Crafting Tales of Fantasy: An Exclusive Interview with YA Author Kristina Elyse Butke

Welcome to our exclusive interview with Kristina Elyse Butke, a rising star in the world of Young Adult (YA) fiction. Her debut novel, Son of the Siren, released on July 2, 2024, by Oliver-Heber Books, has captivated readers with its enchanting blend of fantasy, mythology, and romance. Kristina shares with us her personal journey, inspirations, and insights into the world of writing.

As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up?
From elementary school to high school, I was a ballet dancer and thought I would join a dance company to dance professionally. I also wanted to be a playwright, but dancing took up most of my time, and for a long while, it was all I could picture myself doing.

How did your early interests in ballet and playwriting influence your current writing?
Ballet and playwriting are both storytelling in their own ways. Dancing taught me about emotional expression and movement, while playwriting focused on dialogue and character development. Both have definitely shaped the way I write my stories today.

What is your favorite part of being a writer?
When you’re in “the zone”… I can only describe this as being so attuned to your writing that everything else outside of you melts away, and the words flow out of you on their own, almost like you’re on autopilot. There’s no self-doubt, and there’s no overthinking things. It’s just writing nirvana. I don’t have this happen a lot, but when it does, it’s an exhilarating feeling that I actively seek out.

Can you describe a specific moment when you felt this “writing nirvana”? What were you working on, and how did it feel?
One memorable time was when I was writing a scene in Son of the Siren set in Elythia, the magical wandering forest. The world and characters came to life effortlessly, and I felt like I was simply a vessel for the story unfolding on the page. It was a truly magical experience.

Do you hear from your readers much? What kinds of things do they say?
I’m a newbie in the writing world, so I haven’t had readers reach out to me yet (I hope they feel comfortable enough to someday). But I’ve seen my reviews, and people describe my work as sweet, captivating, and a wonderful blend of fantasy, mythology, and romance.

How do you feel when you read reviews of your work? Do they influence your writing or how you approach future projects?
Reading reviews is always a mix of excitement and nervousness. Positive feedback boosts my confidence, while constructive criticism helps me grow as a writer. I try to take all feedback into account, but I also stay true to my own vision and style.

How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?
I’ve written two books. Son of the Siren is my debut novel, and The Name and the Key was my graduate thesis at Seton Hill University in 2013. I am currently rewriting it from scratch and making it into a trilogy!

What motivated you to revisit and rewrite The Name and the Key? How is the rewriting process different from your initial writing experience?
The motivation came from wanting to give the story the depth and polish it deserves. Rewriting allows me to apply everything I’ve learned since my initial draft, making the characters more complex and the plot tighter. It’s a challenging but rewarding process. I also have grown as a writer since it was my thesis, and I felt like I needed to rewrite it to match my current skill level. And I added demons to it! So much fun!

What does your family think of your writing?
I am so lucky that my family is supportive of my writing. No one has ever told me to pursue anything else. As for the writing itself, my family does not automatically love everything I’ve written. We’re a family of critical readers, and people are not afraid to give me negative feedback.

How does your family’s critical feedback shape your work? Can you share an example of feedback that led to a significant change in your writing?
Their feedback keeps me grounded and helps me see different perspectives. For example, in Son of the Siren, my brother pointed out a scene where I had done a substantial amount of info-dumping about the world, and it came across as very awkward. I ended up cutting that scene altogether and it improved the flow of the book immensely.

What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
I’m an avid reader of manga of all sorts of genres, but I enjoy BL the most. I also watch anime and true crime documentaries. Although this doesn’t happen as often as it used to, I like to go to conventions and cosplay.

How do these hobbies influence your writing? Do you ever draw inspiration from them for your stories?
Absolutely! Manga and anime are filled with vivid worlds and character dynamics that inspire my own storytelling. Conventions and cosplay allow me to explore characters in a different way, and the creativity and passion of the community always spark new ideas.

Can you describe your writing space?
It’s a chaotic little wooden desk I’ve had since elementary school, with my laptop on a stand and papers and office supplies piled everywhere. I also have next to my laptop a gorgeous anime figurine of Aoba from Dramatical Murder costumed in gothic style. He’s kind of like a creative good luck charm.

