An Interview with Eden Stokes

Eden is a psychological-thriller and dark-romance author who explores commonly taboo themes to weave intricate works of literary fiction. Eden’s work often focuses on social issues, including marginalisation, abuse, and mental health.

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What inspired you to start writing this book?

When I began this novel, I was in one of the darkest places in my life. I was coming to terms with being an adult in an unfair world, being wronged both personally and systematically. I learned that someone can take from you and never face any consequences, thus my protagonist, Orion, was born. Orion was a mirror of myself – he never let anyone hurt him and get away with it, and yet he ended up just as defenceless as I had been. Writing this mirror to myself was cathartic, but also realistic: a reminder that allowing my emotions to rule my life will never be the answer.

If your book had a soundtrack, what are some songs that would be on it?

I find that Take Me Back To Eden by Sleep Token captures this novel perfectly, the desire to be wanted tangled with the realisation that revenge can’t undo trauma. New Born by Muse also slots in well to the story, with Orion feeling alienated having been thrust into a completely unknown environment. Finally, I think Couldn’t Make It Any Harder by Sabrina Carpenter speaks to Orion’s perspective; a part of him regrets how bitter his trauma has allowed him to become, and he believes himself to be unlovable because of this.

Where is your favorite place to write?

As long as I’m alone with my music I love to write anywhere. When I’m sat with my words everything else just disappears, be it the cold walls of the city or the rolling hills of the countryside. Despite this, I find that my words come to me more easily when I’m in nature, especially walking by a stream or along the coast.

What advice would you give your past self at the start of your writing journey?

I’d tell myself to plan things thoroughly. I always begin without a clear end in mind, and it’s often been my downfall. I wouldn’t have breached ten thousand words without a chapter-by-chapter plan. Planning doesn’t constrain you; it actually allows for much more freedom with the reassurance that you’re not straying too far from the original message.

What’s one thing you hope sticks with readers after they finish your book?

I hope that readers see through the character’s perspectives to the true story. Both perspectives are from within a power imbalance and the true reason behind most of their suffering is obscured beneath preconceived views of the world. I’d like it to shine some light on the victim-blaming culture of today, showing that someone can do everything right or everything wrong and it will still never excuse someone taking advantage of them.

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