Hey hey, guys, gals, and in-between pals! My name is Synth or Chance, and welcome to my post! I hope you’re having a good time zone whatever time it is in your zone! Today we have a very special guest! My friend and accomplished author, Allegra Pescatore! I am very pleased to be part of the Escapist Book Tour for her novel Whispers of Stone which is the second book in The Last Gift Series. It is a gaslamp/epic fantasy story that she released earlier this year.

Last week during a Twitch stream, I asked the audience to give me some questions y’all had for Allegra and I gotta say, y’all came up with some interesting ones. So, without further ado, I present, an unconventional interview with Allegra Pescatore!

When did you know you wanted to be a writer and what inspired you to do so?

         I was introduced to books and complex, plot heavy, adult fantasy far earlier than most. By the age of two, my father was already reading me the Hobbit, and I was six when I first finished classics like His Dark Materials and Lord of the Rings. Naturally, this led to an early fascination with writing. By the age of thirteen, I'd finished my first novel (a very early version of Where Shadows Lie), and by the end of high school, I was millions of words deep in my writing journey. I'm not sure when it turned into a desire to be a published author, but one day I woke up and without ever really deciding to do so, knew I would write novels. It didn't take me long after that to figure out that my path wasn't traditional publishing, so without ever sending a query I rolled up my sleeves and jumped head first into indie publishing. 

What is your favorite art form that isn't writing?

         Cooking! I love playing with flavors and textures and miss my days working as a chef. Eventually, I'm sure these passions will cross over, either as a cookbook full of stories, or as a foodie fantasy novel. Apart from that, I've really grown to love making book covers. It's so fun to bring books and characters to life!

If you had to pick a meal or dish to represent your book, what would it be?

         What a great segue! The Last Gift Series is an easy one, too. Mari Baker's fish pie is the food of choice. Hot water crust rice and wheat flour pastry, hand risen and filled with a thick stew of rice, herbs, fish, and currents. It's a mix of medieval cookery and the Lirinian obsession with rice and fish. If you read Whispers of Stone, you'll understand how important and symbolic these pies are to several of the protagonists, and how a recipe for them became a turning point for several characters. 

Which character do you feel most connected with?

         I think it comes down to the three who have been in my head the longest: Elenor, Gabriel, and Fay. Elenor's journey with chronic illness and disability has closely mirrored mine. She is who I write when I have deep, strong emotions or have hard feelings to process. Gabriel is where I pour my optimism and drive. I think he's the one I would most like as a friend or confidante. Fay is the one I have the most fun with. All the snarky swearing that happens in my head pours out of her lips, and I love how I can stretch out and enjoy the wild ride of writing her POVs.

Did you base some of the characters off of people in your life and which ones?

         Daemon is the clearest. I had a friend called Jack who unfortunately passed away young. Several years before his death, he asked me to write him in as a villain. I started crafting Daemon to be that villain, but along the way, the character surprised me. I see him as a villain mid-reform. Every time I write a Daemon chapter, I remember Jack, and very much hope he would approve. 

What is your ultimate goal with your writing?

         My hope is to create an inclusive publishing space where lots of authors get to play. I also hope to give people better representation of disabilities than were out there when I was growing up. I'm fortunate to be joined in this endeavor by countless other amazing authors who are making such enormous strides in diversifying fantasy and science fiction. Beyond that, I don't need much. Getting to take people on wild adventures is already such an honor. While practically I do hope to one day be a full-time author, I really try not to cling to expectations.

If you had to pick a color for the vibe of your book, what would it be?

         The Last Gift series is probably blue and gold. There are plot reasons for this, but more than that, it feels right. It's a series full of rivers and deserts, bright sunshine and darkest nights. Plus, yellow and blue are two of my favorite colors. What can I say? I was raised around sunny skies and fields of sunflowers. 

If you could pick one book that the whole world was required to read, what would it be and why?

         This one is hard, and changes with my mood. There are a lot of books that mean a tremendous amount to me, but that may not for other people. Other books that are beautifully written and intensely emotional which never really connected with me. Today, I'm going to say Illusions by Richard Bach, which my father first read to me as a child. I've turned to it often in times of turmoil, and it never fails to make me smile and gain perspective. 

And finally, when in the world do you find time to rest and what is your favorite leisure activity?

         You see, that's the secret: I never rest. Joking aside, what I do when I want to relax is garden! There's nothing I enjoy more than being around green, growing things with my hands covered in dirt. It's the best feeling in the world. Even better if I'm listening to a good audiobook and the sun is shining. It's the best! 

Thank you, Allegra, for answering the audience’s questions! If you would like to win a signed paperback copy of Whispers of Stone, follow this link. Sadly, it is for US residents only. The giveaway ends on the 13th, so you only have today and tomorrow to enter! Don’t forget! And don’t forget to follow Escapist Book Tours and Allegra’s author page on Twitter!