Interview with Fantasy Author Azalea Dabill

How has fantasy impacted your experience of the world? 

Azalea: It would be easier to say how it hasn’t influenced me. 

Great fantasy adventure has been a lifeline, an inspiration, a joy, a teacher, an expander of my world. During illness it has been a comfort and enjoyment when I couldn’t get out. Imaginative stories gave me the gift of adventure, and still do today. Both good and bad speculative fiction inspire me. They inspire me in the sense that the good shows me moral possibilities of great deeds of heart and mind, while the bad has shown me how far off track we can get. It also identifies evils that need to be fought in the spiritual arena, the wide world of ideas, and the sphere we breathe in. Fantasy shows me heart-thrilling new realms, including the inner world of other minds I have not known, places I have not gone, and kingdoms yet to be won. 

Why do you think clean fantasy adventure is important to us as human readers?

Azalea: Because moral adventure shows us a picture of admirable action, with a sense of the mystery, beauty, and courage we need to live well. It gives us a picture of goodness, not alone, or always unstained, but goodness as it opposes evil. It helps us sort out ourselves, and where we fit in life in the universe. We learn by inner experience what it means to be inhuman and to be human.

In what ways are great fantasy and imaginative fiction vital to our future?

Azalea: The moment we cease to imagine, an exercise in possibility and a kind of creation, we begin to die, in spirit if nothing else. And it is also vital for us to create good things, to think of virtue, to be a witness of its thriving existence. If we imagine evil things and live in them, we misuse our gift of sub-creation. We are not here to make the world worse, but to encourage, help, and inspire every person in the great race of life.

What do you like to write?

Azalea: So far I’ve written YA medieval fantasy set in Britannia and Araby. I’m on the last book of the series. My next planned books are fantasy adventures set in other worlds. All of them, from kings and princesses to dragons are caught in a state of dire flux, seeking to save themselves and others from destruction, of course. An adventure is no good without conflict! I also prefer conflict on more than one level, so my books tend to be character driven tales of beauty and danger.

Current Work in Progress: the third and last book of the Falcon Chronicle, a YA medieval fantasy. Title: Falcon Dagger. 

The first two books, Chronicle I: Falcon Heart and Chronicle II: Falcon Flight, and a companion novella Lance and Quill are available on Amazon.

Bio: 

I grew up in the California hills with four siblings, building forts in the oaks. 

The fuzzy-sweet scent of acorns and moss rounded the strong, delicate perfume of lupine and golden poppies under the summer sun. We didn't have TV in the evenings but listened to the night-song of crickets and dreamed of our day's adventures. We hunted ground squirrels with our home-made bows - but never got any, rode our Red-flyer wagon down our mountain, and roamed far and wide.

I learned to read early and entertained my brothers and sisters with many stories I read aloud. 

Words hold so much power. They loved Narnia, The Young Trailers, and extraordinary fantasy. Robin McKinley's The Blue Sword enthralled me. I have never found enough imaginative adventure with threads of beauty, mystery, and wonder. Now I enjoy family, old bookstores, and hiking the wild. 

Books: Falcon Heart, Falcon Flight, and Fantastic Journey

Or see my website: www.azaleadabill.com and sign up for reading adventure

FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/azalea.dabill

Twitter: http://twitter.com/AzaleaDabill

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/azaleadabill

Join me on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/10067218-azalea-dabill

 Or email me at: fantasticjourney.dynamospress@gmail.com

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Interview with Science Fiction and Fantasy Writer D.H. Aire

My latest interview is with Science Fiction and Fantasy Author D.H. Aire!

Tell us about yourself! What would you like readers to know about you?

D.H. Aire: I’ve loved science fiction and fantasy since I was a kid, watching Star Trek and Lost in Space – which apparently never go out of style. I started writing my own stories as a teenager and began submitting stories to science fiction and fantasy magazines in college, but didn’t get anything published. The rejection letters were painful, so I stopped submitting for years. But that didn’t stop me writing and more often than not rewriting my favorite stories. Ten years ago I decided to submitted the first book of my fantasy series, Highmage’s Plight, to a small press. I was sent a contract in response. Within a few years I joined SFWA (the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America), which was my lifelong dream. I’ve published twenty books to date. My most recent are Knight of the Broken Table, Lessers Not Losers, and a novella, Nowhere to Go But Mars. My forthcoming book is Bigfoot Is Not Your Friend, which is coming out in May.

Cover of For Whom the Bell Trolls by D.H. Aire

What book or books have most influenced you as a writer?

D.H. Aire: The books that have influenced me the most include: Anne McCaffrey’s Dragonriders of Pern Series, Marion Zimmer Bradley’s Darkover Series, and, of course, J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings. What the Pern and Darkover books have in common is blending what are normally magical elements, dragons on Pern, and psychic, quasi-magical abilities on Darkover, where crashed starship landed a human colony on a world they would never have chosen. The mix of fantasy and science fiction are something I love blending in many of my books.

Alexis Lantgen: I loved the Dragonriders of Pern series! Anne McCaffrey wrote some great books with such imaginative settings. I still love her depiction of dragons and fire-lizards.

What do you like to do other than read or write? Do you have any interesting hobbies?

D.H. Aire: Among my other interests are family history research, which have helped me research aspects of my stories, none more so than my novella, Nowhere to Go But Mars. I used what I’ve learned about the immigrant experience at Ellis Island to reverse engineer that experience and write a steerage class immigration experience to Mars. I explore what it might be like for desperate, poor immigrants hoping for a better life on a harsh new world.

Cover of D.H. Aire’s Nowhere to Go But Mars

What TV shows/Movies do you like to watch or stream?

D.H. Aire: I love the reimagined Lost in Space, Picard, The Expanse, the Mandalorian… and I’ve come to really like Star Trek Discovery, particularly the later seasons. I’ve watched The Stand, too, which felt a bit odd during a pandemic.

What’s your favorite animal?

D.H. Aire: My favorite animal used to be cats. I had one growing up, whose been the inspiration for a character or two—problem is that when I went away to college, I became allergic to cats. Now, my favorite animal, which I never expected, are dogs. I have to admit, my daughter has the cutest dog, who I like to go on walks with and who is far more affectionate than my cat ever was. Though, she’d jump into my lap and fall asleep as I read Lord of the Rings. I think reading bored her, but being a cat, she might have been reading along. You never know with cats.

Alexis Lantgen: It’s funny, because I do love cats, but we’re about to get a puppy, and I find myself super excited to have a dog. I haven’t had a dog since I was in high school, but I loved our golden retriever so much. She was an incredible dog. I will say the cats I have now are some of the sweetest, cuddliest, most adorable cats I’ve ever had. One is sleeping on my feet right now.

Cover of D.H. Aire’s Bigfoot Is Not Your Friend

What advice do you have for other writers or people just getting started in writing?

D.H. Aire: There are three important things to know. One, don’t take rejections personally. Write and submit what you write. Starting with short stories will teach you the submission process. Read the submission guidelines, noting that if the editor doesn’t want anything submitted in Ariel or they cannot accept docx files, don’t send them stories in Ariel or saved as docx. Those really will be automatically rejected. Editors I’ve met have shared this happens a lot and they skip to the next submission. Also, if the guidelines say “we want short stories about rabbits crewing starships” and your story isn’t about rabbits crewing starships, send it elsewhere. (Or write one based on what they’re looking for, if you want to. I could be fun.) Oh, you don’t know where you can submit your story? Check out online Submission Grinder, where you can search for open calls for stories, or Ralan.com, which posts specifically for science fiction, fantasy, or horror opportunities.

