I love the fact that many Catholic men and women have the gift of assembling words of the English language and constructing them into paragraphs that convey a story or essay reflecting the Catholic faith in some way shape or form. I sent out a blog post asking different catholic authors to answer some questions about Catholic writing and their particular writing in general. The Third one to submit to me a written interview was the piano teacher turned writer
1. Tell us something interesting about yourself.
I’m a piano teacher, which was what got me serious about writing. My piano student had insisted that music was boring, and I was determined to prove her wrong. Thus, was born my first book, The Stones Will Sing: A classic fairy tale in a modern kingdom.
In the hands of the right person, music could be a powerful force.
Cedar is haunted by her pull to music, which is forbidden in her country.
Prince Ash seeks the wisdom to protect his people and fight for their freedoms.
The ancient myths believed long ago may hold the answers.
2. What makes a good Catholic writer?
The pursuit of truth, and story telling that cares about truth.
3. What do you like about being a Catholic/Christian Writer?
Catholicism has such a rich history and theology – there is so much that is worth thinking about and exploring. A lot of catholic theology makes its way into my stories, hopefully in a way that keeps you thinking about it, but isn’t too obvious.
4. What is the Main focus of your particular Writing or what do you like to write about?
I mostly write low fantasy. My fantasy worlds are very similar to our real world, but with a particular aspect that is a little more front and center. I try to keep the magic relatable – music that changes the trajectory of a story, or a world that makes you think of the here after.
5. How does your Catholic Faith influence your writing?
I like to take ideas that I’m wrestling with, usually something related to catholic thought, like whether violence could be justified and what that might look like; or a formerly common view that we’ve somehow forgotten of thinking about life and life after death.
Right now I’m working on a fantasy story that is inspired by the life of St. Joseph. I’m sure the final story won’t bear much resemblance, but I wanted to dive deep into what sort of man would have been chosen to have a true, chaste marriage to our Blessed Mother. Also, I’m sure Satan was not blind to the fact that God had chosen St. Joseph for some extraordinary task, so I imagine he was beset by dangers and challenges.
6. What’s your favorite article/Post/book/story you have written?
Over the Dragon’s Wall is my favorite story I’ve written. Nytari’s world is a sort of exploration of some truly terrifying aspects of hell might be like and also has some allegorical elements to how the prayers of people on earth help the souls in purgatory (but in a manner that I hope is almost too subtle to tell).
When Sage’s mom dies and her dad abandons them, Sage is helpless to do anything to keep her family together – until she opens a mysterious gate and enters a magical world. She is irresistibly drawn to the violin she finds there, never guessing the power it holds.
7. What is your favorite topic/subject to write about?
Creativity and how it’s related to our search for reality, and the power of language (including the language of music).
8. Favorite scripture verse.
The bible stories resonate with me more than specific verses. I love Mark 7:24-30, where the foreign woman asks Jesus to heal her daughter, and when he seems to be refusing her, she replies by saying, “Yes, Lord, but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” And then, of course, Jesus heals her daughter because of her faith. This story makes it so much easier for me to go to God with my requests. I can’t prove myself worthy before I go to Him, but perhaps I can dare to ask for only the crumbs, and the response is only the beginning of God’s great goodness.
9. What Are you currently working on?
I have three manuscripts I chip away at every day – the final book in my music fantasy trilogy, Chronicles of Danbarrah; a fantasy inspired by the life of St. Joseph; a young adult cozy mystery about a homeschooled catholic kid enrolling in a small town public school.
10. Name a favorite saint or Catholic or some other figure who inspires you in your life.
St. Pope John Paul the Great, especially in his writing.
More recently, I’ve grown closer to St. Paul the Apostle (who I did not understand at ALL as a young catholic).
11. Who is your favorite Living Writer?
That’s a tough one! I tend to have favorite books over favorite authors. Some of my favorite books (if I may) by living authors are’
Markmaker by Mary Jessica Woods,
Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin.
A Newbery Honor Book!
A New York Times bestseller!
An Al Roker’s TODAY Show Book Club Pick!
A Time Magazine 100 Best Fantasy Books of All Time selection!
A Reader’s Digest Best Children’s Book of All Time!
This stunning fantasy inspired by Chinese folklore is a companion novel to Starry River of the Sky and the New York Times bestselling and National Book Award Finalist When the Sea Turned to Silver
12. If you could have lunch with any deceased writer, who would it be, what would you eat and what would you talk about?
Probably Henry Graham Greene. He’s an author that astounds and infuriates me in equal measures, and if he talked at all the way he wrote, I doubt we’d have a moment of silence between us, and enough excitement about some things and sadness about others to keep it interesting. I don’t imagine we could eat around all the talking over each other.
13. Name a favorite movie/tv show or music you find worth sharing with others.
Bach’s Cello Suites were what I thought about while writing the music scenes in The Stones Will Sing and is still my go-to classical favorite. I also really enjoy soundtrack movie music – two of my favorite composers are Ennio Morricone and Hans Zimmer.
13 B. Have you written music as a piano teacher?
I have! Nothing extravagant, but I compose and record little piano tunes, most of them inspired by my books. I share them on my instagram (@author_alannavane), and am working on getting them ready to share on Pinterest.
14. Can you see one of your books being made into a movie or tv series?
I have a lot of respect for film as an art, but I don’t watch much television, so it’s difficult to picture my books as a movie. I think it would be a bit jarring to see my characters represented by a living, breathing human (not that it would be a bad thing! just strange).
I’d actually rather that a film adaptation NOT be completely true to my book, if it was so that the film could highlight a particular aspect of the story that was better served through that arm form. I’d want to work with people who were passionate about telling the story in their own way. And if there was a film score thrown into the offer, that would definitely seal the deal.
15. Favorite Historical event.
I’m sure this won’t be a surprise by now, but I couldn’t possibly choose a single event. I am drawn to stories of people (through all historical ages) who leave their homelands to settle some other place – from Abraham, to ancient Roman soldiers stationed in Judea, to present day refugees.
This interview was published on March 2, 2026
The day these events took place
1882 – Queen Victoria narrowly escapes an assassination attempt by Roderick Maclean in Windsor.
1933 – The film King Kong premieres in Radio City Music Hall and RKO Roxy in New York City.
16. What else do you want people to know about anything.
Picture books are my main literary love. Mostly reading them, but I also have four picture book stories I’ve written over the past five years that all need pictures. I’m trying really hard to get good enough at illustrating so I can finally see those stories come to life.
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