From Dining Hall to Storywriter: An Interview with Elina Aaseng
By Lexi Davis
On the fourth floor of the Coeur de Catherine, Elina Aaseng, a Sodexo worker, sits gazing out the window. Before I approach her to discuss the book she is writing, I can already see the thoughtful expression of a writer on her face. I sit down across from her and Aaseng’s story begins to unfold.
20 years ago, Aaseng had thought of a revolutionary storyline. “What if all our mythology is actually the history of another world, so close to ours that we could pierce through the veil to get small glimpses into it? What if the reverse is true?” These questions were the starting point of a storyline in a parallel universe, where she explores how concepts such as religion are different in this alternate world, considering “our history is their mythology.” A fantasy novel full of wonder and suspense, Aaseng decided to title her captivating piece “Between Two Worlds.”
After getting hooked on Aaseng's book description, I asked her what inspired her to pursue writing. She told me she initially had the idea when she was much younger. Still, because of her difficult home life and the expectations placed on her to not pursue anything artistically, she never had the push to start writing. “I was taught you are born, you suffer, you die, and if you expect any more, you are fooling yourself.” It took Aaseng a long time to break free from this mindset, but when she did and her mental health improved, she “decided to continue with the idea [she] had when [she] was 23.”
Throughout the writing process, Aaseng has met challenges, struggles and triumphs. She works on her drafts with her boyfriend. They often sit up late at night in their art room, bouncing ideas off each other and debating certain characters. While the process is lengthy, Aaseng notes that she loves the creative process and being challenged in new ways. This is an experience that could never be traded for the world.
As we closed our meeting together, it was clear how important Aaseng’s work is to her. Through everything she had experienced, her passion stood out above it all. Before we got up to leave, Aaseng left us with a final message: “Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do something, no matter who that person is. If your heart is set on accomplishing something, then accomplish it. Just follow where your passion is, and live the best version of you that you can.”