Most importantly, writing is a business. Writers do not pay to get published. Money (royalties and payment, in general) flows to the author. Self-publishing means the author, in the publisher role, hires for specific services, but once the book is published, royalties flow to the author. Beware Vanity Presses, which promise to provide all the services you could ever want, but not only will they not keep their promises, you’ll have to pay and keep on paying. Learn how to recognize publishers that are not legitimate from those that are. Learn the business.

Great places to learn about this are science fiction and fantasy conventions, where there are sessions and workshops for those interested in getting published and becoming authors. There is also the Superstars Writing Seminar (Superstarswriting.com), which is offered annually. It was founded about ten years ago by bestselling authors Kevin J. Anderson, David Farland, Eric Flint, Rebecca Moesta, and Brandon Sanderson. A year after I attended, I got my first book contract, the terms of which I understood… Lastly, read your contract, even if it is just for a short story. You don’t want to sign your rights away and find you don’t own your characters after signing that contract. Yes, that can really happen, especially to people who don’t read the contract they’ve been sent. And, if you say, that’s what agents are for, that’s another reason to learn the business of writing, which you should not expect to make you rich. So, please don’t give up your day job. That day job will help make it possible for you to pay your bills and write—and medical benefits are real important, too.

Alexis Lantgen: Great advice! Writing is an art, but it’s a business too, and you’ll only get hurt if you don’t learn how that business works.

More About D.H. Aire

Books: High Mage’s Plight, Knight of the Broken Table, Lessers not Losers, and Bigfoot is Not Your Friend

Website: Dhaire.net

Social Media: Twitter

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Interview with Author Michael Chukwudi

Tell us about yourself! What would you like readers to know about you?

Michael Chukwudi: I graduated with a First Class (Honours) Bachelor's degree from the department of Applied Biology, Ebonyi State University, Nigeria. I had my National Youth Service Corps in the department of Biological Sciences, Federal University Dutse, Jigawa State. I’m a member of Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), Ebonyi State Chapter. My writing includes poems, fictions, essays, research writng and short stories. I’ve published in Water Anthology India, 2020 Mahmag Plague Anthology, FCMB Flexx Zone website, Best African New Poets, Zimbabwe and African Brave Voices Poetry Journal 60. I’m a writer who sees things as they happen in the society and writes them.

What book or books have most influenced you as a writer?

Michael Chukwudi: I have read a lot of books but these two books really shaped my creativity; 'Things Fall Apart' by Chinua Achebe and 'The Princess' by Jean Sasson.

Alexis: Things Fall Apart is a really powerful book!

Who is your favorite character in your book? What do you like about them? (or, which character do you hate most and why)

 Michael Chukwudi: My favourite character is 'Ikechukwu.' He is the protagonist in the book 'Undeserved.' The things I liked about him is his tenacity, patience and perseverance. He believed there's a god called 'Chi' who blesses one at the appointed time. And do you know what, most of those attributes he exuded are my real life qualities. 

What are you doing to de-stress during the pandemic? Is there any coping mechanism you’d recommend (or NOT recommend)?

Michael Chukwudi: The pandemic really affected everyone but I know it's just a temporal challenge that's already disappearing. The popular misnomer is 'writers are easily depressed' and in return they commit suicide. To be stress-free, I have been writing, reading, watching movies and exercising. And that keeps me busy. I'd recommend that everyone should observe the pandemic rules and do what he/she loves doing and avoid stress which leads to depression...

What do you like to do other than read or write? Do you have any interesting hobbies?

Michael Chukwudi: I love adventure. If I have the opportunity to travel to every part of the world, I'd gladly do that. As a writer, I love cultural diversity. It helps me know about people and their cultural heritage.

Tell us about a mystery/urban legend from your hometown (or another place you’ve lived).

Michael Chukwudi: The mystery in a place I have temporarily visited is that of the two rivers. I used this river in the creation of the story 'Undeserved.' However, there is a little bit of fictional elements included. The two rivers bore different colours at the confluence and people in this society believed the rivers are quarrelling. According to tales, the two rivers hardly stay in one container; in an attempt to mix them, the container shatters.

Cover of Undeserved by Michael Chukwudi!

What TV shows/Movies do you like to watch or stream?

Michael Chukwudi: I watch movies inclined with Sciences. Do not forget, I'm a scientist. Though due to the nature of my storyline (Historical fiction) I watch a lot of African movies. It helps me learn about Africa and her people. I'm an African anyway and I write African Literature. 

What’s your favorite animal?

Michael Chukwudi: My favourite animal would be the Eagle. I love soaring so high like this animal.

Do you like playing video games? What’s your favorite game right now?

Michael Chukwudi: I hardly play video games but when I do, it'd be 'Firewatch.' Oh yes, the Firewatch influenced my writing because I learnt how to keep suspense which will make the reader stick to the end.

What advice do you have for other writers or people just getting started in writing?

Michael Chukwudi: My advice is this 'No writer writes in a vacuum.' Read, read and read to see how words are woven. A good writer is a good reader. Implore tenacity, patience and perseverance just the way Ikechukwu did in the novel 'Undeserved.'

Alexis: That’s always some of the best advice! Books are food for your soul and your creativity.

How do you choose what books you want to read?

Michael Chukwudi: When I enter a bookshop or the library, the first thing that attracts me is the cover page, then the title and the author's bio. I do not believe in the popular saying 'do not judge a book by its cover.' What appeals to the eyes is also good for the mind. The eyes first...

Do you like Greek/Roman/Norse/Asian/African mythology or folklore? What’s your favorite myth?

Michael Chukwudi: I said it before that I love diversity, I read everything but when it comes to writing, I write African. In that case, African Myth is my favourite.

If you write sci-fi, what technology or innovations or scientific discoveries have inspired your work?

Michael Chukwudi: The first book I wrote 'The Road to Discovery' is all about scientific discovery. Though, yet to be published. The Ebola virus saga was the inspiration behind the piece.

Picture of Author Michael Chukwudi!

Find Out More About Michael Chukwudi!

Book: Undeserved

Website: www.zumapublishing.com

Social Media: Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram

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Interview with Fantasy Writer Katie Zaber, Author of Ashes and Blood

Check out my next author interview with Katie Zaber! Her book Ashes and Blood is free this weekend!

Tell us about yourself! What would you like readers to know about you?

Katie Zaber: I’ve always been creative, but never took up writing until I was recovering from surgery, was on a lot of meds, and let my imagination loose. Once off the meds and healed, I edited the story, building and rearranging, working through drafts until I was happy.

Alexis: Interesting! One of my story ideas actually came to me while I was in the hospital recovering from a C-section. I think something about the enforced rest and boredom does kind of inspire you (not to mention the morphine).

What book or books have most influenced you as a writer?

Katie Zaber: There are a few books and authors that really influence my writing. I’d say J.R.R. Tolkien’s use

of description in fantasy, Margaret Atwood’s style, and Chuck Palahniuk’s obscurity influence

me the most. However, I’d like to think I’ve absorbed a little bit from every book I’ve read.

Who is your favorite character in your book? What do you like about them?

Katie Zaber: I love Kilyn. She is a preteen Fae slave who was sold by her parents because she has bad blood and was born with no magical gifts. She’s spunky and fearless, using her wits and resources to

survive. I just might write a spinoff series with her...

What are you doing to de-stress during the pandemic? Is there any coping mechanism you’d recommend (or NOT recommend)?

Katie Zaber: Put down the phone. Stop panic scrolling and get your mind out of the daily insanity. Every time you have the impulse to scroll, pick up a book, start a new interesting show, learn something

new, or start a new hobby. I’ve been trying to keep my screen time on my phone to less than an

hour (with the exception of work and reading). That has helped relieve the stress and stop

wasting time.

