Author Interview with Amanda Sloothaak
- Laken Honeycutt
- Mar 1
- 6 min read
In this week’s Author’s Nook interview, fantasy author Amanda Sloothaak invites readers into the deeply personal heart of her storytelling. From nature-inspired worlds to the emotional evolution of her protagonist, Dawn, Amanda shares how introspection, travel, and lived experience shape her duology and its themes of growth, acceptance, and empathy. It’s a thoughtful conversation about writing from within—and creating stories that help readers feel seen.
Writing Origins & Inspiration
Your stories are deeply inspired by nature, travel, and introspection. How do these elements shape the emotional tone of your fantasy worlds?
In a sense a lot, because I use it in an indirect way to show Dawn (my main character) perceives the world. Or at least, that was my intention but since the book has been written in first person, it feels more like a background thing.
You mentioned creativity was nurtured in your family from a young age—how did that environment influence your decision to become a storyteller?
It was easy as I liked to tell stories and my family gave me space to do so. Even when I decided to self-publish and they were like ‘give it a go.’ Which, honestly, was so scary at the beginning because what if I fail while they support me. But I also realize how lucky I am with my family supporting this crazy endeavor.
Character Focus – Dawn & the Duology
You’re especially interested in discussing Dawn’s growth across the duology. What first sparked the idea for her character?
21-year-old me. She appeared in my mind and sooner than later I just saw a younger version of me in her, and I also feel that’s why I couldn’t do any justice to this story in my 20’s, simply because I didn’t know how to write and process it. When I picked it back up at 29 going into my 30’s, I finally felt like I had grown mentally enough and gained enough distance from that old version of me to write her story right.
Dawn’s journey centers on learning to accept things as they are. How did you approach portraying that kind of inner transformation in a fantasy setting?
Believe it or not, at first, I wasn’t sure how to approach this at all. But then I kept thinking about her behavior and what she would do if a or b happened and how she would try to hold onto the old with every bit of strength she has and with that I described her thoughts more into the draft to show her struggle with acceptance. It felt like the only right way to show it.
Did Dawn’s arc change or deepen as you wrote the second installment, or did you always know where her emotional journey would lead?
It did deepen. Where I was so sure in book 1, Fire Fox, at how she would behave in whatever situation I would put her in, in book 2, Ice Wolves, she surprised me a few times with being more logical than I thought she was capable of. I mean, even Jyry notices at some point. Let’s just say that he and I agreed a lot during those moments.
Themes & Emotional Depth
Inner growth and acceptance are central themes in your work. Why do these quieter, introspective journeys resonate with you as a writer?
I think it is because I struggled with is so deeply myself once. So, it almost feels like coming home to an old feeling and while I write about it, it’s like I try to understand the why’s and how’s deeper.
How do you balance external fantasy stakes with internal emotional stakes in your storytelling?
Honestly, I suck at this! I’m really happy with Isobelle (the developmental editor I worked with throughout this entire series) and helping me see where it needs tinkering, because there were scenes that were either all into emotional stakes and the fantasy stakes being a minor background thing and vice versa. During my first time working through developmental edits, I’ve become better at it but I still got a lot to learn about it. As of now, I have notes with emotional stakes and fantasy stakes hanging near my desk as a constant reminder that I will need both to make write a chapter with full potential.
What do you hope readers take away from Dawn’s personal evolution?
That those that feel like her, aren’t alone. But also, and maybe more for the people who see Dawn for who she is but don’t struggle with it themselves, that everyone has their own way of processing what they’re going or been through and that while their journey looks different, they should never judge someone else’s journey.
Craft & Technique
You highlighted character development and dialogue as craft areas you enjoy discussing. How do you ensure your characters feel authentic and emotionally grounded?
I write the most insane bio’s for each character. They’re multiple pages long for each one of them and describe not only their appearance but also what they like, their fears, joys, childhood memories, past pains, but also contain a whole list of strengths and weaknesses. Nobody is perfect and my characters aren’t either, so I allow them to show their mistakes on the page. For some they will make up for their mistakes, for others I won’t. That really depends on what I need them to be in the story.
What role does dialogue play in revealing growth or transformation for your characters?
There are times where I allow my characters to say their thoughts, about what hurts them and one time I will show it while they’re screaming but when they’ve grown, they will say it much calmer, to just name an example. So, that’s one of the ways I try to show that.
Can you share a bit about your writing routines—what helps you stay creatively consistent?
My biggest motivation used to be that my day job, as that one was so stressful at times and being creative helps me relax. It’s also keeping memories of my travels alive indirectly, because writing about the worlds can feel like living through those memories again at times.
When it comes to consistency, I think I might be the least consistent writer out there. I try to write three days a week, have planned them out in my planner for that reason as well, yet will bend a bit whenever I feel it’s necessary. My head needs to be in the game and for Ice Wolves my motivator to keep going were the readers that really wanted to know what would happen next.
Publishing & Indie Imprint
You publish under your own indie imprint, It Mearke Publishing. What has that experience been like creatively and professionally?
In one word: weird. It’s really the biggest word I can allot to it because while I love writing, I also discovered I’m not a bit fan of publishing at all. Yet I will keep doing it because the people reading and seeing themselves in my stories motivate me to do so. But I will also have to admit that the whole publishing thing feels like a drag most of the time. It’s technical mumbo-jumbo most of the time, checking things again and again and again until you’re cross-eyed. But it’s still worth it in the end.
What advice would you give authors considering starting their own imprint?
Take your time. Don’t think it’s done within a few days and, probably even more important, don’t be scared to ask for advice from other authors with their own imprint. We’re all in this game together and while we can’t always guarantee a helpful answer, most of us will try to do our best to help a fellow author out.
Closing Reflection
Many of your inspirations—nature, reflection, travel—have a peaceful, contemplative quality. How do you hope readers feel when they close one of your books?
Hopefully they feel seen. But also to be empathetic to others, value nature and animals alike as they’ve been there long before us. Maybe even eager to see more of the world.
Amanda Sloothaak writes fantasy novels inspired by her deep love for nature, rainy days, small villages, the places she traveled and looking deep within herself. Creativity was nourished by her family from a young age, through which she developed a voracious appetite for creating her own worlds. She publishes her work under her own Indie Imprint: It Mearke Publishing.
How to Connect with Amanda
Website: www.amandasloothaak.com
Instagram: @amandasloothaak
Substack: www.amandasloothaak.substack.com
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