House of Sky and Breath

The world of Sky and Breath feels so detailed and immersive, but I wonder how much was planned from the start versus developed as the story progressed. Did the world come first or the characters?

The romance and alliances felt so layered and tense — I kept wondering how the author navigated writing those moments without making them feel overwhelming.

The political intrigue adds so much depth to the story. I'm curious whether these ideas came from myth, personal interest, or a desire to subvert traditional fantasy tropes.