Alexis: So true! I’ve had to delete Facebook off my phone or disable it to keep from spending too much time distracted. Now if I go on my phone, I try to at least do something worthwhile, like trying to learn Spanish on DuoLingo.

Cover of Below Dark Waters by Katie Zaber

What do you like to do other than read or write? Do you have any interesting hobbies?

Katie Zaber: I love baking delicious desserts and breads, almost as much as I love to eat them. I spend hours in the kitchen, blasting music, sipping sweet wine with flour up to my elbows. When not in the

kitchen, I’m reading a book or trying to find something to find on TV. If the weather is nice, I’m

visiting my hometown and going to the beach or heading to Six Flags Great Adventure to scream

and people watch for the afternoon.

Alexis: I love baking too! I’m a huge fan of the Great British Baking Show, so I’m always trying recipes from the show! BTW, Paul Hollywood’s chocolate babka is incredible.

Tell us about a mystery/urban legend from your hometown (or another place you’ve lived).

Katie Zaber: I grew up on the coast in South New Jersey. My town bordered on the New Jersey Pine Barrens, home to the New Jersey Devil. I can remember going to Wells Mills Park, a few miles away

from my elementary school, to go on a field trip and read about the Devil’s notorious birth and

how he still haunts the woods. He is even rumored to make appearances at kid’s birthday parties.

What TV shows/Movies do you like to watch or stream?

Katie Zaber: Anything fantasy or sci-fi, I like action too. Right now I’m excited for Hand Maid’s Tale.

Anything with powers, magic, robots, alternate universes, otherworlds, outer space, anything that

isn’t reality is something I’d watch.

What’s your favorite animal?

Katie Zaber: Can I pick a dinosaur? Ankylosaurus. The ones with a club tail that they would use to whack

predators and their backs had bone plates and horns. They were so cool looking. When I was a

kid, I really wanted Jurassic Park to be real life.

Alexis: You can totally pick a dinosaur, and Ankylosaurus is awesome!

Do you like playing video games? What’s your favorite game right now? Has a video game

ever influenced you as a writer?

Katie Zaber: YES! Jumping into another world and exploring is so much fun!!! Right now I’m playing

through all the Assassins’ Creed games.

Do you like playing board games or role playing games like D&D? If so, which games do you like best?

Katie Zaber: I like to play chess and card games.

Do you have pet(s)? If so, share a picture of your pet!

Katie Zaber: Yes, I have a ball python named Wrathy. He is the best.

Katie Zaber’s snake, Wrathy!

How do you choose what books you want to read?

Katie Zaber: The cover has to grab me. It has to make me ask questions or want to know more. If the blurb is amazing, I’m sold.

Do you like Greek/Roman/Norse/Asian/African mythology or folklore? What’s your favorite

myth?

Katie Zaber: I like myths and folklore, and read more Celtic folklore, but don’t have a favorite.

You can travel the same path countless times, but it can sometimes lead to another realm.

Cover of Ashes and Blood by Katie Zaber

Ashes and Blood

A mystical tree captures the attention of Megan and her friends, morphing the surrounding environment, transferring them to an exotic planet with bloodthirsty creatures. Saved from the deadly beasts by hunters, Megan finds herself stuck in a rural town still maimed by the plague. A chance encounter with a familiar face gives Megan and her friends some security during their adjustment to this new world. While settling into promising lives, they are attacked and stalked by planet Dalya’s humanoid inhabitants, who focus solely on Megan. 

One dark night, after a magical attack, the Fae King’s knight is sent to fetch Megan for a reason she can’t possibly guess. When she wakes up a prisoner, she learns that there is much more to this strange place, and it is oddly more like home than she ever would have expected. 

The more Megan learns about the strange world of Dalya, the more she realizes that finding a way home is insignificant compared to everything else at stake.

More about Katie Zaber

Katie Zaber knows the best way to decide who is cooking dinner is with a Nerf gun fight in the living room. Her boyfriend is an exceptional cook. When she isn’t baking, reading, or going to wine tastings, she’s busy planning her next trip to Six Flags Great Adventure or Long Beach Island, New Jersey. As a child, her mother would read stories about Atlantis and other fictional places that she dreamed of exploring, fueling her love of history, adventure, and fantasy. These days, she finds herself captivated by her many projects and enjoys quiet nights at home.

Books: Ashes and Blood and Below Dark Waters

Website: https://zaberbooks.com/

Social Media: Goodreads, Bookbub, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram

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Leon Stevens Interviews Leon Stevens, Sci-Fi Author and Poet

Leon Stevens interviews Leon Stevens for Lunarian Press!

Hello. I’m Leon Stevens, and I’m here with the author Leon Stevens. 

  - So, we are doing this again?

Do you have somewhere to be?

  - No, not really, unless you forgot something. Who is this for this time?

Lunarian Press.

  - Ahh, yes. Fine folks. OK, go ahead.

What would you like readers to know about you?

 - That I’m out there, not philosophically, but I am a writer. One of the hardest things about being a new indie author is getting the word out. 

Do you want to let them know what books you have written?

 - My first book, Lines by Leon: Poems, Prose, and Pictures, is a collection of—

Poems, Prose, and Pictures?

 - Exactly. My second book is a book of classical guitar music called Journeys, and my latest book, The Knot at the End of the Rope and Other Short Stories, has both science fiction and post-apocalyptic stories, along with a few poems.

Cover of The Knot at the End of the Rope by Leon Stevens!

I’ve asked this before—

 - And you’ll ask it again?

[silence]

Can I finish?

 - Go ahead.

As I was saying, you write in many different styles. Do you think that limits your appeal by segmenting your readership?

 - I’ve thought about that. But if I am inspired to write something, I don’t want to limit myself. I still write poetry. It took me four years to publish my first book of poetry—I’m not going to be able to put out another right away. I hope my readership will embrace my eclectic writing.  It is about entertaining and keeping readers engaged. Writing poetry served its purpose. It was therapy for me. Once I discovered my enjoyment of writing, I turned to science fiction because that was my first love.

Cover of Lines by Leon, a collection of poems, pose, and pictures by Leon Stevens

What book or books have most influenced you as a writer?

 - My father, who wasn’t a writer, would make up space stories at bedtime, so I credit him for introducing me to that genre. I like to think that Kurt Vonnegut had a role in how I write. His writing is part science fiction—without the hard science—mixed with humor, satire, and cynicism. The Illustrated Man by Ray Bradbury turned me on to short stories.

What are some tropes of fiction in your genre that you love/hate? Why?

 - I don’t think there are any I wouldn’t touch or dislike reading. They are used for a reason—because they work. I wouldn’t say there are bad ones, just ones that are used badly. 

Used badly…Is that proper grammar?

 - Excuse me, did I put the adverb in the wrong place?

I’m not sure. It just sounds…odd? I see that you are redesigning your science fiction book cover. Why?

 - It was my initial design—and I liked it—however, it seemed to not have the appeal that I hoped for. After a few self-publishing courses, I decided it was a good change to make. 

I like #5, by the way.

  - That seems to be the consensus.

Feel like doing the lightning round?

 - Sure, Why not!

Favorite—

 - Chocolate!

I wasn’t done.

 - Sorry

Favorite T.V. show

 - Star Trek

What’s your favorite animal?

It’s not the same as yours? Let’s say it at the same time. One…two…three.

Platypus/Armadillo

Really? Huh. Go figure.

When was the last time you played a video game?

 - Wow. That’s a while ago. I think it was Fallout—the third one.

So, not a fan?

 - Apparently not.

Do you remember when we used to play D & D in university? 

 - We played more games than we studied, didn’t we. How about Shadowrun?

Wow, I haven’t thought of that one for a while.

 - And lots of board games.

Risk

 - Stratego

Supremacy

 - Axis and Allies

Good times.

