Dive into the mind of author, cosplayer, and geek culture icon Kelly Edwards as she shares her creative journey and insights.
Kelly Edwards discusses her journey into superheroes, crafting multi-dimensional characters, and the intersection of geek culture and storytelling in a captivating exploration of heroism.
Meet Kelly Edwards: a whirlwind of creativity, a maestro of multiple passions, and an unstoppable force in the realm of geek culture. From her endeavors as an author and cosplayer to her role as the chairwoman of the Multiverse FunRaiser, Kelly embodies the vibrant spirit of fandom and the boundless energy of a true superhero aficionado.
Since her preschool days, when She-Ra ignited her imagination, Kelly has been on a relentless quest to explore the world of superheroes in every conceivable form. Her journey has led her to become not only a writer but also a podcaster and a beacon within the geek community.
In this exclusive interview with Reader’s House Magazine, Kelly delves into the depths of her creative process, revealing the sparks that ignited her passion for superheroes and the intricate layers of storytelling that define her work. With characters like Aidan Grey grappling with complex themes of identity and redemption, Kelly’s narratives blend thrilling action with profound introspection, inviting readers to ponder the very essence of heroism and villainy.
Through her characters, Kelly explores the nuances of morality, loyalty, and the eternal struggle between nature and nurture. From the fiery depths of Aidan’s pyrokinetic abilities to Marty Knox’s journey of self-discovery as a police detective torn between duty and love, Kelly weaves a tapestry of humanity against the backdrop of a superhero universe.
But Kelly’s influence extends far beyond the pages of her novels. As a devoted member of the geek community, she draws inspiration from her interactions with fellow fans, engaging in spirited discussions that fuel her storytelling and infuse her work with authenticity and resonance.
Join us as we delve into the vibrant world of Kelly Edwards, where superheroes soar, villains rise, and the lines between fantasy and reality blur in a kaleidoscope of creativity and imagination.
Your passion for superheroes is evident in your writing and other endeavours. Can you share what initially sparked your fascination with superheroes and how it has influenced your creative work?
My initial experience with superheroes happened in preschool when I discovered She-Ra: Princess of Power. I have fond memories of my dad making me a wooden shield and sword so I could run around and pretend to be She-Ra. And from there, I just continued to seek out superhero media in every form.
Scorcher” and “Thin Ice explore complex themes of identity, morality, and loyalty within the context of a superhero universe. What inspired you to delve into these themes, and how do you balance them with the action-packed elements of your storytelling?
I’m a huge psychology nerd, so that ends up working its way into everything I write. I always start with thinking about how the characters are impacted by whatever situations I put them in and really focus on that. It tends to ground the more fantastic action pieces, because everything is centred around moving the character development forward.
Aidan Grey, the protagonist of your Forces of Nature series, possesses pyrokinetic abilities and grapples with her past as a member of the criminal organization Iris. What inspired Aidan’s character, and how do you approach crafting multi-dimensional characters within the superhero genre?
I’m a sucker for redemption arcs, so I really wanted to tell the story of someone who was put into an impossible situation by her upbringing, and then explore what it would take for her to find her way out of that. Aidan is a character who pretty much illustrates the struggle of nature vs. nurture, as she’s raised in a pretty harsh environment (her nurture), but still has a great capacity to do good things (nature) and I was really interested in exploring how that within the confines of a world that had some pretty fun sci-fi elements.
Marty Knox, the police detective who falls for Aidan, adds an intriguing dynamic to the series. Can you discuss the development of Marty’s character and the challenges he faces in balancing his personal and professional life, especially given his secret identity as Chill?
Marty is a character who has a hero complex. He takes the whole world on his shoulders and forgets to care for his own well-being, and I loved exploring the ways in which his love for Aidan teaches him to start finding a bit more work-life balance. He also starts to learn to think more for himself, instead of being so rigid about rules to the point that he fails to see the humanity of those who are being held to the rules.
The Forces of Nature series tackles the concept of supervillains as individuals with their own motivations and struggles. What inspired you to explore this perspective, and how do you approach humanizing characters typically portrayed as antagonists?
Superheroes in general have always been so interesting to me because they are often symbols of hope as much as they are characters. The most interesting superhero stories to me take the time to explore the weight of having superhuman powers and what it means to be ‘different’ and the expectations that come with those differences. The literary format, as opposed to the comic format (which I adore!) gives the chance to dive deeper into the mindset of the characters, as novels often give that internal narrative that you don’t always get with the more visual media. So, I was really interested in delving into the mindset of a villain because often you find that villains don’t just wake up and choose to be ‘evil.’ There’s a lot of shades of grey to be found there, and motivation may not excuse the crime, but it can humanize it.
As the chairwoman of the Multiverse FunRaiser and a cosplayer, you’re deeply involved in geek culture beyond your writing. How does your engagement with these communities inform your storytelling, and do you find inspiration for your work in your interactions with fellow fans?
I am almost constantly inspired by conversations with fellow fans, yes! Discussions about why certain tropes work or don’t work are incredibly inspiring, as well as talking about the reasons that superhero stories still resonate today. Basically, geek culture is filled with creative people and we all inspire each other pretty much constantly!
