Why do you write the genre that you write?
Most of your readers will know me from my Lily Wong mystery thrillers, but Dance Among The Flames is “an epic novel steeped in Brazilian history and spiritualism [that] mixes a dark, mystical thriller, a supernatural horror story, and a fantastical cautionary tale that spans centuries” (Kirkus Reviews). Throw in magical realism and dark literary fiction and that pretty well sums it up. But no matter how you’d want to categorize it, this story is decidedly dark.

What attracts me to dark fiction are the injurious forces people must fight to survive. Whether these forces are physical or mystical entities, criminal, abusive, systemic, or supernatural, they connect with the reader on a core emotional level. Everyone has experienced injustice and betrayal. Everyone has felt love, terror, and rage. My goal as an author is to examine these issues as authentically as I can and write in such a way that expands awareness and makes people question their current beliefs. For all these reasons, the Publishers Weekly starred review meant everything to me when they wrote “Eldridge masterfully navigates the nuances of Brazilian religious syncretism and takes a deep and daring look into the issues of colorism, class, generational trauma, and physical, sexual, and emotional abuse.”

What’s the quirkiest quirk one of your characters has?
One of the main characters has been plagued by visions and spirits since he was a child and fights an ongoing battle to stay in control of his life. That’s not exactly “quirky,” but this is dark fiction, after all.

Tell us how you got into writing?
It began with angst-ridden poetry as a teen. LOL! Fast forward through decades of writing better poetry and constant journaling to marriage and motherhood when my husband switched careers into film producing and received an influx of screenplays. After reading so many of them, I wrote one myself, which I then expanded into the wild Brazilian novel that would eventually lead to Dance Among The Flames. I set the manuscript aside for thirteen years as I raised my sons and studied/taught martial arts. When I returned to fiction, this epic tale became the project on which I truly learned my craft. By the time I landed the book deals for the Lily Wong thrillers, I had other manuscripts in progress and several published short stories.

What jobs have you held before, during and/or after you’ve became a writer?
I began my career path performing in Broadway musicals like “The Little Prince And The Aviator”, the pre-Broadway tour of “Zorba” a Broadway workshop of “Smile”, and the original 1st National Company of “Cats”. After that, I came to Los Angeles where I landed “The Love Boat” Mermaid gig, did a few other TV shows, recorded with Brian Wilson, and performed the motion capture for Aki Ross in “Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within”.

Once the kids were born, I assisted in pre-school, taught music and percussion, co-directed a high school drumline, and coached cheerleaders (even though I never was one). During my martial arts time, I wrote a book on empowerment, made and sold meditation mala jewelry, taught the ninja martial arts in California and across the United States.

The worst job I ever did (my fault, not theirs) was in NYC, age 19, as a part-time receptionist for a law firm during which I held an attorney’s calls for an entire afternoon while still thinking he was at lunch. They were so relieved when I left to do a musical that they threw me a party!

Where do you write?
I begin writing at my bistro table while standing on a balance board. Then I sit on a stool. Then I move my laptop to various locations where I can sit at a table, lounge on a couch, kneel on a meditation bench, or even sit in the splits. I’m a kinetic person, so I need to keep moving so my back, hips, and legs don’t cramp!

What is your favorite deadline snack?
I absolutely must have a wide selection of high-quality tea. That’s imperative. My favorites include Dragonwell, Jin Xuan (milk oolong), Osmanthus, Sencha, Assam, Darjeeling, chrysanthemum, lavender, chamomile, and mint.

What is next for you?
I’m diving into my Native Hawaiian roots with a new cultural mystery inspired by my “Missing on Kaua‘i” short story in the 2022 MWA anthology, Crime Hits Home. Although talented Kanaka Maoli authors have written gorgeous novels in the literary, historical, and mythological genres, I hope to share our indigenous perspective, plights, and Hawaiian culture in a contemporary mystery adventure. 

What are you reading now?
Current awesome reads included The Fervor by Alma Katsu, Kagen The Damned by Jonathan Maberry, and After The Lights Go Out by John Vercher.

Where can we find you?
Website: ToriEldridge.com
Instagram: @writer.tori
Twitter: @ToriEldridge
Facebook Page: @ToriEldridgeAuthor
Facebook Profile: @torimeldridge

Now to have some fun . . .

Vanilla or chocolate
Vanilla

Ice cream or cake
Ice Cream

Broccoli or squash
Squash

Pizza or burgers
Burgers

Breakfast, lunch, or dinner
Dinner

Mountain or beach
Beach

City or country
Country

Introvert or extrovert
Introvert

And even more fun . . .

You are stranded on a deserted island. What are your three must-haves?
Multi-purpose knife
Water purifier kit
Fire starter kit
(I bet that’s not what you meant. LOL!)

My bio:
Tori Eldridge is the national bestselling author of the Lily Wong mystery thriller series—The Ninja Daughter, The Ninja’s Blade, and The Ninja Betrayed—nominated for the Anthony, Lefty, and Macavity Awards and winner of Suspense Magazine’s Crimson Scribe Award for Best Book of 2021. Her shorter works appear in the inaugural reboot of Weird Tales Magazine and other horror, dystopian, and literary anthologies. Her short story, “Missing on Kaua‘i” appears in the 2022 Mystery Writers of America anthology, Crime Hits Home. Her horror screenplay The Gift, which inspired Dance Among The Flames, earned a semi-finalist spot for the Academy Nicholl Fellowship. Born and raised in Honolulu, Tori’s deep interest in world culture and religions has prompted her to visit nine countries, including Brazil.