- Indeed!

Let’s end off with a final writing question. What advice do you have for other writers or people just getting started in writing?

 - Write about what you love. I would say—others may not—that you should write for yourself first, then as you hone your craft, you can decide if you want to write what people are buying. 

Well then, I think that’s about it. Anything else to add?

 - Just this column of expenditures. Tax time, remember?

[silence]

Find Out More About Leon Stevens!

Leon’s Social Media and Website: Website  / Goodreads / Twitter  / Instagram

Book Links: The Knot at the End of the Rope    Lines by Leon   Journeys

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Interview with Science Fiction Writer Stacy Overby

My next author interview is with science fiction writer Stacy Overby!

Tell us about yourself! What would you like readers to know about you?

Stacy Overby: Some of the big things - I am a mother to a very busy ADHD 8 year old son who tells awesome stories and is an adorable cuddle monster. I am an alcohol and drug counselor supervisor for a major hospital, so COVID has led to some very interesting challenges at work over this last year. It’s kind of a miracle my husband has put up with me as well as he has over the last year. Well, twenty really since we got married. I write across multiple areas of the speculative fiction arena - mostly sci-fi and fantasy, but dabble in other genres as well. Most of my books are published through Three Furies press, where I also do some graphic design work.

Alexis: Wow! I’m always impressed with the dedication of people who counsel young people, especially people who suffer from addiction. One of the other authors I’ve interviewed, Olga Gibbs, was also a mental health worker.

What book or books have most influenced you as a writer?

Stacy Overby: Some of my absolute favorites are The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, The Lord of the Rings series, The Black Jewels series, the Wolfwalker series, and the Dragonriders of Pern series. I could add so many more books, but these definitely are high on my list of all time favorites. Oh, and the Iron Druid Chronicles. I love the way each of these approaches the story - a great mix of seriousness and hilarity. Each stays consistent and believable even in the craziest moments. And most of all, each tells a great story that draws you in. That’s ultimately what I’m working to create - stories that are amazing and pull you along for the ride.

Alexis: I’ve also loved The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy! Douglas Adams is a brilliant writer. And I just loved the Dragonriders of Pern as well.

What are some tropes of fiction in your genre that you love/hate? Why?

Stacy Overby: Ugh, I really detest the “damsel in distress” thing where they’re basically useless without someone there to protect them. It’s fine to start there and allow that character to grow beyond this, but leaving them in that position without ever questioning it or change is just old and misogynistic to me.

I tend to gravitate toward a “chosen one” trope, but I also like to try to mix it up a little. Yes, that character may be “chosen” but do they really go to their “destiny” without fighting it or questioning it? Is their “destiny” really what it seems? Things like that. 

Alexis: I completely understand disliking the “damsel in distress” trope. I do find the “chosen one” trope a little trying, mostly because it feels as though characters should work or worry more than chosen ones do. No one’s fate should ever be certain, because we can never really know what the future brings.

Who is your favorite character in your book? What do you like about them? (or, which character do you hate most and why)

Stacy Overby: One of my absolute favorite characters in my books is Devin Wade. He’s the leader of Black Ops, a military/police type force in my space opera series. Devin carries the weight of everything on him and struggles to make peace with the price he’s paid for doing what’s right. Devin is, in his way, a very broken man but strong and has a good heart. I see a lot of myself in him, which has made finishing this book quite the challenge. I’ve had to take it in bits and pieces.

Cover of Tattoo, and Black Ops Book by Stacy Overby

What are you doing to de-stress during the pandemic? Is there any coping mechanism you’d recommend (or NOT recommend)?

Stacy Overby: I highly recommend NOT doing what I’ve done, which is go “I’m fine” until it hits a point that I’m not.  But that’s also because I’m a supervisor of an addiction medicine clinic in a hospital. We specialize in treating opioid addictions. So yeah, lots of stress and it’s easy for me to ignore taking care of myself.

Things I have started doing to take care of myself include doing some yoga (not as often as I want but getting there), going for walks, talking with some friends, and just being more mindful of my own health in general. These are some of the things I’d suggest others have as well. Especially the friends who’ll kick you when you’re not taking care of yourself, metaphorically speaking of course., and tell you to keep yourself as a priority as well.

What do you like to do other than read or write? Do you have any interesting hobbies?

Stacy Overby: Man, I need to be independently wealthy to continue supporting all the things I love to do and want to learn to do. Currently I quilt, I’m learning art journaling and watercolor painting, and I crochet. I also cross-stitch, camp, hike, kayak, do photography, and am learning graphic design. That’s probably the bulk of it at this point.

Alexis: That’s an impressive list! I tried to get more into sewing early in the pandemic (I made a lot of homemade face masks), but I’m not nearly skilled enough to try quilting! If you ever read Margaret Atwood’s Alias Grace, she writes some incredibly beautiful passages about quilting and the symbolism of different types of quilts women made in the 1800s.

Tell us about a mystery/urban legend from your hometown (or another place you’ve lived).

Stacy Overby: Did you know MN has a serpent just like Nessie over in Loch Ness? We do! We have the Lake Pepin serpent. Pepie is a friendly serpent that can sometimes be spotted swimming about in Lake Pepin. There’s even festivals and celebrations for Pepie!

Alexis: I did not know about Pepie! What an amazing legend!

What TV shows/Movies do you like to watch or stream? 

Stacy Overby: We tend to watch a lot of documentary type things around my house. My 8 year old son LOVES them. I know, he’s a bit odd that way, but hey, I’m not going to argue. We learn all sorts of things about engineering, biology, astronomy, and more. I’m also currently going back to rewatch the Stargate series. I watched a bunch of it but missed the last couple seasons before it went off the air.

Alexis: We also like to watch documentaries, especially nature ones. We loved My Octopus Teacher, which just came out on Netflix.

What’s your favorite animal?

Stacy Overby: Tough call, I love lots and lots of animals. I’d adopt most of them if I could. If I have to go with just one, I’d have to stick with my dolphins. They’re just such incredible creatures.

Do you like playing video games? What’s your favorite game right now? Has a video game ever influenced you as a writer? 

Stacy Overby: I do play some video games, though not a ton. I am so in love with Zelda Breath of the Wild right now. Amazing graphics and beautiful game play. I can’t say for sure a specific video game has influenced my writing in a certain way, but I’m sure some of the stories and things filter through. After all, I tend to play the sci-fi/fantasy type games and that’s what I also write.

Alexis: Breath of the Wild is one of my favorite games!

Do you like playing board games or role playing games like D&D? If so, which games do you like best?

Stacy Overby: Hmmm, I’d love to get back into D&D, but that’s hard when my son isn’t quite ready to do something like that yet. So, we stick with board games right now. The latest couple we’ve found that are a lot of fun are Apollo and The Battle for Hogwarts. Apollo is based off the NASA Apollo and Gemini missions and you don’t need me to explain the other one. I like them because they’re cooperative games racing against time/against an “automated” bad guy to beat.

Do you have pet(s)? If so, share a picture of your pet!

Stacy Overby: I do! I have a small menagerie around my house. My son would love to add to it and it breaks my heart to tell him no. Currently we have a Russian tortoise, a rabbit, and 3 fish. Rabbit and tortoise are pictured here. The fish don’t hold still long enough.

Alexis: They’re so cute!

Cute Bunny!

Stacy Overby’s pet rabbit!

Tortoise!

Stacy Overby’s pet Russian tortoise!

What advice do you have for other writers or people just getting started in writing?

Stacy Overby: Stop getting hung up on the “do and don’t”s of writing. Yes, there are good things to keep in mind, but there are also exceptions to most every rule. Read a lot. I mean a real lot. That’ll give you an idea of what it takes to get to something that should be printed and how to tell when it might not be ready for print yet. Then start putting words on the page. You can’t edit a blank page, so get those words down. Then worry about what to do next with it.

