Lusine Torossian's Blog, page 2

Dragons, Fire Breathing Monsters of Legend?

The Vishap: From Armenian storm dragon to the underworld’s dangerous trickster guardian in my YA dark fantasy debut novel, Light Weaver.

@lusinetorossian

Dragons Fire-breathing monsters of legend The Vishap: From Armenian storm dragon to the underworld’s dangerous trickster guardian in my YA dark fantasy debut Light Weaver #booktok #yafantasy #fantasybooktok #armenian

♬ original sound – Lusine Torossian Author – Lusine Torossian Author

Why Fantasy Captures Our Hearts: Ancient Magic in Modern Pages

Fantasy literature beckons us into realms where the impossible unfolds like ancient parchment beneath our fingertips. It’s more than an escape—it’s a bridge between what is and what could be, where dragons soar through the skies and ancient magic pulses through the air. We turn to fantasy not just to flee reality, but to understand it more deeply through the lens of the extraordinary.

In these stories, we find lifelong friends in characters who face impossible odds, discover courage in fantas...

Sunken Forests and Caverns

When I first started to write my novel, Sea Weaver, and created entire worlds beneath the seas, I didn’t consider whether it was possible for forests and cities to exist within the ocean depths. Hey, it’s fantasy, right? So out of curiosity, I researched this concept to see if it’s at all probable for forests and civilizations to survive and thrive within briny waters. Here’s what I found in the real world…

Underwater Forests

The Sunken Forest of Lake Kaindy, Kazakhstan

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Imagining Other Worlds: How Art Inspires Fantasy Worldbuilding

Art has the power to transport us to other worlds, to ignite our imaginations, and inspire us to create fantastical worlds in our own writing. Whether it’s a painting, a sculpture, a photograph, a tapestry, or even a piece of music, art can provide the inspiration we need to bring our own fantasy worlds to life.

Photo by Birmingham Museums Trust on Unsplash

One way that art can inspire fantasy worldbuilding is through its ability to create a mood or atmosphere. A single piece of art ca...

Unearthing the Past: Cave Dwellings in Ancient Armenia Inspiring My Fantasy Novel’s Enchanting Setting

Photo by Ani Adigyozalyan on Unsplash

Cave dwellings have been an enduring feature throughout human history, and ancient Armenia holds a rich tapestry of these remarkable habitations. Inspired by the cave dwellings that once adorned the landscapes of ancient Armenia and its neighboring regions, I felt compelled to breathe life into a cave village within the pages of my young adult fantasy novel. Nestled in the enchanting Ar-Haya Highlands – a fictional village I created that was influence...

Ayg, the Goddess of Dawn: Exploring Armenian Mythology

Armenian mythology is rich with stories of gods and goddesses. I’ve always been fascinated by the legends and lore of the lesser-known gods of various pantheons. Ayg (or Arshaluys), the goddess of dawn in Armenian mythology, is a figure about whom little is known. When I discovered Ayg, I was immediately drawn to her role as the herald of a new day and her association with renewal and hope. Despite the scarcity of information available about her, I was inspired to incorporate Ayg into my work-in...

From Crossroads to Fantasy: How Armenian Mythology Inspired My Writing

As writers, it’s often said that we draw from our own experiences and cultures to create unique and captivating stories. For me, being of Armenian descent has heavily influenced my writing, particularly in the realm of young adult fantasy.

One of the most fascinating aspects of Armenian culture is its mythology. As a child, I was enraptured by the stories of gods and goddesses, monsters and heroes, and the intricate folklore that wove them all together. It wasn’t until I started writing that ...

Winner of SCBWI-Florida 2023 Rising Kite YA Category

https://florida.scbwi.org/2023-rising-kite-contests/winners2023/

Semi-Finalist, Writers of the Future Contest

I’m honored to announce that I’m a semi-finalist in the 2022 second quarter of the Writers of the Future Contest. Out of so many talented entries from all over the world, to be placed toward the top is humbling.

SCBWI Orlando Conference

#reunited22

This past weekend I attended my first conference in four years – the SCBWI Florida Regional Conference in Orlando. All I have to say is, wow. Just wow.

I’ve attended various writing conferences before, including the SCBWI ones in the northeast. But this one was different. Smaller. Personal. Supportive.

Rob Sanders and Becky Herzog, the co-regional advisors of the SCBWI Florida region, as well as Angela, Candy, and Fred, and all the volunteers of the SCBWI Florida reg...