Member Spotlight: Lusine Torossian

Why is writing important to you and why do you think it’s an important medium for the world? For me, writing creates an amazing bridge across time and space. Every reader experiences stories in their own unique way. Taking a journey into unfamiliar cultures and perspectives naturally builds empathy and understanding. When readers connect with characters whose lives differ from their own, those differences transform from barriers to bridges. This is especially powerful in fantasy, where the ‘otherness’ of magical beings allows us to safely explore our own diversity. Through story, we can learn to value different ways of thinking and being, which fosters inclusion rather than separation and division. I write for young adults because adolescence was such a challenging time in my life. Books became my lifeline. They helped me understand the world in ways that school and even my family couldn’t. They offered perspectives and answers when I needed them most. I think that in our world, where everyone is shouting their opinions, stories create this quiet space where different ideas can breathe and be explored. Writing gives us the opportunity to explore diverse ideas with nuance and depth. I strongly feel that writing isn’t just important—it’s essential to our collective humanity, expanding our capacity to understand the world around us and cultures beyond our immediate circle. This ultimately leads to compassion.

What are your tried and tested remedies to cure writer’s block? My antidote to writer’s block is what I call the four ‘C’s’: Candles, Coffee, Composition (musical), and Clarity. I begin my pre-writing ritual with lighting a scented candle (nothing strong: vanilla or lavender). I brew a cup of Armenian coffee—no substitutes! Then I select the perfect soundtrack (musical composition)—either instrumental fantasy melodies or natural sounds like rainfall. I finish with five minutes of meditation to clear my mind before typing the first word. This ritual has become a powerful signal to my creative brain. Even during challenging sessions when I feel stuck, this blend of sensory experiences—fragrance, taste, sound, and mental stillness—consistently unlocks my storytelling voice and gets the words flowing again.

What is your favorite time to write? My favorite times to write are the quiet bookends of the day—just after waking and late at night. There’s something magical about those transition periods when the mind lingers in that relaxed alpha state. The early morning gives me that pristine focus I need to create before the day’s distractions begin. And late nights provide a special stillness when the world quiets down. I’ve discovered that my imagination flows most freely during these liminal hours when consciousness shifts gears, and the critical editor brain is nearly asleep, making it easier to slip into my fictional worlds.

What’s the best piece of writing advice you’ve ever received and would like to impart to other writers? The most treasured advice I’ve received came directly from Anne McCaffrey herself. When I wrote to her as a young, aspiring author, she shared a variation of Heinlein’s rules for getting published: ‘Write it. Finish it. Send it out. Keep sending it out until someone sends you a check.’ Those simple instructions contain the fundamental truth of getting published (whether traditionally or self-published)—persistence and perseverance matter. What separates successful writers from unpublished ones isn’t necessarily talent or even opportunity (most writers have both aplenty!) It’s the unwillingness to surrender. The most successful published authors are those who kept refining their craft when others set their dreams aside.

What excites you most about being a writer in today’s age? I think what excites me most about being a writer is the ability to connect with readers who truly need these stories. When I think back to my own challenging teenage years and how books served as a lifeline, I’m thrilled that today’s technology allows readers to find exactly the stories that speak to their experiences. The fantasy worlds I create are filled with mythology and magical beings, and can now reach readers of all ages across traditional boundaries. This connection happens whether readers discover my books through social media reels or through online communities. There’s something powerful about knowing my words might help someone navigate their own journey or see beyond their immediate experiences. I love how writing communities are more accessible than ever. We can support each other in real-time, making the solitary act of writing feel less alone. That’s truly magical.

Lusine Torossian’s Light Weaver is out now with The Wild Rose Press.