Charlie N. Holmberg Author Interview: Inspirations, Star Trek, Favorite Book and More
Charlie N. Holmberg is a Wall Street Journal and Amazon Charts bestselling author known for imaginative fantasy series like The Paper Magician, Spellbreaker, and Whimbrel House. In this interview, she talks about magic systems, comfort reads and watches, creative process, and the everyday moments that spark her stories.
What’s a typical weekend like for you when you’re not writing? ☕
A typical weekend likely involves me sleeping in and bumming around the house for a couple hours before I have to put on my adulting/mom hat. 😉 Catching up on housework, hopefully doing something fun with the family, going to church. Nothing too extraordinary.
What book has stayed with you the longest, and why? 📖
Ooooh that’s a tough one. The first book that really affected me was Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine. The Mistborn series also had a big impact on me with that magic system! That one definitely affected how I approach magic in my books.
How long have you been writing, and what attracts you to the fantasy genre? 🐉
I started writing for fun when I was thirteen. More seriously at nineteen. I’ve always loved fantasy and the ability to experience things I don’t get to in real life: magic, dragons, kingdoms, etc. It makes it feel like anything is possible.
What’s a favourite or comfort TV show or film you always go back to? 📺
My favorite movie of all time is Studio Ghibli’s Howl’s Moving Castle. I just love the whimsy of it. (The book is also stellar.) For TV, I will never tire of Star Trek.
Where do you get your ideas from? 💡
Literally everywhere. Anything. I got the idea for Followed by Frost by scraping ice off my windshield. The Fifth Doll from putting together a magic workshop for a conference. The Shattered King from Final Fantasy XVI.
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Do you collect anything / have any collections? 🏺
I really love antiques, especially English antiques. Getting into historical fantasy really birthed an appreciate for times past. I really love antiques, especially English antiques. Getting into historical fantasy really birthed an appreciate for times past.
What does a typical writing day look like for you? 🖊️
I prefer to work in the mornings when I’m still smart. I go down to my office (hopefully) or stay on my bed (probably) and get my drafting/editing done first, then do all the other side-things that come with being an author second (like this interview, ha). If I’m really feeling a story, I’ll draft on and off throughout the day as well.
Are you a planner or a ‘see where it goes’ kind of writer? ✍️
In general, I’m a planner. I keep notebooks, create storyboards, and piece together outlines. Only in the last year have I started pantsing more and it’s given me a micro identity crisis
If one of your novels or stories were to be adapted into a TV series or film, who would you cast as the leads? 🎬
I am truly terrible at answering this question because I am not very good with actors/actresses/Hollywood. I’d have to spend a lot of time on IMDB to come up with anything useful. So, uh, someone with a lot of talent?
Do you ever struggle with creative blocks? How do you push through them? 🤯
I have, yeah. My theory is that writer’s block comes from one of two things. The first, you’re not into your story anymore, so you need to change the story to something that excites you. The second is mental health, and that needs to be addressed before anything creative can flow. I’ve dealt with both. Unfortunately, the latter can’t be “pushed through,” but does require a lot of patience and grace.
Which book of yours do you think new readers should start with? 📚
Usually I ask readers two questions: do you prefer historical or high fantasy, and then how much romance do you want? That helps guide me. But generally, I recommend The Paper Magician to younger readers, Keeper of Enchanted Rooms to historical or cozy fantasy lovers, and The Hanging City to the romantasy peeps.
What writing project are you currently working on? ✒️
I am currently drafting the fifth and final book in the Whimbrel House series, Lady of Uncanny Charms, and awaiting copy edits for the second book in The Shattered King duology, The Half-Hearted Queen.
Charlie’s love of fantasy, structure, and storytelling shines throughout this conversation, from outlining magical worlds to embracing creative flexibility. With new books on the way and a rich backlist spanning fantasy and romance, her work continues to invite readers into worlds filled with wonder and heart.
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