{"id":11037,"date":"2024-03-16T01:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-03-16T05:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/writersblog-backend.inkitt.com\/?p=11037"},"modified":"2024-03-18T03:59:09","modified_gmt":"2024-03-18T07:59:09","slug":"lycanthropes-in-mythology-featuring-ahanna-rose","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/writersblog-backend.inkitt.com\/lycanthropes-in-mythology-featuring-ahanna-rose\/","title":{"rendered":"Lycanthropes in Mythology, Featuring Ahanaa Rose!"},"content":{"rendered":"

Hi, Inkitteers!\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Welcome to part 2 of our post about the allure of werewolves in romantic fiction!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Long before werewolves became the hunky heartthrobs readers know and love today, they were already a staple of mythologies the world over!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For a short list of ancient cultures with lycanthrope and lycanthrope-adjacent myths, click here<\/a>!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s full of surprising creatures, from the Indian vetalas to the Czech vlkodlaks to the Japanese okura-inu.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

But one of the earliest and most surprising entries in the list is ancient Greece! Both the word lycanthrope and one of the earliest lycanthrope stories come from Greek mythology.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

We had a chance to talk to the author, <\/span>Ahanaa Rose<\/span><\/a>, about her exciting book <\/span>Scarred Luna <\/span><\/i><\/a>(available soon on <\/span>Galatea<\/span><\/a>!) and its unique contemporary take on werewolves.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ahanaa has crafted an intricate and exciting world built directly on the Greek lycanthrope myth of King Lycaon (more on this later),\u00a0 and we were thrilled to talk to her about it!\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Inkitt: <\/b>Ahana, thanks for taking the time to answer some of our questions. First off, can you tell us a little about your journey as a writer?\u00a0 <\/span>
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>Ahanaa Rose: <\/b>It might sound a bit clich\u00e9, but my journey into writing began when I was just a little girl. <\/span>
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>Struggling with English in school, my mom stepped in to read with me every night, and as part of the routine, I had to jot down a diary entry. <\/span>
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>However, recounting my day felt dull, so I\u00a0 switched to crafting short stories. Early on, I discovered the depths of my vivid imagination, much to the delight of my teachers. <\/span>
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>Writing short stories evolved into more than a creative outlet\u2014it became my refuge during challenging times.<\/span>
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>Whenever life threw a curveball my way, I’d weave a narrative that transported me to a world where things felt a bit more hopeful. <\/span>
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>However, <\/span>Scarred Luna<\/span><\/i> stands out in my literary journey; it’s the first book where I invested meticulous thought and planning, a testament to my growth as a writer. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Inkitt: <\/b>How did you come to Inkitt? Can you tell us about your journey with us?\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Inkitt: <\/b>You\u2019ve created quite an intricate lore, strongly influenced by Greek mythology. What was it like to write this? <\/span>
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>It\u2019s a complex world full of shifting loyalties and double (sometimes triple) identities. <\/span>
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>What was your process for keeping track of everything? <\/span>
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>Did you have a detailed plan, or did you put pen to paper and let the characters take you where they wanted to go? <\/span><\/p>\n

Ahanaa Rose: <\/b>Initially, when I wrote <\/span>Scarred Luna<\/span><\/i>, it was a spontaneous flow of pen to paper, with the characters leading the way and chapters unfolding randomly. <\/span>
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>However, a sense of dissatisfaction settled in as I noticed similarities with other books I had read. <\/span>
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>That realization prompted a deliberate pause, a step back, and a profound reevaluation of my approach. <\/span>
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>I was determined to break free from the conventional narrative and create a universe that stood out. <\/span>
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>In my mind, I envisioned a story that lingered in readers’ thoughts long after they finished each book. <\/span>
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>To achieve this, I meticulously crafted a detailed plan for each chapter, carefully considering how to expand the narrative and develop a comprehensive universe.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The goal was to leave readers with lingering questions, ensuring a continuous sense of curiosity and anticipation after completing each installment. <\/span>
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>This detailed planning extended beyond the first book; I laid out comprehensive blueprints for the second, third, and even the fourth book.\u00a0 <\/span>
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>Inkitt: <\/b>How did you come up with this idea, and can you discuss the link between werewolves and Greek mythology?\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It’s from this myth that the character Nyctimus in my book finds his origin. <\/span>
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>Subsequently, I dedicated days to researching Nyctimus\u2014exploring the intricacies of his birth, investigating whether he had any descendants, and delving into the historical context. <\/span>
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>This deep dive allowed me to construct not just a character but an entire persona along with a comprehensive timeline.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n