Some stories stay with you long after you close the book. Some characters feel so real that their struggles, triumphs, and losses affect you deeply—even if they’re entirely fictional.

I recently spoke with authors Anaïd Haen and Django Mathijsen about their experiences writing emotionally intense stories. Their fantasy series Decadentia was so raw and powerful that they sometimes had to step away from writing—it became too much. They even switched to writing children’s books just to take a break!

This conversation hit home for me. As I write my own novel, I’m realizing how much I think about my characters—both the heroes and the villains. They’re in my head, shaping my thoughts, just like the characters I’ve loved as a reader.

In this episode, we talk about the power of storytelling, the emotional toll of writing, and how great stories make us feel.

🎧 Listen in and let’s talk about the characters that have stayed with you!