How do you choose what books you want to read?

Stacy Overby: Depends on my mood. Sometimes I’m up for something heady and intellectual feeling. Other times I just want something fun to read. Since the pandemic hit, I’m also careful at times to look for things that can take my mind off work and such. But basically, I’ll read most things at some point or other.

Do you like Greek/Roman/Norse/Asian/African mythology or folklore? What’s your favorite myth? 

Stacy Overby: Oh wow, I love mythology and folklore! First off, there’s so much psychology underlying them that is fascinating. Plus there are some awesome stories out there. And the fact that such diverse cultures have very similar myths is so interesting. For example, most cultures around the world have some kind of great flood myth--how did that work out that way? Anyway, one of my favorite myths comes from Celtic mythology. It’s how banshee are created. That, to me, is the ultimate gothic dark fantasy type myth.

If you write sci-fi, what technology or innovations or scientific discoveries have inspired your work?

Stacy Overby: I do write sci-fi and love looking at things around me then asking that “what if”. Like, for example, we have iPads and Android tablets now. What will those look like in the future? What about bluetooth headsets? What if those evolve into the entire phone and headset being one small device attached near your ear? And what if we could go inside someone’s psyche, kind of like an x-ray or CAT scan, or even like a version of a holodeck? What would we find? I’m not super great on all of the technical ins and outs of the technology, which is why I tend to stick more to soft sci-fi/space opera type stuff, but I still love looking at what exists now, which feels in some ways very futuristic already (while I’m not *that* old, I do remember life before cell phones and much of any internet), and imagine what else it will evolve into over time.

Find out more about Stacy Overby!

Books: Tattoos; Scars, and Scath Oran

Website: www.thisisnothitchhikersguide.com

Social Media: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Goodreads, Pinterest, and Bookbub

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Interview with Science Fiction Writer Kristofor Hellmeister

My next interview is with Kristofor Hellmeister!

Tell us about yourself! What would you like readers to know about you?

Kristofor Hellmeister: I'm an alien--a legal alien. I was born in Canada but have since moved all the way to a small town near Atlanta, GA. I live with my beautiful wife, Kristie, and my son, Maddox. We are actually expecting our second child—a baby boy—who will arrive in August. I enjoy reading science fiction, historical fiction, fantasy, military fiction, and nonfiction--especially history or leadership focused. When I'm not writing or reading, I am outside taming my backyard, or golfing with my brothers, or going for a run. I am a teacher, but can honestly say that teaching never feels like a job. I hope you enjoy my writing!

Alexis Lantgen: One of my friends, Sarah Mensinga, is also from Canada, and I’m a teacher too!

What book or books have most influenced you as a writer?

Kristofor Hellmeister: My writing has been influenced by a number of great authors including C.S. Lewis, Bradbury, George Orwell, Brian Jacques and many others! 

What are some tropes of fiction in your genre that you love/hate? Why? 

Kristofor Hellmeister: I once wrote a short story that was science fiction and the editor returned it to me and told me to stop “using nautical terms,” to describe space flight. I don’t necessarily hate the trope of using nautical terms, but I certainly understand why I needed to put my own spin on it! 

Another trope I don’t agree with is making your characters impervious. I think a realistic character carries emotional, physical, or psychological struggles. 

Alexis Lantgen: I also fid the impervious trope incredibly annoying. It makes characters feel too safe, as though they’re never really in danger. It sort of robs the story of its drama.

Who is your favorite character in your book? What do you like about them? (or, which character do you hate most and why)

Kristofor Hellmeister: My favorite character is Damien. He’s fiery and doesn’t take no for an answer. It’s always fun to develop his chapters and to see how he interacts with other characters. 

My least favorite character? I’d say Rais, who is purely evil. I don’t like to write purely evil characters because this is usually not realistic and feels like a disservice to his character development. 

Alexis Lantgen: Yes, I generally think it’s better to write complex characters. People are complicated, and very few are wholly good or completely evil. Most of us are just trying to do the best we can to get through the day.

Cover of Axiom by Kristofor Hellmeister

What are you doing to de-stress during the pandemic? Is there any coping mechanism you’d recommend (or NOT recommend)?

Kristofor Hellmeister: To be honest, I pray a lot, spend time outside with my son, hang out with my wife, journal my emotions, enjoy the small moments like a beautiful day or a walk in the sunshine. In the midst of stress, I do not look for an escape because that doesn’t lead to a solution for the pressures. I try to learn from my situations and trust God through them. 

Tell us about a mystery/urban legend from your hometown (or another place you’ve lived).

Kristofor Hellmeister: Hmm. That’s a good question. I don’t know one specifically for my hometown, but I do know that when my eldest sister was younger—around three years old—she was visited by “the Fog,” which tormented her for almost a year. 

What TV shows/Movies do you like to watch or stream? 

Kristofor Hellmeister: I love military thrillers, spy thrillers, science fiction movies like Star Wars or Avengers, but I’m game for political dramas and sports shows like Friday Night Lights. 

What’s your favorite animal?

Kristofor Hellmeister: I love dogs because they are friendly, though I enjoy going outside and experiencing nature however it comes. My favorite bird is the whippoorwill, though.

Alexis Lantgen: I love whippoorwills! I had a friend who had one in their backyard when I was a kid, and I remember watching it pretend to be injured whenever we got too close to its nest. They’re amazing animals!

Do you like playing board games or role playing games like D&D? If so, which games do you like best?

Kristofor Hellmeister: My favorite board games are Killer Bunnies, Smallworld, Monopoly, and Life. 

Cover of Citadel by Kristofor Hellmeister

What advice do you have for other writers or people just getting started in writing?

Kristofor Hellmeister: Network. Network. Network. Don’t give up when your first, second, or third book doesn’t sell. Write from your struggles, your failures, your fears and you will never run out of material. Pour everything you have into each story as if it were the only story you had the chance to write. 

How do you choose what books you want to read?

Kristofor Hellmeister: I try to be a disciplined reader, which means I read a nonfiction in the morning and a fiction in the evening. Right now, I’m on a classics kick so I’m reading books like Gone with the Wind and The Brothers Karamazov. 

Alexis Lantgen: Interesting! I also love reading classics.

Do you like Greek/Roman/Norse/Asian/African mythology or folklore? What’s your favorite myth? 

Kristofor Hellmeister: I do! Pandora’s Box is pretty interesting. I like the idea that man has opened a door that carries with it dire consequences. This theme is prevalent in my work. 

If you write scifi, what technology or innovations or scientific discoveries have inspired your work?

Kristofor Hellmeister: I’d say that the technology that has inspired my innovations has to be the Apple Watch. I like the idea of having an interface that you can have literally on hand. In my Axiom Chronicles, the technology is also inspired by Scripture in that the citizens of Axiom are meant to shape their world.

Find out more about Kristofor Hellmeister!

Twitter: @KrisHellmeister 

Website: kristoforhellmeister.simplesite.com

Goodreads: @Kristofor Hellmeister 

Instagram: @hellmeisterkristofor

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Interview with Science Fiction Writer P.J. Sky

My next author interview is with P.J. Sky, the author of A Girl Called Ari and Ari Goes to War!

Tell us about yourself! What would you like readers to know about you?

P.J. Sky: I’m P. J. Sky, author of A Girl Called Ari and Ari Goes To War. I’m currently working on Ari’s third adventure.

I’m from the UK, and I’ve written from a young age. I’ve always been a fan of science fiction, but I’m also completely in love with the written word. I feel like a novel is a specific thing - it’s not just a story, it’s the exploration of an idea.

What book or books have most influenced you as a writer?

P.J. Sky: I’m hugely influenced by the classics - Crime & Punishment, The Catcher in the Rye, Jane Eyre, Breakfast At Tiffanies, and science fiction works like Brave New World and Dune. I love the dystopian fiction of J. G. Ballard, particularly his apocalypse works. And I’m a big fan of The Hunger Games. But it was reading Blood Red Road by Moira Young that really got me writing post-apocalypse fiction.

Alexis: Awesome! I actually love reading classics as well. I think it’s always a benefit to a writer to read great literature. I’ve never read Blood Red Road, but it sounds interesting.

What are some tropes of fiction in your genre that you love/hate? Why?

P.J. Sky: That’s a hard one to answer, because I think most of the main tropes, like government control, environmental disaster, survival, revolution, these all remain just as relevant today as they did fifty years ago and there are almost infinite ways they can still be explored. I think though, if you’re an author who wants to explore these themes, then you should have a reason to explore them and not just use them as a backdrop.

Cover of A Girl Called Ari by P.J. Sky

Who is your favorite character in your book? What do you like about them? (or, which character do you hate most and why)

P.J. Sky: With A Girl Called Ari, it’s Ari. As I was developing the book I had the setup, the theme, and I’d stranded my main character out in the wasteland and I thought, “Who’s she going to meet?” and it was like Ari just walked out of the wasteland and into my head and she just took over the narrative. She was hard to work with and wouldn’t do anything she didn’t want to do, but I couldn’t have written the book without her. In the end, I had to name the book after her.

With Ari Goes To War, I’ve a real soft spot for Keshia. She’s a new character to the series and I hope readers like her. Again, this time it was sort of the other way around. As war waged across the wasteland, I had Ari taking refuge in the town of Bo - a sort of wasteland Casablanca, and I thought, “Who’s she going to meet?” and it was Keshia.

What are you doing to de-stress during the pandemic? Is there any coping mechanism you’d recommend (or NOT recommend)?

P.J. Sky: I feel like I’ve coped pretty well during the pandemic. Basically, I’ve written, and writing has been a wonderful way to escape into my head. I’ve also taken up yoga and long walks.

What do you like to do other than read or write? Do you have any interesting hobbies?

P.J. Sky: I play piano slightly better than I play guitar, which I play slightly better than I play bass, and a lot better than I play the drums, but I do have a drum kit I can hop onto whenever I need to make a lot of noise. I’m sure the neighbors understand - I’m usually very quiet.

Alexis: I’m a musician, too. I mostly play violin and viola, but I’ve also recently learned ukulele and a little guitar. I do think that music’s a great way to relax and it’s so fun.

Cover of Ari Goes to War by P.J. Sky!

What TV shows/Movies do you like to watch or stream? 

P.J. Sky: I think I’m a lifetime Buffy fan. But recently I’ve been enjoying Stranger Things, The Boys, The Chilling Tales of Sabrina, and the new season of Star Trek Discovery. I also loved The Mandalorian.

Alexis: Haha, I love all those shows too! Right now, I’ve been enjoying WandaVision as well.

What advice do you have for other writers or people just getting started in writing?

P.J. Sky: Do it because you love writing and let the writing be its own reward. Never stop learning. And learn to love editing, don’t assume you can leave it to someone else. But also, don’t assume you can do it all yourself. And remember, a first draft is only ever the stepping stone to the second.

How do you choose what books you want to read?

P.J. Sky: I tend to read a wide variety of genres. I think it’s important for a writer to read beyond their genre - a good book is a good book whatever the genre. My bookcase is literally all over the place.

What technology or innovations or scientific discoveries have inspired your work?

P.J. Sky: When I developed A Girl Called Ari I had this idea - that science fiction stories are full of technology and innovations, but what if I treated the human experience in the same way? So in my novels there are no technological innovations, or at least not many, but instead there’s a real focus on the human experience. Maybe this means the book isn’t really science fiction? But I feel like I’ve approached it in a science fiction way.

More About P.J. Sky:

Books: A Girl Called Ari and Ari Goes to War

Social Media: Goodreads and Twitter

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Interview with Speculative Fiction Writer Brad Kelly

My next interview is with speculative fiction writer Brad Kelly, the author of House of Sleep!

Tell us about yourself! What would you like readers to know about you?

Brad Kelly: I am a writer of primarily speculative fiction. I have written two novels and am midway through my third, as well as a host of short stories. I am a former Michener Fellow but tend to write outside of the MFA style and paradigm. I’m not sure they knew what to do with me while I was there. If you’re into speculative weirdness with a more literary aesthetic, my work might be for you. 

What book or books have most influenced you as a writer?

Brad Kelly: Blood Meridian and other works by Cormac McCarthy, a Canticle for Lebowitz and Riddley Walker. Tree of Smoke by Denis Johnson, William S. Burroughs’ “Cities of the Red Night” trilogy, Stephen King was huge for me as a kid—the Stand, It, Dark Tower, etc. Kafka, for sure. Borges was a genius on multiple levels and any speculative writer would benefit from perusing his short work. The figure of Philip K. Dick is ever-present in my mind, and the books in his VALIS phase serve as some kind of proof to me about how far-out a writer can go and still resonate with people. He has a a tremendous body of work that any writer should delve into. I read Dune every few years and while its influence on my writing is limited, it has been enormously important to how I think about life. 

What are some tropes of fiction in your genre that you love/hate? Why?

Brad Kelly: I’ve struggled to understand exactly what genre I’m writing in. I have an immense love for science fiction, and yet what has always prevented me from going full-steam in that direction (and working in, say, space opera) is that even the best sci-fi tends to believe that reality, at its core, is rational or can be rationally explained. I’ve had experiences that suggest to me that there is something far more mysterious at the heart of things. So, I write speculatively and edge into what might be called “weird fiction” like, say, Jeff Vandermeer. I don’t want things explained. There’s more depth and intrigue to me when “important” phenomena aren’t totally legible—I mean, I struggle to understand daily life half the time, so why should my characters be able to explain, for instance, a chthonic time demon or a hole through the fabric of reality. 

I am solidifying in a sort of sub-genre that I’m calling “psy-fi”--psy for psyche, psychological, maybe psychedelic. The way that science fiction tends to play these wonderful “what if” games with scientific or technological concepts, I like to play that with matters related to how the mind works: time, dreams, language. What I love about writing in this sort of niche is the combination of freedom and limitation—no idea is off the table, exactly, but you still have to keep to the rules of the world you’re creating. I think limitation is where real creativity emerges.

Alexis: Interesting! I love writing that sort of challenges the way we perceive reality. There’s something very philosophical about it.

The cover of House of Sleep by Brad Kelly

Who is your favorite character in your book? What do you like about them? (or, which character do you hate most and why)

Brad Kelly: My favorite character to write—though not my favorite person—is a guy who goes by the Diving Man. He’s the founder of the House of Sleep, an enigmatic guru figure with an adventurous and implausible past. Parts Willy Wonka and Timothy Leary and even a little bit of Judge Holden from “Blood Meridian,” he is obsessed with saving the soul of humanity and his means for getting there are. . . let’s say questionable. He came to me first in a dream and his style of speech and worldview seemed to pop out fully formed—which is very unusual for me and my process. I think he’s incredibly dangerous, and I think he’s also fascinating. I hope that readers enjoy reading him as much as I enjoyed getting him on the page. 

What are you doing to de-stress during the pandemic? Is there any coping mechanism you’d recommend (or NOT recommend)?

