I’m kind of predictable in the sense that I’m usually going to be talking about crime or mysteries on this show. It’s just my nature—and the place I’m usually living.

But every now and then I like to branch out and bring someone on the show who writes in a totally different genre. So today I’ve got a fantasy author for you who has a really cool story about how she got started.

Danielle Orsino is an award-winning fantasy novelist whose lifelong vision is to create whimsical realms that her readers can escape to. The creative spark of storytelling has been with Danielle ever since she was a child, but martial arts and her nursing career took center stage into adulthood—until an unlikely event that reignited her creative fire.

But I’ll let her tell you about that.

We had a really fun conversation about writing, the world of fantasy, and so much more. We cover:

• How an encounter with a patient during her nursing years got her back to the writing desk

• Why she’s on the cover of her own novels

• Her obsession with creating strong women characters and how she approaches creating them

• The role her Yorkie plays in her books

This was a really fun conversation—I learned so much about a genre I don’t typically spend a lot of time in. If you’re a fantasy fan—or curious like me what draws people to the genre—you don’t want to miss this episode. Tune in wherever you get your podcasts.

You can find Danielle on Instagram @birthofthefae_novel/

I’m on @lizmugavero - follow for info on the latest episodes