FROM THE STUDENT WEEKLY

With her unique ability to tell weird and wonderful stories about fairies, elves, mermaids and underwater worlds, Praekarn Nirandara (Pier), better known by her pen-name Pieretta Dawn, is definitely a writer to watch out for in 2017.

What a wonderful world

Tatag Bunnag

With her unique ability to tell weird and wonderful stories about fairies, elves, mermaids and underwater worlds, Praekarn Nirandara (Pier), better known by her pen-name Pieretta Dawn, is definitely a writer to watch out for in 2017.

Pier was a huge fan of Harry Potter author J. K. Rowling growing up, which helped her to develop a love for fantasy novels. She decided to become an author and at just 15 years old, Pier received acclaim for her debut novel The Mermaid Apprentices, the first part of her young adult book series, The Interspecies Trilogy. It has been published in Thai, English and Italian.

Early next year Pier will release the third and final book, The Elven Ambassador. Student Weekly recently caught up with the 22-year-old author to talk about writing and her career in Hollywood.

Student Weekly: So far, how many novels have you released?

Pier: I have released the first two instalments in The Interspecies Trilogy — The Mermaid Apprentices and The Nymph Treasury. The third book The Elven Ambassador will be out in January. Nanmee Books also published them in graphic novel form. They’re for younger readers who love cartoons or aren’t ready to read proper novels.

Student Weekly: How did you become interested in writing?

Pier: I’ve read books since I was a child. I grew up in a family that loves reading. Every day when I came home from school, my parents were on the couch reading instead of watching TV. That made me curious about books and I soon got into reading too. I decided to become a writer when I was 12 and came up with the idea for the trilogy at 13. I finished the first book at 15. Now I’m 22 and the third book is done.

Student Weekly: What kind of novels were you into as a child?

Pier: In the early years, it was definitely Harry Potter. That was when I realised I was able to finish a thick book without giving up. [Laughs.] And the stories made me really interested in the world of magic. I thought maybe I could tell a similar story. I wanted to inspire young readers.

Student Weekly: Was that why you decided to write fantasy?

Pier: I think so. I also think that when we’re younger we all love cartoons and fairy tales. But we lose our sense of wonder as we get older. We seem to forget that we once wanted to be a princess or a dragon. Life becomes less magical. I want to encourage young people to use their imaginations and even write stories of their own.

Student Weekly: Apart from J. K. Rowling, who are your favourite writers?

Pier: I really love Jonathan Strauss. He’s very good at creating unique characters. Some of my own characters, like Nathair, were inspired by his anti-heroes.

Student Weekly: We heard that you’re now working in Hollywood. What do you do there?

Pier: I’m a full time employee at ICM Partners in their Motion Pictures Literary Department, fulfilling my dream of working in the film industry. Mostly, I read scripts that are sent to the company and see if there’s enough potential to make them into movies.

Student Weekly: Do you have any advice for young readers who want to become successful like you?

Pier: I think you have to find out what kind of career you’d really love, or what skill you’re really good at. Everybody is born with unique talents. Once you’ve found yours, work on becoming the best that you can be. Good luck!