Brad Kelly: My day job is considered essential, so a lot of my life is the same as before the pandemic. I’m trying to keep up the workout routine which is critical for sanity. So. . . if I’d recommend anything, I guess it’s squats. I wouldn’t recommend drinking too much. Though, I guess I also wouldn’t recommend not drinking at all. 

Alexis: Yes, I do find exercise very helpful. I’m a huge fan of long walks and bike rides, myself.

What do you like to do other than read or write? Do you have any interesting hobbies?

Brad Kelly: I am a student of the tarot to a degree. I read cards for others (not so much since Covid) and explore the symbology for myself. I read every Tarot book I can get my hands on. As a writer, I find it an indispensable system. Each card, and the way they’re networked together, is a rich reservoir of symbols. The act of reading them for another person is a kind of writing, in that you’re trying to thread all these images together into a cohesive narrative that “works” for the person. I don’t invest too much mysticism into it. . .I basically think they operate like any other kind of art. But, tarot is amazing. I think every writer should spend some time trying to understand the cards. 

Alexis: I think tarot is fascinating for the archetypes and psychology behind it, as well as the strangely compelling stories the cards tell. Each one is like a little bit of micro-fiction. If you like tarot, you should watch HBO’s Carnivale, a show that really uses tarot in a fascinating way, both in its opening and as a means of story telling.

What TV shows/Movies do you like to watch or stream? 

Brad Kelly: I was somewhat obsessed with the first few seasons of Fargo. I go through Twilight Zone phases where I will watch a streak of episodes. Movies are difficult to find time for lately, but I’m a huge fan of Denis Villeneuve. . . I think he’s the best thing that’s happened to sci-fi cinema since the original Blade Runner and I’m giddy about seeing his version of Dune when it comes out.  

What’s your favorite animal?

Brad Kelly: Owls. Easy. I write with about twelve tchotke owls sitting watch over me. They are symbols of wisdom, of seeing in the dark, of silence. I find a lot of solace in them and seeing them in nature is a rare treat. Such unusual and beautiful creatures. 

Alexis: I love owls! I actually have an owl box in my front yard, though no owls live in it yet. I got it one of the people in my neighborhood had one, and in the evenings I’d walk by and see their little owl (a Western screech) peeking its head out of the hole.

I also have a strange owl story. Once on a late night drive down in South Texas, my husband and I saw one of the largest owls I’ve ever seen, just standing in the middle of the road. That area is known for its Great Horned Owls, but this owl looked larger than any Great Horned Owl on record. There are lots of stories of Lechuza in that area, and I wonder if the eerily giants owls are the inspiration.

Do you have pet(s)? If so, share a picture of your pet!

Brad Kelly: This is Lucy. She is ridiculous.

Brad Kelly and his dog, Lucy

What advice do you have for other writers or people just getting started in writing?

Brad Kelly: There’s an old adage about finding your voice, which I think is important and yet mysterious. Beyond that, I would only say a couple of things. One is that you have to focus on the craft at every level: sentence, paragraph, scene, chapter, book. The other is work hard but do not rush. Revise, revise. I come across a lot of writing that has something wonderful at its core but is clearly a second draft—we live in an impatient era and writing is a patient—extremely patient—game. 

How do you choose what books you want to read?

Brad Kelly: I wonder this myself. It feels like there is a through-line to what I’m picking, but I can’t seem to figure out what it is. Some of it is research (reading a lot about tunnels and underground spaces right now) but most of it is following my whimsy. I suppose what attracts me is works that seem to have an avid fanbase but that are not otherwise well-known or celebrated. Titles and covers, too. We’re not supposed to judge by them, but how can you not. For instance. . . I bought a book by Anna Kavan called “Machines in the Head” last year. I didn’t know anything about it, I just thought the title was compelling and totally original. And it turns out the book is both of those things. If a book has interested me, I usually try to read a page from somewhere deep in and see if it resonates. This strategy has never failed me.

More About Brad Kelly

Website: https://www.bradkellyesque.com/

Book: House of Sleep

Social Media: Twitter

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Interview with Science Fiction and Fantasy Writer Mark Rice

My next author interview is with Mark Rice, author of The Cabin Incident and Heathen Howff, a collection of Scottish stories inspired by Aesop’s Fables, but for adults.

What book or books have most influenced you as a writer?

Mark Rice: The big one was The Hitch-Hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams.  I first read it when I was ten.  It was the book that made me think, ‘I want to do that.’  The book that made me want to infuse my writing with humour was another I read as a kid – Wee MacGreegor by JJ Bell, one of the funniest books ever written, and very Scottish.  The dialogue in that is pure gold.  As a teen I mostly read sprawling fantasy novels by the likes of Robert E. Vardeman, Victor Milan, JRR Tolkien, Piers Anthony, Raymond E. Feist…that sort of epic stuff. The books that have most influenced me as a grown-up are The Satanic Verses by Salman Rushdie, The Testament of Gideon Mack by James Robertson, The Book Thief by Markus Zusak, the entire literary output of Kurt Vonnegut, and – just recently – Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell.

Alexis: Wow, it’s cool that you read so widely, from humor to epic fantasy to some very intense and thoughtful modern works. I remember finding The Satanic Verses such an incredible and powerful book, and I still love The Hitch-Hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.

Who is your favorite character in your book? What do you like about them?

Mark Rice: My favourite characters are usually the non-human ones (the same is true in life). In Metallic Dreams my favourite characters are a rabbit named Fluff and a little girl called Sunshower, partly because those characters have innocence that the others, to some degree or other, have lost (or never had in the first place).  Sunshower was a gift from the literary gods.  Most characters in fiction are either based on real people or they’re cobbled together Frankenstein’s monsters featuring a trait here and an idiosyncrasy there.  Sunshower wasn’t like that.  She fell out of the sky, fully formed, and landed in my mind ready to live her story.  I could see her more vividly than I see people in real life.  As I said, a gift from the literary gods.  The same thing happened with the character Tam the Bammus in my short(ish) story Revelation Was Wrong.  Tam stomped into my mind, fully formed, grumpy and ready to tell his tale.  I didn’t even have to put effort into that story – it told itself.  I just acted as a conduit.  Other characters I really enjoyed writing (and still enjoy writing in the sequel) are DT, Pete, Paul, Oz, Iain, Archibald, Brian, Ted and Manie in Metallic Dreams.  They’re based on friends I’ve known and loved since childhood, which makes them extremely easy to write: I know exactly how each one would act in any given situation.  And the Devil was/is fun to write.  Worryingly easy too.

What do you like to do other than read or write? Do you have any interesting hobbies?

Mark Rice: I’m obsessed with 3D digital modelling.  I first got into it nine years ago when I created the cover for my story Revelation Was Wrong.  This year I created the cover for my bear-heavy story The Cabin Incident using the same 3D modelling software.  In addition to those book covers, I’ve done hundreds of high-resolution 3D renders, some as possible future book covers, but most of them just for fun and creative satisfaction.  It’s a whole other Universe which I find immersive and fascinating, and I learn more about it every day.  Most book covers are formulaic.  I approach cover art in a different way.  I grew up buying vinyl records and marveling at their cover artwork.  This has led me to view book-cover design in that way – why use a generic cover when you can create original art that stops people in their tracks?  In that sense, my book covers are more like album covers.

Music’s a big pastime – listening to it and making it (if cranking out loud riffage on electric guitars counts as making music).  I grew up in a house that had no television, but it had an abundance of music, musical instruments, books and animals.  That sums up how I became what I am.

