Today's Love Dust writer is Alisha Massenet, author of Sugar and Ink

Alisha Massenet enjoys the small magics in everyday life. She writes fluffy romances with happily-ever-afters from her home in Canada, which is filled with the laughter of joyful children and the hissing of grumpy cats – and sometimes vice versa. When not writing, she takes long rambles through nature and paints.

Where did your inspiration for your story come from?
The story was originally written for a New Year’s Resolution themed contest. Lots of people resolve to find love so they won’t be lonely in the coming year, so I wondered what if someone resolved to fall out of love instead. I combined this idea with other typical resolutions: cut sugar, exercise more, save money, learn to paint, ask that cutie at the coffee shop out. These paints blended together to form a canvas of romance and magic realism.

Who is your favorite character in this story and why?
While I am probably the closest to Arlan in personality, I have to say that Niko’s dad won my heart by storming into the story unannounced. With a knife, even! It’s little surprises like that which make writing so much fun.

When you aren’t writing, where can we find you?
I wish I could say the beach, in front of my paints, or the library, but these days my hangouts tend to be the playground, the local splash pad, or my own backyard.

What author has influenced you the most?
I am a big fan of reading across genres. Various authors have influenced me over the years, yet I keep returning to my first loves: science fiction and fantasy. I love Sarah Addison Allen, Neil Gaiman, Terry Pratchett, William Gibson, Iain M. Banks and N.K Jemisin. These author’s books are the ones I return to when I need a pep-talk or an escape.

Where do you write? Is there a special place? Share a picture if you wish.
I have a gorgeous antique roll-top desk which never sees use. Instead, I tend to write on my phone, my Alphasmart Neo or on good old paper. With two young kids, my writing time tends to be limited. Rather than one marathon writing session a day, I peck at my stories for a few minutes, when I can and where I can.

Do you consider reading as part of your job as a writer? Why or why not?
Definitely. Reading allows access to all sorts of people and concepts. Reading expands our minds, and lets us consider ideas we have never encountered before. Reading can be a mini-vacation and therapy, packaged in one neat rectangle of variable thickness.

Other than family, what are five things you cannot live without?
Coffee with extra cream. Books. Variety in my meals. Warm socks. And, as a reformed nail-biter, nail polish!

What is your all-time favorite TV show?
Buffy the Vampire Slayer! Smart, funny, surprisingly dark and yet, full of hope.

Not picking your own, which story in Love Dust is your favorite?
Honorable mentions first! Six Point Hayes, because I would love to hang out with Lexi, Elliott and Logan. Tootsie got me with its mix of fantasy, sweetness, and romance. But the clear winner has to be The Beech Tree Carving. Call me a sucker for a sweet story, and I’ll gladly wear the title. Plus it involves painting! What’s not to love?

If you could meet one writer in the history of the world, who would it be? What would you talk about?
Sir Terry Pratchett. His works reveal the very worst of humanity, but also their best, and he did both with grace, kindness and great affection for the characters he wrote about. I imagine we wouldn’t talk about much of consequence, except maybe simple joys, but I would love to have said I met him once.

What are you working on now?
Currently, I am working on a Young Adult fantasy novel.

Today's Love Dust writer is Olivia London author of Fairy Garden:

Olivia London is an avid writer, reader, and proud member of house Ravenclaw. She attended Northern Michigan University where she received a Master’s degree in English with a creative writing focus. Olivia is also the founder of Stormy Island Publishing, established in 2018. She lives on the shores of Lake Superior in beautiful Upper Michigan with her family and small army of fluffs.

Where did your inspiration for your story come from? 

– I found a writing prompt on Pinterest that said something like ‘He was made from coal and flame, but he couldn’t melt her’ and instantly had a mental image of Dóiteáin and Ishka. And, since it had to be a love story, Lach followed soon after.

Who is your favorite character in this story and why?
– Ishka is my favorite character. She is so beaten down by the death of her father and the weight of her suspicions, but she is a fighter. She brushes herself off and shoulders the burden of her responsibility. My absolute favorite thing about her though, is that she doesn’t necessarily need to be rescued. When the time comes, she is the one who has to fight for herself.

When you aren’t writing, where can we find you? 
– I spend far too much of my time playing video games and browsing social media! During the few months of the year I’m not buried in snow, I also spend as much time at the beach as possible.

What author has influenced you the most? 
– Lauren DeStefano is #goals for me. She has the cutest house, lives with her own little fluff army, and writes some great stories! Stephen King and Jane Austen can probably shoulder most of the blame for my love of reading though, which eventually led to my need to write.

Where do you write? Is there a special place? Share a picture if you wish.
– Wherever and whenever I can find the time. Usually sitting on the couch surrounded by my fluff squad. I’m currently planning to change our spare room into a writing room, though, so I have my own space and can close the door and not be interrupted. Can’t wait for that to be finished!

Do you consider reading as part of your job as a writer? Why or why not? 
– Absolutely! The worst that can happen is you pick up a few tricks, right?

Other than family, what are five things you cannot live without? 
– My fluffs (though, to me they’re family!) the beach, cherry pepsi, movies, and Amazon Prime (seriously, I have a problem.)

What is your all-time favorite TV show? 
– Downton Abbey. I love a good British period drama

Not picking your own, which story in Love Dust is your favorite? 
– Sparkly Human Conundrum by Sara Mosier is probably my favorite short story ever. Of all time. In the history of writing. Sorry, Poe.

If you could meet one writer in the history of the world, who would it be? What would you talk about? 
– Oh, gosh. This is tough. It would be a toss up between Jane Austen, Virginia Woolf, and Edgar Allan Poe. I’d love to talk to them about everything from how often they write and where they get their inspiration (especially E.A.P.!), to their personal lives, because I know I can’t be the only one who’s curious about their personal choices!

What are you working on now? 
– I’m currently in a battle of wills with a fantasy story I’ve been trying to tame for a couple of years now. I’m also working on a few short stories for anthology submissions.

Where can we find more about you and your work? 
– www.facebook.com/writerolivialondon

Stormy Island Publishing

www.instagram.com/writerolivialondon