How does your writing space influence your creative process? Do you have any rituals or habits that help you get into the writing mindset?
My writing space, though cluttered, is a comfort zone that holds my creative energy. If I need to get into the mood, I’ll listen to instrumental music or look at my Pinterest boards for the book. But most of all, having familiar items around me, like my Aoba figurine, helps me feel grounded and ready to dive into my work.

When did you write your first book, and how old were you?
In third grade, I had a teacher who bought blank books in white hardcovers where you could write and illustrate whatever you wanted. So, my first book was The Fantasy Club, starring me and my friends from school. I completely stole the plot from a TV show (staying the night in the museum and things come to life). I was eight when this monstrosity was written. As for my first serious novel, I wrote The Name and the Key as my graduate thesis, and it took all three years of grad school, from age 27-30, because honestly, I’d never written a novel before (only plays and musicals), and I had no idea what I was doing.

What lessons did you learn from your first writing experiences that you still apply today?
My early writing taught me the importance of persistence and embracing the learning process. Even though I didn’t know what I was doing at first, I kept going and gradually developed my skills. Today, I’m more confident in my storytelling but still open to learning and evolving.

When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
I think around age seven or eight. I really enjoyed creating characters, but even more so, I liked adapting stories based on existing materials. If I didn’t like what I saw or read, or wanted to continue the story or play around with character relationships, I would write my own version. I still write with influences in mind, but they’re very much my own stories.

How do you balance drawing inspiration from other works while ensuring your stories remain original and unique?
It’s about taking the essence of what I love in other works and blending it with my own voice and imagination. I focus on developing unique characters and worlds that resonate with me, making sure my stories offer something new and exciting to readers.

What is your typical day like when you’re writing?
I don’t write regularly (I’m a little ashamed of this, actually), but when I do, it’s usually for about two to five hours on Saturday and Sunday, because during the week, I’m busy teaching, and the work after hours is usually spent resting or grading.

How do you stay motivated to write when you have limited time during the week?
I remind myself of the joy I feel when I’m in the zone and the satisfaction of creating something meaningful. I also keep a notebook and a notes app on my phone to jot down ideas during the week so that I can hit the ground running when I sit down to write on the weekends.

How do you relax?
Reading books and manga on my Kindle, reading webtoons, or watching the bookish corners of YouTube.

Do you find that relaxation activities like reading and watching YouTube also contribute to your creativity? How so?
Definitely! Reading exposes me to different writing styles and ideas, while YouTube offers insights and tips from other writers and creators. These activities not only help me unwind but also keep my creative juices flowing.

What inspired you to write Son of the Siren?
I have always enjoyed fairy tales and mythology, and when I stumbled upon the sirens, I wanted to write a retelling that also took inspiration from Alleleirauh, The Wild Swans, and The Little Mermaid. When writing Son of the Siren, the characters and setting were my favorite things to explore and create.

Can you share more about the characters and setting of Son of the Siren? How do they connect to the mythology you were inspired by?
The characters in Son of the Siren are influenced by siren mythology and fairy tales but have unique personalities and backstories that make them stand out. The setting, especially the magical forest of Elythia, combines elements of myth and fantasy to create a world that feels both familiar and new.

What would you like your readers to take away from Son of the Siren?
I hope readers find the story to be a captivating and sweet blend of fantasy, mythology, and romance, and I hope they enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Are there specific themes or messages in the story that you hope resonate with readers?
Yes, themes of self-discovery, love, and the courage to face one’s fears are central to the story. I hope readers find inspiration in the characters’ journeys and see reflections of their own experiences in the narrative.

Kristina Elyse Butke’s debut novel, Son of the Siren, is a testament to her imaginative storytelling and her ability to blend fantasy and romance into a compelling narrative. Her journey from a young ballet dancer to a writer has been filled with creativity and passion. With her upcoming projects, we can look forward to more enchanting stories from this talented author.

This interview is part of a feature series highlighting emerging voices in YA literature. To learn more about Kristina Elyse Butke and her work, visit her website and follow her on social media for updates and exclusive content.