When you’re reading Zaria Fierce and the Secret of Gloomwood Forest how do you picture Geirr Engelstad? Does he remind you of Tyrel Jackson Williams (Lab Rats) or do you see him more as Jaden Harmon (Drop Dead Diva)?
Q: Why is Zaria Fierce wimpy?
A: A girl is usually considered in the role of damsel in distress. She’s not often considered to have the strength and courage it takes to save the day. Even Zaria doesn’t think she’s brave, or strong, or heroic at the start of Zaria Fierce and the Secret of Gloomwood Forest, but she is, and she’s about to find it out for herself.
Poll: How do you picture Aleks Mickelsen?
When you’re reading Zaria Fierce and the Secret of Gloomwood Forest how do you picture Aleks Mickelsen? Do you picture him as Kyle Red Silverstein (Blended)? Or do you envision him as Toby Nichols (22 Jump Street)?
Q: How did you choose Zaria Fierce as the name for the main character?
A: I have a friend whose name is Zarabeth and I always thought it was cool that her name began with a ‘Z,’ so I started there. Obviously, I couldn’t just use her name so I thought of other ways to say ‘Sarah.’ There are a lot! I settled on Zaria because Zaria means princess which has significance in the story.
Her last name came to me very quickly. Zaria would be a girl who longed for adventure, but didn’t think she was capable of it because she was shy. Zaria Timid is silly, but Zaria Fierce is not. And, fierceness is the characteristic she will learn that she has had all along.
Q: How did you get the idea for Zaria Fierce?
A: It started with a name. A name can give a story a lot of power and a special “oomph.” As a fan of Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, and Artemis Fowl, I knew I wanted to title my stories similarly and began to think up names for the main character. Zaria Fierce as a character came to me before I knew her story.
Poll: How do you picture Filip Storstrand?
When you’re reading Zaria Fierce and the Secret of Gloomwood Forest how do you picture Filip Storstrand? Do you envision him like Charles Vandervaart (Murdoch Mysteries)? Or does he appear in your imagination as Parker Dane Conti (Playing for Keeps) when you read?
Poll: How do you picture Zaria Fierce?
When you’re reading Zaria Fierce and the Secret of Gloomwood Forest how do you picture the heroine? Do you think she looks more like Amandla Stenberg (Hunger Games) or like Bella Maltzman?
Poll: Where would you like to go in Zaria Fierce’s world?
Where would you visit if you could follow in Zaria’s footsteps? Would you visit the underground world of Trolgar, home to King Kaffirr and the stalagmite homes of the mountain-trolls? Or would you rather visit the silver glade of the Álfheim and view the elves finely spun glass homes?
Poll: Who is your favorite character in The Secret of Gloomwood Forest?
Zaria Fierce and the Secret of Gloomwood Forest introduced you to many great characters. Which one is your favorite? Is your favorite character the most popular character in the book? Or is it another character? Vote to find out!
Easy Reader Quiz – Zaria Fierce Trilogy – Book 1
Have you read the book? Are you ready to test your knowledge? Take this easy reader quiz to see how much you know about Zaria Fierce and the Secret of Gloomwood Forest.
Map of Gloomwood Forest and the Under Realm
I love to doodle when I’m thinking about a particular part in the book. It helps me to plot and it’s a great way to get over writer’s block. This first doodle is a drawing I completed in ink and highlighter. It showcases a map-like version of how the ellefolken, elves, and Queen Helena work together to overcome darkness. The blue Post-it is a doodle of Zaria wearing a crown.
A Trollish Adventure
I found these trolls on a trip to Europe in Bratislava, Slovakia. When I needed inspiration for Zaria Fierce and the Secret of Gloomwood Forest I would pull up these photos.
Can you guess which one inspired Olaf?
