S. R. Severn (she/her) is a British author who writes dark fantasy romance and loves devising different ways she can make her characters suffer, both in and out of love. The vital ingredients found in her books are steampunk, mythology, and morally grey characters with happily-ever-afters.
Her love for romance novels was first discovered at the age of eleven after picking up a Mills & Boon book. She grew up with a fascination for the supernatural/paranormal, Greek mythology, steampunk and developed an unhealthy obsession for fantasy. Since then, she’s collected enough books to build a spacious book fort.
The inspiration to become an author came during her years studying Creative Writing at the University of Greenwich in London. After being unsuccessful in finding a book combining all the things she loved, she decided to create it herself.
She currently lives in London surrounded by her hoard of steampunk and pirate trinkets. When not writing, she can be found gaming, reading under cosy lighting or cocooned in a comfort blanket watching movies.
Author Links:
Instagram: @s.r.severn_author
Website: srsevern.com
GoodReads: goodreads.com/srsevern
Amazon Author Page: amazon.co.uk/dp/B00IK8EJ8I
What was the inspiration for Pirate’s Vow and do/how do these influences show up in the novel? Are there any Easter Eggs etc?
I’ve always had a love for mythology, steampunk, pirates and romance. During my university years, while exploring different mediums of writing and having my preferences rejected, the desire to create a story (my own personal project) was born.
Initially it had just been a way for me to express myself and enjoy what I was writing. I had no idea that this little project would undergo years of editing and development to one day be a published series. But I’m deeply in love with it and so glad that I was brave enough to take that leap because I haven’t yet come across a book with these combined elements!
Do you find yourself drawn to certain types of characters, or do your characters surprise you as you draft?
I’m drawn to broken characters. The cherry on top for me would be the characters who begin hopeful and optimistic, then tragedy strikes and they become a shell of their former selves. My reason for this is because I enjoyed mending them, and that’s normally through a long, difficult journey of lessons and reflection…and love (self-love and/or romantic love). My characters do have a way of surprising me. They torment me just as much as I torment them!
What was your favourite part of the worldbuilding process for Pirate’s Vow?
Integrating steampunk elements and creating my own unique spin on the mythology/history of the world I created. Oh and the freedom of being able to create a world I myself would be in awe of and eager to escape to without any restrictions. It’s far from a perfect world though, I needed my characters to be born into a dark and twisted world so that the readers could experience struggles with them and celebrate when they survive against all odds.
What were the most important elements of the romance dynamic for you, and was it hard to get this the way you wanted on page?
My MMC (Kennedy) and MFC (Viera) were never looking for romance, it just sort of ‘happened’ and with it came its obstacles and difficulties.
In the beginning their romance was whimsical, fresh and mistakenly confident. Years later, their love rekindled with safety being the main element. Both strive to protect the other at all costs and seek to provide safety even though it often ends with them fighting for dominance. That’s also where a lot of the humour unfolds between them, Kennedy tends to be sarcastic, using humour as a coping mechanism and a mask.
Viera is often too serious, but I guess it’s the price of being a police officer. The difficulty I encounter with two characters locked in a power struggle is figuring out who will compromise or win. I used to be a hardcore plotter, knowing how events will pan out, however that’s drastically changed. I still have an idea of where my characters will end up, though I have no idea what happens on the journey until I’m writing!
Can you talk a little bit about your ideas around love and social justice, and how these two themes intertwine in your novel?
I remember when I first began world building, I had a desire to create a world heavy on a hierarchy of status. Kennedy and Viera appeared to me as two individuals who were at the bottom of the food chain as slaves. Kennedy has always been a dreamer, having been raised with the truth that his parents were born free, he made it his destiny to fight for the freedom of his whole family.
Whereas Viera, whose father had given up his Highborn status to be with the slave he loved, has lived her life accepting her freedom as unattainable. It’s only after Viera falls for Ken does she begin to consider freedom with him. Even years later, despite them being free from slavery, they’re still slaves to their fear and trauma.
What they thought was freedom ends up being just another chain they have to break. It’s love and understanding that will help Ken and Viera liberate themselves in a world so quick to condemn, judge and imprison.
What is your favourite reader response to the novel so far, and why?
I’ve had more than one reader comment on the great world building which makes me really proud. Admittedly, I was worried the world would be confusing to imagine or understand, so I feel so accomplished knowing my readers can easily submerge themselves into the story and enjoy the uniqueness of the world.
Leave a Reply