DILSHANI

Yasodhya Wanniarachchi

Hailing from the deep south, young writer Dilshani Yasodhya Wanniarachchi speaks about her maiden novel “The Demon Within”. A fascinating dark fantasy novel, The Demon Within is complete with illustrations to bring her supernatural characters to life.

Q WHAT’S THE NAME OF THE BOOK YOU HAVE WRITTEN?

My first published book is called “The Demon Within.”

Q AS A CHILD WHICH AUTHOR WERE YOU MOST INSPIRED BY?

I have to say it’s Henry Rider Haggard. His writing has a mysterious beauty that is unique to it.

Q WHAT WAS YOUR FAVOURITE BOOK DURING YOUR CHILDHOOD?

As a child, rather than Enid Blyton or Dr. Seuss, I read novels meant for adults. So, my favourite book was She or Ayesha by Henry Rider Haggard.

Q HOW LONG DO YOU SPEND RESEARCHING AND WRITING EACH BOOK?

I use my free time reading and learning about mythologies and legends from cultures around the world such as Vikings, Greeks, Japanese, Egyptian etc and ancient Sri Lanka. I use the material from those legends to build up my characters and stories. For this book I spent 2 years writing and researching while writing.

Q WHAT DO YOU THINK OF LITERARY FESTIVALS?

I think Literary Festivals are a very efficient way to get your work out there and build up an audience for your work.

Q WHICH IS THE BEST ONE YOU HAVE ATTENDED?

I haven’t been to a Literary Festival as of yet. But I do like to attend the International Book Fair and Big Bad Wolf.

Q WHAT ARE YOU CURRENTLY READING?

I’m currently reading Three Men in a Boat by Jerome K. Jerome. It’s about three friends who decide to spend their vacation travelling up the Thames River in a boat and mess everything up hilariously. Even though it’s a comedy, it has surprising insights to human nature.

Q DESCRIBE YOUR WRITING SCHEDULE?

I write whenever inspiration hits me. There is no actual schedule for me.

Q WHAT FOOD FUELS YOU WHILE YOU WRITE?

My writing always gets in the way of my diet plans and regular eating. I just eat whatever I have just so I have energy to write.

Q IN 20 SECONDS DESCRIBE YOUR LATEST PUBLISHED BOOK?

My novel revolves around supernatural beings like demons and dragons. But the message I’m trying to deliver at the end is, despite all the super powered beings and heroes we create, it’s simply by being human that will save the day.

I use my free time reading and learning about mythologies and legends from cultures around the world such as Vikings, Greeks, Japanese, Egyptian and ancient Sri Lanka.