art History from Louisiana State University


• MLIS with a focus on archives from Louisiana State University.

I play the

cello
whistle
recorder
synths

I love the 1812 Overture and the Elder Scrolls Soundtracks

I have been a goth at heart since elementary school.
I told my mother I loved the moon and darkness.
She freaked and told me I was supposed to love the sun.

My Writing
• Strong female lead
  when I was younger, fantasy female leads were not that common, let alone strong. Things were changing in the genre, and I was lucky to read Mercedes Lackey, Tamora Pierce and other similar authors


• Bullying
  I was bullied in K-12. The teachers punished me for getting dirty/getting hurt. Even so-called friends believed I was lying about the abuse. While not a conscious decision on my part, all of my stories, in one way or another, have something to say about bullying and its repercussions on the victims.


• Escape
  I really disliked Wyoming. Fantasy was my way of escaping rural hate. Escape comes in two forms in my writing; providing a way for readers to lose themselves in the stories, and the in-story escape, where the lead character leaves the repressive behind.


• Prose
  I love how people can write purple prose. It's not in me, to do the same, so I don't delve down to the minutest details.


• Artwork
  I like artwork in novels. The Sword of Shanara by Terry Brooks was an inspiration in this. And, of course, comics (manga came later).