Making the Fantasy Real: Why Backstory Matters

One of the joys of writing fantasy is that you get to tell fantastic stories. Our newest novel, The Tendrils of Fate (currently being queried), stars a creature called a naera–which is our mix of Nereid, siren, and mermaid. When submerged, Avaren Ensther transforms into a creature of legend, but she is not all fairy glamor. She is more monster than little mermaid; more scheming than love-struck.

Through the course ofwriting the book, Marzio and I spent a lot of time massaging the lore of our...