BIO | thearkanniansaga

ABOUT ME

Gia Watson is an extraordinary storyteller whose life journey has been as captivating as the characters she creates. Born in the picturesque landscapes of Scotland in 1975, Gia's path to self-discovery has been marked by courage, resilience, and a steadfast commitment to authenticity.

Growing up in Scotland, Gia grappled with her identity, navigating the complexities of gender dysphoria in a society that often misunderstood and marginalized individuals like her. Throughout her formative years, Gia found solace in storytelling, crafting intricate worlds and characters that provided an escape from the confines of her reality.

In 2015, Gia embarked on a profound journey of self-acceptance and transition, embracing her true identity as a transgender woman. This transformative experience not only liberated Gia to live authentically but also breathed new life into her creative endeavors.

Gia's alter ego, Deanna, initially conceived as an escape from the struggles of gender dysphoria, has since blossomed into a complex and compelling character within the pages of "The Arkannian Saga." This epic saga, years in the making, serves as both a testament to Gia's personal journey and a beacon of hope for others navigating similar paths.

Despite the demands of a full-time career in Accounting, Gia dedicates her spare moments to penning the adventures of Deanna and the rich tapestry of characters that populate her fantastical universe. "The Arkannian Saga" is not merely a series of stories but a manifestation of Gia's passion, resilience, and unwavering belief in the power of storytelling to heal and inspire.

Now residing in Tennessee with her beloved wife of 20+ years, Gia continues to pursue her creative vision with zeal and determination. In sharing Deanna's journey, Gia hopes to amplify the voices of the marginalized, spark conversations about identity and acceptance, and leave an indelible mark on the literary landscape.

"The Arkannian Saga" is more than just a saga—it is a testament to the transformative power of embracing one's true self and living authentically in a world that often demands conformity. Through her words, Gia invites readers to embark on a journey of self-discovery, resilience, and boundless imagination.

Born in 1975 in Glasgow, Scotland, I was a cute baby—if I do say so myself, lol—and equally cute as a boy growing up. The third image is a before and after - the left is just before I began transitioning, the right a year or so into my journey.

The early years of my life were a lot like any other kid's: school, friends, and of course, getting into trouble. But my teenage years? Well, let’s just say they were especially adventurous. Between the ages of 13 and 16, I spent a lot of time grounded, often caught up in activities that I probably shouldn’t have been doing—much to my parents’ frustration! For more details on that wild chapter of my life, you can check out my transgender story. But right now, I want to talk about something that’s been with me for much longer—something that’s as much a part of me as my own identity: my character, Deanna.

I first began creating Deanna during those formative early teen years, back when my imagination was one of my strongest escapes. She became my alter ego, the woman I longed to be. At the time, fantasy was becoming my doorway to other worlds, and I was more than ready to step through it. Like many others, I tried The Lord of the Rings at first—though, admittedly, I couldn’t get past the second book on my first attempt at age 12. But then, when I was 13, I discovered a novel that changed everything: Magician by Raymond E. Feist. That book captivated me. It was as if someone had unlocked a hidden realm in my mind. Magician became my constant companion, one I read and reread, and it sparked something in me that I hadn’t fully realized—my deep, lifelong love for the fantasy genre.

That love fed into my imagination, and Deanna began to truly take shape. At first, she was simply an avatar for me, an escape, someone I could insert into the stories I was reading. But soon, she became much more than that. Deanna needed depth, purpose, and most importantly, a backstory. I realized I needed to know where she came from, and so I started building her world. Born in Scotland, yes, but there had to be more. It wasn’t long before she was tied to royalty—because, let’s be honest, what girl doesn’t dream of being a princess at some point? But for Deanna, being a princess was just the beginning. From there, I started layering her history, giving her not just a love interest and a goal, but a full and rich lineage that connected her to something greater.

Deanna was a character who evolved over time, much like I was evolving as a person. What began as a simple creation grew into something much larger. I didn’t just create her backstory—I built entire worlds and timelines. I gave her people a beginning, a history, and a purpose. And as I built out these fantastical elements, I found I was also exploring something much more personal. Deanna’s rebirths, her endless cycle of being born again and again across different eras, stemmed from my own experiences with gender dysphoria. For so long, I had wished for the power to start over—to be reborn as the person I truly was, a cis woman. But in Deanna’s story, that wish backfired, and each time she was reborn, it sent her further back in time, creating multiple timelines that she would eventually need to fix.

Her power grew with each rebirth, but so did her struggles, and this resonated with me deeply. Deanna became a way for me to explore my own feelings about identity, transformation, and destiny. And somewhere along the way, I decided to weave the transgender experience directly into her story, tying it into a prophecy about her character. Deanna was not just a powerful, timeless being—she was also someone grappling with the very same feelings of dissonance and longing that I had been dealing with for so long.

Creating Deanna and her world has been a journey in itself, one that allows me to push scientific principles into the realm of fantasy and explore concepts that stretch the imagination. It’s so easy to get lost in universe-building, and I often spend far more time on it than I probably should—but it’s a passion that lets me bring together the things I love: character, story, and the boundless possibilities of imagination.