Discover How This USA Today Bestselling Author Creates Relatable Heroines, Blends Humour With Mystery, And Reimagines Mythology With A Fresh Twist
S.E. Babin discusses her passion for flawed heroines, blending humor with mystery, her military-inspired character development, and her unique takes on mythology, friendship, and the power of found family.
S.E. Babin is a literary force to be reckoned with, seamlessly blending humor, heart, and a touch of the extraordinary in her captivating stories. A USA Today Bestselling author, Babin crafts heroines who are as relatable as they are resilient—women you’d want to share a bottle of wine with, laugh until your sides hurt, and cheer for as they navigate the complexities of life, love, and the occasional supernatural twist. With a Master of Fine Arts in Popular Fiction and Publishing from Emerson College, Babin’s dedication to her craft is evident in every page she pens. Her works, from the hilariously enchanting Murder by the Brush to the mythologically rich An Ordinary Day: Vikings of Virginia, showcase her ability to weave humor, mystery, and mythology into tales that linger long after the final chapter.
In this exclusive interview with Reader’s House Magazine, Babin opens up about the inspirations behind her unforgettable characters and stories. From her military background, which shaped her understanding of human connection and resilience, to her love of mythology and her knack for infusing humor into even the most intense moments, Babin offers a glimpse into the mind of a storyteller who refuses to shy away from life’s imperfections. Join us as we delve into her creative process, her passion for flawed yet lovable characters, and the themes of friendship, family, and empowerment that define her work.
What inspired you to create heroines that resonate with readers on a personal level?
One of my least favorite character tropes is Mary Sue. Even the best humans are flawed, and exploring those flaws is one of my favorite things to do. I like to read about people like me—someone who tries their best but isn’t always perfect. Those flaws can translate into entertaining conflict or result in some highly comedic situations.
How does your experience as a military veteran influence your writing and character
This goes back to the first question, I think. The military is a melting pot of different races, backgrounds, and cultures. I spent fifteen years in the service and met some of the most interesting people in the world, people I’m fortunate enough to still be in touch with today. Being in an extreme and stressful environment like the military allows you to bypass the typical “mating dance” of making friends. Sometimes, there’s no time for the social graces or the small talk normal people do when they first meet someone. It’s a trial by fire, and you either click or you don’t. Some of the rawest, most intense conversations I’ve ever had were with my military friends. Meeting that person you can bare your soul to is a rare and treasured thing. I try to treat my characters the same way. You can love someone even when you know they’re flawed, but I think that bond can be even stronger when you know their flaws upfront and choose to love them anyway. That’s how I want my characters to come across. development?
What inspired you to blend elements of humor and mystery in Murder by the Brush?
Most of my stories blend humor and mystery. I’ve tried multiple times to write books without humor, but I don’t think it’s in my DNA. Life is a lot more enjoyable when you laugh about things.
How did you develop the character of Kate Grimshaw and her unique psychic cleaning abilities?
Kate Grimshaw, like most of my ideas, came as a what-if question. What if a woman ashamed of her powers settled in a random mountain town hiding a magical secret? To earn money, she starts out as a maid but realizes she could use her gifts to “clean” out the spirits haunting the residents of their town. I don’t often thoroughly plot out my books, so Kate came a little unformed but molded beautifully once I started writing.
What inspired you to create such a unique blend of humor and Norse mythology in An Ordinary Day: Vikings of Virginia?
I love mythology of all kinds. My first series, The Goddess Chronicles, dealt with Greek mythology. Vikings of Virginia is Norse and follows Freya when she finally gets fed up with her husband’s philandering and leaves him for good. So many stories deal with the gods getting in trouble because they’re jealous or spiteful or can’t keep it in their pants, and I thought a funny spin on that would be a refreshing take from the vengeful, violent gods we normally see in stories.
How did you approach developing the characters of Freya and Morrigan, and what themes do you hope readers take away from their adventures?
I love the found family trope. My hope is we can all be so lucky to find someone in our lives with whom we can share everything. This has been my experience with my military family, and I think everyone deserves to experience that feeling at least once. All of my books have strong female friendships. They choose to fight for each other not because they have to but because they want to. They want to see their friend safe and happy, and they’ll go to extreme lengths to ensure it. Freya and Morrigan are goddesses who should be enemies but find in each other a kinship. Instead of trying to destroy each other, they form a tentative alliance and eventually decide that despite their past and the people who tried to pit them against each other, they’d be twice as powerful if they banded together. It helps that they trust each other and know the other is always looking out for them.