Exercise is important to me.  I swam competitively from ages 7-22, so the habit of hard daily exercise was set then.  When I donned my wetsuit recently and plunged into the sea, my wolfdog sidekick pulled me out by my flipper…twice. On the second instance he ripped off my right flipper with his teeth, ran half a mile up the beach with it and buried it in the sand.  He obviously figured I was an idiot who didn’t realize that the sea is dangerous.  After hinting at it once (and me not getting the message), he felt that more drastic action was necessary to prevent said idiot from making a third venture into the ocean.  I ride my mountain bike through a nearby forest each day while the wolfchild runs at my side.  I enjoy lifting heavy things.  I’ve been weight training since back in my competitive swimming days.  I lift heavier these days…because there’s more of me.

Alexis: I love that your wolf dog tried to “rescue” you while you were swimming! I had a golden retriever who use to do the same thing when my sister and I went swimming. She’d grab our hair in her mouth and try to pull us back to shore! Otherwise she loved the water, though she clearly didn’t trust us in it.

Cover of The Cabin Incident by Mark Rice

Tell us about a mystery/urban legend from your hometown (or another place you’ve lived).

Mark Rice: I live on the mainland of Scotland but have spent a lot of time on the Scottish islands of Skye and Lewis in the Outer Hebrides (my dad was from Lewis, as was his mother, and so on back ad infinitum).  One of my cousins in Lewis showed me a piece of footage filmed on Skye.  In it, an English interviewer spoke to a local crofter about a supposed ghost sighting. 

The interviewer said, “I understand you saw the ghost of a woman walking down the road.  Can you tell me about it?” 

The crofter replied, “Yes.  I saw the ghost of a woman walking down the road.” 

That was it.  Not another word.  The interviewer waited and waited, expecting more, but none came.  My cousin and I were in tears laughing.  I think that’s the best ghost story ever told.  That crofter understood the beauty of brevity.

What TV shows/Movies do you like to watch or stream? 

Mark Rice: Justified, Deadwood, Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul, South Park, Game of Thrones, Shetland, Twin (Norwegian drama), Borgen (Scandi drama), The Bridge (original Scandinavian series), just about any other Finnish or Scandinavian drama noir – I love their dark ambience, and the production values/writing quality are phenomenal.  I also can’t get enough of Captain Caveman or Scooby-Doo (that’s not a recent development, I should stress).  The greatest TV show ever made, I reckon (I believe that George RR Martin nicked loads of his story ideas from it) is Chorlton and the Wheelies, ostensibly a children’s show about a kingdom under a black spell due to a Welsh witch (who lives in a kettle), until a dragon called Chorlton (a happiness dragon) blunders into the realm one day and breaks the spell, after which he inadvertently foils all the witch’s evil schemes just by being his happy, authentic self. What a powerful message that is. Even though it was intended as a children’s show, there’s a lot of adult subtext.  For example, the queen’s always grumpy because she doesn’t get enough attention from the king, who is perpetually distracted by his love for Chorlton.  So there’s a sexually frustrated queen and a gay would-be bestiality practitioner king who’s in love with a dragon.  In addition, one of the Wheelie people – a male called Zoomer – clearly has drug issues: he can’t concentrate on anything for more than a couple of seconds as he zooms around day and night, which leads me to conclude that he’s on speed and/or cocaine.  It’s all there in Wheelieworld.  And I’ll watch anything with Fran Drescher in it.  In a parallel Universe she and I met and married in the ‘90s.

What’s your favorite animal?

Mark Rice: I love all animals, from the biggest ones right down to the tiniest insects. That’s why I don’t eat them, wear them or buy any products that cause them suffering.  To pick a favourite species is an impossible task.  The four particular animals I’ve most resonated with are a white rabbit who lived with me for her whole life, starting when she was a baby small enough to fit on my palm (the rabbit in Metallic Dreams was based on her), the aforementioned wolfdog who is my training partner/sidekick, a female camel I met in the desert while living with Bedouins (she and I fell in love at first sight), and an octopus I made friends with while scuba diving off the coast of Cyprus (he rested his head on my left hand and wrapped his tentacles around my left arm while I stroked his head with my free hand and we looked into each other’s eyes, really saw each other; when the oxygen in my tank ran out and I had to reluctantly surface, the octopus didn’t willingly let me go – I had to (again reluctantly) prise his suckers off my arm; they left circular marks that remained there for hours; I hoped they’d never fade, as they were reminders of a transcendent experience; the sentience I saw in that creature was unique and unlike anything I’ve experienced on dry land).  I have an affinity for horses, bears and elephants too.  And pigs.  Mustn’t forget the pigs.  And sheep.  And goats.  I could go on all day…

Alexis: That’s an amazing story about the octopus—they’re fascinating creatures, and supposed to be incredibly intelligent.

Do you like playing video games? What’s your favorite game right now? Has a video game ever influenced you as a writer?

Mark Rice: I love first-person shooters but haven’t played them much recently (only because they take up a lot of time that should be spent writing).  Back when Quake I, II and III came out, along with Half Life, Unreal and Unreal Tournament, I spent ludicrous amounts of time playing them – days and nights on end, sometimes.  Great fun, but they don’t pay the bills.  No video game has influenced my writing – its influences come more from mythology, lore, music, legend and real life.

Do you have pet(s)? If so, share a picture of your pet!

Mark Rice: I’m right-hand man to a wolfdog, but he’s no pet – very much a wild animal.  A force of nature.  Our current daily training session is 34 miles through a forest – I ride my mountain bike, he runs.  We also play-fight a lot.  The mutual trust is absolute.  He bites me hard enough to get a reaction but not hard enough to cause major injury.  My arms have a lot of bite marks but those are love bites, really.  If he wanted to cause real damage he could do so with ease.  He bites through large frozen branches as though they were overcooked spaghetti, so a human ankle, wrist or neck would be nothing by comparison.

What advice do you have for other writers or people just getting started in writing?

Mark Rice: Write every day, even when you don’t feel like it.  Sometimes that’s when the best stuff comes out.  Other times it acts as exactly the therapy you need.  If you feel inspired, write.  If you don’t feel inspired, write.  If you feel good, write.  If you feel terrible, write.  Just write.  No excuses.  This means learning to say “no” to people, to put your solitary time and your writing before the dramas and nonsense of others.  But that’s what you have to do.

How do you choose what books you want to read?

Mark Rice: I prefer books that are innovative, clever, funny, groundbreaking or all of the above.  If they feature mythology or folklore, whether established or new, even better.  I also read a lot of autobiographies by musical artists/bands I like.

Do you like Greek/Roman/Norse/Asian/African mythology or folklore? What’s your favorite myth?

Mark Rice: I love folklore and mythology.  When I was a kid my father had a HUGE book of mythology – the sort of book that would collapse most coffee tables.  It was split into chapters by world region.  That book’s now on my (reinforced) bookshelf.  I’ve bought a lot of Scandinavian, Finno-Ugric and Celtic lore/mythology.  They resonate more with me than most other mythologies do.  Perhaps that’s because my ancestry is Norse and Celtic.  Maybe on some deep genetic level those tales are already known in me, so reading them feels like going home.  One favourite story, Celtic in origin, tells of Oisín’s journey to Tír na nÓg, the Land of the Young. I won’t tell any more about that – wouldn’t want to give away spoilers!  Also, the story of Cúchulainn is captivating.  My favourite character from folklore/mythology is, by a country mile, Cernunnos the Horned God.  A bronze Cernunnos adorns the wall of my music room.  A poem I wrote called Cernunnos tickled the fancy of my favourite metal band, so much so that it led to a collaboration.  The band created sublime music to go with my lyric/vocal.  It’s not released yet, but I have a copy of the original recordings and they sound amazing. Best guitar tone ever.  It’s an honour to be part of that project.

Mark and a friendly camel!

More about Mark Rice!

Books: Metallic Dreams, The Cabin Incident, and Cometh the Hour, Cometh the Eejit

Social Media: Twitter, Goodreads, Wordpress, and Facebook

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