This week I’m delighted to welcome Swedish writer Catarina Lilliehöök to my blog feature. I connected with Cat through a Facebook ‘Write Magic’ group, where writers support one another and seek advice on our publishing journeys. I’m halfway through Catarina’s spellbinding fantasy adventure The Spirit Dragon’s Keeper (Book 1 of the Polar Saga series), which combines Sami folklore and Eastern philosophy and mythology. Catarina’s biography below will give you a flavour of her beautiful writing style!

Author Biography

Catarina Lilliehöök was born in Stockholm Sweden. A former journalist and the author of two books on China, she spent over twenty years wandering ancient cities, tracing dragon lore through winding alleyways and temple shadows. Fluent in Mandarin and steeped in the cultural myths of the Far East, Catarina weaves real-world knowledge into fantasy worlds that feel lived-in and vast.

She always had a pull toward the Sámi lands (Indigenous People of the Arctic)—where the wind speaks in riddles and reindeer cross frozen lakes under star-swept skies. Now settled in Switzerland, beneath towering alpine peaks and forests thick with legend, she writes at the edge of reality. Her stories are gateways—to places where rivers remain unnamed, where memory and magic blur, and where dragons still rule the sky.

When did you first start writing?

Omg—ages ago! Too long ago to even remember, lol!

What do you write?

Epic fantasy.

What was your first published piece of work?

I was a freelance writer for many years, but that was papers and magazines. My first book was about China and cultural differences. It’s in Chinese and was published in China. Then it got translated to Japanese.

Why do you write?

You mean there’s an option? 🙂

What, or who, has helped you on your writing journey?

My teachers! I have been studying for years with several mentors from the US. Courses, workshops and writer’s retreats have all been great and super helpful. I strongly believe in investing time and money in your writing journey.

Share a writing low with us. What did you learn from this?

Sometimes a teacher can be pretty brutal. I had one in particular who was very harsh in her feedback. Once I got a manuscript back from her and completely broke down in tears, flopped over my desk and cried (yes!) I felt so useless. This wallowing misery lasted for about two weeks. Then I picked myself up and began again. I have learnt from this (and several similar episodes) that it’s usually good to put aside your hurt and pride and do what the teachers suggest. Perhaps not always, but… very often… they are right…!

Share a writing high?

Every time I am in any of my fantasy worlds—woohoo! I LOVE hiding in there, especially when all the heavy lifting is done and all I have left is fine tuning. That last bit of tweaking… I could go on forever. DO NOT DISTURB 🙂

Share some of your favourite lines from reviews, or comments you have received about your work, which boosted your confidence (tell us what piece of work it relates to)

Here are a few of my favourite feedbacks on the first instalment The Spirit Dragon’s Keeper in my current fantasy series, The Polar Saga:

Great to get the China validation:

• Having lived in Asia for 26 years, I was especially enchanted by the vivid portrayal of ancient China and its timeless traditions. The writing was so immersive, I could almost taste the vegetarian baozi!

Love the specifically singled out stuff…

• Favorite Quote: “But in a name rests power.”

Who doesn’t love to hear this in a series?

• I genuinely can’t wait for the next instalment – please, please tell me its coming soon!

Any tips for new writers?

Get a teacher. Do a course. Sign up for a workshop. Do all of the above.

And for all writers; any tips for keeping motivated? And how do you find time to write?

I never have a problem with motivation or focus. I think mainly because I just “write whatever comes.” I don’t stop to think or analyze as I don’t want my brain to get involved. Then it would probably instantly stall most of my ideas. I love to change it all around later, and in any case, I find it much easier to scrap than to add on.

Do you have a regular writing routine, or do you write in frantic bursts?

I usually write five days a week depending on what I am doing (which phase). But I always take time for workouts and cooking healthy food (I’m vegan. If I want anything healthy and yummy I have to cook myself). Non negotiable. I love to work out and I love to eat.

Where do you write? (A dedicated space, or on-the-go)

Always by my desk. This is very important: good chair, good computer, good light, preferably some sort of nature view (I have moved a lot so not always possible). Peace and quiet.

Any stand-out books you have read recently?

Right now I’m  reading A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness & absolutely love it! It currently runs as a series on Netflix. I’ve watched it three times.

Where can we find out more about you, and your books?

Author Website: www.lilliehookbooks.com

You can buy The Spirit Dragon’s Keeper directly from Bookhub here

Social Media (Instagram, Facebook, Tik Tok) @ catarinalilliehook