About Winter Warleggan:
Winter Warleggan has always lived with one foot in reality and the other in imagined worlds. Born in Palermo, raised between Northern Italy and Ghana, and now based in Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, Winter draws on a life shaped by movement, culture, and creativity. Her debut fantasy romance novel, Where the Crown Fell, blends magic, emotion, and adventure in a story that speaks to the dreamers and the daring.
By day, she works in the social care sector. By night (and in every spare moment), she writes, reads, and lets her imagination run wild. A lifelong lover of books, Winter also has a background in music and art—and once dreamed of being a singer. These days, she sings for joy and for her 9-year-old daughter, who inspires her every step of the way.
Winter loves exploring new places, weaving emotion into fantasy, and building worlds where love and power collide.
What inspires you to write?
I started writing Where the Crown Fell when I was 17, still in high school. I’ve always been drawn to fantasy — kings, queens, magic — the kind of worlds that feel just out of reach but still deeply human. Growing up, I was obsessed with Harry Potter. It wasn’t just a book to me; it was a place I could disappear into.
Reading has always been an escape — not to run away, but to imagine more. I’d find myself so immersed in the stories I read, I’d daydream about stepping into them, living in those worlds, becoming part of something bigger than reality.
I’m also a hopeless romantic. I love writing about emotion — love, heartbreak, loyalty — but through a fantasy lens. I want my characters to feel real, even when their world isn’t.
Writing gives me a place to dream, to explore, to be free. It’s not real — but it feels real while I’m doing it. And that’s what keeps me coming back.
What authors do you read when you aren’t writing?
Definitely J.K Rowling. She is number one on my list and she is my inspiration. I have also started reading books by Sarah J Maas and I like her style of writing very much. I am currently reading A Court of Silver Flames.
Tell us about your writing process.
Honestly, it’s a bit chaotic — but it works for me. I’m not someone who plans every chapter before I start. I usually begin with a strong idea or emotion, a character I can’t get out of my head, or a scene I feel deeply connected to. From there, I build the world around them and let the story take shape organically.
For Where the Crown Fell, it started with one idea when I was 17 — and it’s grown and evolved with me over the years. I write when I’m inspired, and I let the characters guide me. Sometimes I know where it’s going, sometimes I surprise myself.
Because this is book one of two, I’ve had to be more intentional about the structure — planting seeds for what’s coming while still giving this first book its own complete arc. It’s a balancing act: laying out the emotional threads, building the world, and keeping the pace tight without revealing everything too soon.
I don’t force myself into rigid schedules, but I do set goals. Whether I’m writing at night with a playlist on or scribbling in my notes app on the go, I try to stay connected to the story even when I’m not actively typing.
At the end of the day, my process is driven by passion. I write because these characters and this world live in my head — and getting it all down on the page is the only way to make it real.
For Fiction Writers: Do you listen (or talk to) to your characters?
I listen to my character and we also talk to each other. I try to make the story as relatable as possible – whilst still maintaining the fantasy realm of things. I need to be able to walk in their shoes when I am writing.
What advice would you give other writers?
Just stick with it. I never thought I would end up publishing my book, it has been years and years in the making. But if you really think that you work is good, then polish it and get it out there. The feeling you get when you see those reviews coming in and people tell you that they loved your work – it is underscribable.
How did you decide how to publish your books?
I did online research. I was not in a position to pay upfront for publishing costs and I am very grateful for things like amazon KDP which supports writers in their journey with no upfront costs. I don't think I could have done it without provisions like that being available.
What do you think about the future of book publishing?
I know I will continue writing. Where the Crown Fell is the first part of my book. It ends on a cliffhanger and I am not even sure myself where the protagonist is going to go from here. I am thinking long and hard about what I would do if I was in her shoes. I plan to publish the second part as soon as it is finished and hopefully by then I will have had a good audience. After that, it is to be seen.
What genres do you write?: Fantasy Romance
What formats are your books in?: Both eBook and Print
Website(s)
Winter Warleggan Home Page Link
Link To Winter Warleggan Page On Amazon
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All information in this post is presented “as is” supplied by the author. We don’t edit to allow you the reader to hear the author in their own voice.