PHOTO: Sionna Trenz, author of the magical and emotionally resonant Stargazer Island series, brings her stories to life with humour, heart, and a love of legend.
Witchy Worlds Mythical Threads And Emotional Truths
Sionna Trenz explores romance, myth, and emotional healing in her enchanting stories set in the magical realm of Stargazer Island, drawing inspiration from history, legends, and heartfelt personal experiences.
Sionna Trenz brings a vibrant tapestry of imagination and heart to every story she tells. Rooted in the chill and charm of the American Northeast, her narratives shimmer with magic, romance, and a deep awareness of human vulnerability. Whether it’s the rustle of ancient myths or the everyday echo of Buffalo-style pizza and a well-timed “Go Bills,” Trenz finds inspiration in both the fantastical and the familiar.
Her Stargazer Island series is a testament to this blend—where witches inherit houses wrapped in mystery, and past lives whisper through dreams. These are not just love stories or tales of the supernatural; they are emotional explorations, shaped by grief, healing, and the quiet resilience of her characters. Trenz never shies away from emotional depth, and it is this fearless honesty that gives her work its staying power.
Equally at home researching ancient legends as she is crocheting or wandering the woods, Trenz approaches creativity as a full-bodied, ever-evolving experience. Her advice to fellow writers is both grounded and empowering: listen to your characters, and never fear the messy beauty of revision. It is this mix of curiosity, discipline, and heart that makes her voice so distinct—and so worth listening to.
What inspired you to create the magical world of Stargazer Island and its unique cast of characters?
I was looking for a book about a witch who inherited a house, along with a slew of magical dilemmas. When I couldn’t find what I was looking for, I wrote it instead. The island grew from that house, and the characters from that witch’s life.
How does living in Western New York and being a lifelong fan of the Bills and Sabres influence your writing, if at all?
Almost all my books are set in the northeast of the United States. Maybe different states, but the climate is the same. I’ve mentioned pizza (Buffalo style, of course), wings, and hockey in several of my stories. If I do ever set one in Western New York, you can guarantee that someone will greet someone else with a “Go Bills”.
Your books blend romance with mythology, magic, and suspense—how do you balance these elements when writing?
I don’t really have one set formula. The story (usually based on a piece of mythology or legend) and main characters influence the balance the most. Some require more romance, others are heavier in magic or suspense. For me, there’s a moment during writing and revisions where the different elements just click and I know I’ve got the balance right. Until then, I keep tweaking.
Many of your characters have deep emotional wounds or past traumas—what draws you to write such complex emotional arcs?
Everyone who reaches adulthood has a past. No one reaches that level unscarred. Past abuse, grief, betrayal, bullying… they all impact how we react to the people around us in the present. Fictional characters require the same sort of layers and backstory to make them relatable.
You mention being a history and mythology nerd—do you have a favourite myth or legend that’s particularly inspired one of your stories?
That’s tough. I have several. Hunter’s Dance was inspired by the earliest vampire myth I could find, a story about the Ancient Egyptian goddess Sekhmet. My favorite legend is King Arthur, though. And I do have a story in the works that’s influenced by those tales. It’s in revisions now.
How do your hobbies, like crocheting, painting, or hiking, contribute to your creative process or help you recharge between writing sessions?
Hiking, or even just taking a walk, helps me get up and move. Staying stuck in a chair, hunched over a keyboard, for hours is a recipe for writer’s block. Doing crafts helps me stay creative, but in a different way. It keeps my brain from “wording out”.
What’s the most challenging scene or book you’ve written, and what made it so difficult?
I’ve had a few challenging scenes. Hunter’s Dance required so much research, as the premise deals with reincarnation, which I showed through multiple past life dreams. I had to make sure the details fit the time period for each. And my stand alone, Eternal Breath (not in the Stargazer Island universe). Originally it was a short story for an anthology. Very easy, surface level writing. But shortly after I decided to expand it into a full novel, my father passed away. The book became a gut-wrenching, emotional rollercoaster that mirrored my own emotions as I dealt with my grief.
What advice would you give to other authors looking to write stories that combine magic, emotion, and romance so effectively?
Listen to your characters. It’s fine to have an outline and detailed notes. I use them often. But there are many times that the direction of the writing will deviate from those plans. Don’t try to force your story to adhere to your original script, because I can guarantee you won’t like the end result. Also, and this is the biggest piece of advice I can give, just write. You can always change things you don’t like or that don’t work during the editing and revision process. But you can’t edit a blank page.
