Not so Secret Santa: Author/Blogger Exchange‏

 

 

Hello Amazing readers :) we get to introduce to you the fantastic author M.R. Merrick

We had the pleasure of having a little chat with him, grilling him with all of our questions.

We hope you enjoy the interview, we found it quite entertaining.

 

 

 

1.       What inspired you to become a writer? Is it something you always thought of doing?

I’ve always enjoyed writing, but I had never planned on becoming an author. In fact, I’d never really tried my hand a fiction. After a particularly rough patch in my life, I found myself needing an escape, and for some reason unbeknownst to me, I decided to disappear into someone else life for a little while. I thought I’d create something that had me dealing with someone else’s problems, in a world where I was in full control of what happened. I had had a scene in mind for a long time and I started with that, and six hours later I realized there was story there. My imagination was moving so fast I had trouble keeping up, but I wanted to. I wanted to stay with the magic I felt was happening, and so the journey to writing Exiled began.

2.       What piqued your interest in writing this genre?

Fantasy, particularly Young Adult, was something that I enjoyed reading. Fantasy has always been my favorite genre to experience. I love magic, mythology, legends, all of it. This seemed a natural place for me to work, and for me, I didn’t get into reading into very late in my life. As a youth, I never did find the right book to capture me, and I wanted to write something that could perhaps be an outlet for young readers to escapes to, much like it was for me. I had hoped to find that reader that didn’t like to read, and change their perspective on books.

3.       What can you tell new readers about yourself?

I’m a huge movie junkie and what I like to call cereal enthusiast. Cereal, to me, is good for you at any time of the day, for any meal, and always in large quantities. I love music, it’s helped me through the hardest times in my life, and writing is something I put my heart and soul into. I eat far too much candy, I’m obsessed with my oral hygiene, and can’t sleep with my feet outside of the covers.

4.       While writing your books was there something that stuck with you to help you along the way?

Music was there the entire way. I listened to it as loud as I could while I wrote, and it helped me stay focused. That was something that went hand in hand with my writing. As for what helped me stay focused? My family. The dream of being a published author and one day making a career out of it is a constant inspiration. Plus, it’s something I hope can inspire my kids one day. If you want something bad enough, and you’re willing to put the work in, you can make it happen. Even if that dream is to make things up for a living.

5.       What is your all-time favourite book or author? 

The Harry Potter series has always stuck with me. The characters, imagination, the world building, all of it. I absolutely adored the series. But in all honesty, whatever book I’m reading and enjoying in the moment seems to be my favorite.

6.       Is there anything from your books that you’d want your readers to take from reading them?

Never give up. When the only option left is taken away, and you’re left with no hope, find another path. There’s always another door open, and if not, break one down and make a trail. Never lose hope.

7.       Have you ever experienced something crazy thanks to a fan?

I don’t think I’m quite there yet. Although, I have had a few readers contact me and tell me how my stories were something that saved them during a difficult time in their life. They were an escape, or an inspiration, or something along those lines, and although I haven’t quite wrapped my mind around the idea that something I created can do that for a person, it’s inspiring to me nonetheless.

8.       What can you tell fellow newbie writers? Any advice that may be helpful?

Two things. First, never give up. And second, and equally important, no matter how long it takes, put out the best product you possibly can. If you don’t have money for an editor or a cover artist, take your time and save up, or find another way that works for you. Don’t rush your project for any reason. This is your work, a piece of your life and soul. If you’re going to share it with the world, make sure it shines. 

9.       What keeps you going as a writer?

My kids. I never want to lose that “anything can happen” belief that a child has. That hope that dreams can come true and magic does exist. I want to see things for the first time, every time, and be amazed at how complicatedly simple the world can be. And I want that magic and those details to come through in my writing.

10.   Can you tell new readers a little bit about your books and why you think people love them so much?

I think it’s different for each reader, but some of the recurring comments I’ve heard is the magic, the other dimensions, and how vivid it all becomes. I’ve been lucky enough that the imagery I’ve created has managed to suck a few people in and really help them experience the adventure in a way that’s real to them. When I’m writing, I close my eyes and lay it all out there. I paint the best picture and create the best world and characters that I possibly can, and with the help of their imaginations, magic happens. When they pick up my books, we connect and have a shared experienced, and together, we take an adventure. I feel blessed to have found a small group of readers to take that adventure with me, and hopefully they’ll be more to come!

 

About the author

M.R. Merrick is a Canadian writer, and author of Exiled, the first installment in The Protector Series. Having never traveled, he adventures to far off lands through his imagination and in between cups of coffee. As a music lover and proud breakfast enthusiast, he's usually found at the computer, between a pair of headphones and in front of a large bowl of cereal.

You can check out his books on his site, he even has the first few chapters up, plus some shorts :) they are pretty fantastic.

I just started reading his first book Exiled and I'm already loving it, very different from what I'm used to but that's what makes it so gripping!!

 

Goodreads

 

Web site

 

you can also follow him on twitter

 

Twitter

 

 

 

Chase Williams is a demon hunter in the Circle, or at least he was supposed to be. On his fifteenth birthday, Chase stepped up to the altar to claim his elemental power, but it never came. Elemental magic is passed down to a hunter through the bloodline, but on Chase's birthday, the bloodline stopped.

Exiled without the Circle's protection, Chase has spent two years trying to survive a world riddled with half-demons and magic. When he has a run in with a frightened and seemingly innocent demon, he learns the Circle's agenda has changed: the Circle plans to unlock a portal and unleash pure-blood demons into the world. Vowing to stop them, and knowing he can't do it alone, Chase forms a reluctant alliance with Rayna — a sexy witch with an attitude and a secret.

In their attempt to stop them, Chase and Rayna find themselves in the middle of the Circle's plan, leaving one of them to decide what their friendship is worth, and the other's life depending on it.

 

Buy it here:

Amazon

Kobo

Indigo

Barnes&Noble

 

 

Now time for the awesome giveaway!!! yay *jumps around*

 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway