Seven Questions

Fellow readers, writers, and portal-jumpers! I’m Marie, and I write middle grade and YA fantasy. I’m on a quest-one of my favorite things- to bring epic adventures and stories of friendship and courage to you. Here’s a fun way to get to know me. I’ll answer a few silly questions, and if you are open, you can answer some yourself in the comment section!

If I could step through a portal right now, where would it take me?

I wanted to start with this one because one thing you will learn about me if you stick around long enough is that I’m obsessed with portals. Not to get sidetracked (too much), but I was taking pictures of things that looked like portals in the wild before I ever wrote about them. At some point, I’ll share those with you. 

To answer the question, I’d want that portal to take me somewhere I've never read or written about; somewhere brand new. I’d want my mind to be blown!

The first fantasy book that totally wrecked me (in the best way):

This one is corny, but it would have to be The Imaginary Veterinary Series by Suzanne Selfors. Not because it was the fantasy series that made me love the genre, but because it was the first series I read with my daughter when she was little. We both fell in love with it and it was our go-to when we didn’t have something else to read. I cried the first time we read this series and finished the final book. Neither of us wanted it to end, so I wrote book seven of the series (just for us)! It’s a chapter book series, but a wonderfully imaginative tale of adventure and friendship!

Since it’s my blog, I’ll be indulgent and add that the first fantasy novel I fell in love with was a vampire novel in Anne Rice’s, The Vampire Chronicles, The Queen of the Damned. Of course, I read the first two books in the series as well, but the queen was my favorite. I spent a lot of time reading vampire stories after that. 

A magical creature I’d 100% adopt:

My all time favorite magical creatures are dragons. If a book title has the word dragon in it, or a picture of a dragon on it, I will pick it up. Riding dragons? Yes! If we’re killing dragons, that’s a no for me.

My writing cave must-haves:

1. My cat, because being pestered during the writing process is helpful  

2. A window for my eyes to stare out of while the noodle works out the scene and my fingers type 

3. Sparkling water to stay hydrated

4. A typewriter-style keyboard, because I love the old school feel and sound. My first one was Querkywriter.

5. A thesaurus tab open because...you know.

6. One of the 7000 notebooks I have somewhere in my cave so I can make notes

7. Inspirational stickers to put in said notebooks

8. Several books in the series The Emotion Thesaurus because they are super helpful!

What inspired me to start writing stories:

Like any author I’ve ever met, I’ve always loved stories. I’ve kept journals for myself and would often write short stories or poems. Writing has always been a way I processed my feelings during good and difficult times, and I know from my previous life that putting thoughts on paper can be therapeutic.  

Whether wholesome or darker, I’m also a lover of whimsy, adventure, and high stakes. When I was younger, I never thought I had the talent or perseverance to write an entire novel. When I had to write a dissertation to get my PhD, and it was around 50,000 words, I realized I could write a book. So I did! It’s not yet been published (and is not my current work) but I wrote a 75,000 word novel. I also learned that, while some people are quite gifted at turning a phrase, practice and willingness to learn is what makes a person a better writer. I have the stories in me, and I want to share them.

Plotter, pantser, or something in between?

Also called a discovery writer, I’m a panster through and through. Sometimes I vaguely outline what’s coming, but find that, half the time, it changes. I become more acquainted with my characters as I write them, and that changes the way they react to a situation. I usually have a general idea of where I want to go and how I want the story to end.

My dream writing soundtrack sounds like:

A medieval tavern?

Now you!

Drop your answer in the comments—I’d love to meet some fellow readers, writers, and fantasy fans!"