1. Before writing what do you spend the most time on, world
building, character development or plot?
*Grins* Actually, before
writing a given book, I'm probably writing something else entirely. I get
ideas, let them sit and ripen while I read or work on something else.
When an idea grows into a
monster taking up all my thoughts, I open my notebook, grab my fountain pen,
and get drafting.
The Vanished Knight is
the first book I finished, so I got the idea while deluded with the idea that I
could plan it out. I couldn't. In the end, world building, characterization and
some of the plot happened while I was rough drafting.
I refined everything when
I rewrote the whole thing for computer.
One thing I do prepare ahead of time is a
playlist. Using the feelings and bits of characterization I have, I put
together a playlist that reflects the sense I'm going for in the
story.
2. Music is a must for me as well and I know all about the ideas
building while writing. What are some things you like to keep around you when
you are writing that help you stay in the seat?
When I'm drafting, I need
three things: The notebook devoted to the story. The fountain pen (which I'm
now starting to think I should name). And the playlist. The moment I have the
music on, the book open and the pen poised, I'm locked in and ready to
go.
So much so that I usually
set an alarm before I start, if I know I have to go do something else.
3.I agree it needs a name, maybe Excalibur. If you were a character in your story who
would you be?
Probably Gawain. I know,
weird that I'm picking a guy. But he's the one I'm least mean to. And even
saying that, I know there's stuff about him that's seriously messed up.
Unlike Callan, though, he
doesn't have an evil entity destroying his life. And unlike Darrion, he doesn't
need to fight for every scrap of achievement he can get. I'm not even going to
mention James and Ward's issues.
4.Lol, well in misery we find our story. What are some things you can tell us about
your book?
Mmm.... Okay... Guys,
lots of badassery. Girls... Darrion and Gawain.
Read the book to see what
I mean. :-P
5. I will definitely do so. Sometimes when I write I have types
of scenes that come easier to me than others. What are your favorite types of
scenes to write?
Funny enough, it's the
scenes where Darrion and Callan argue. Actually where Darrion argues with
anyone. He has this f-you attitude towards most people around him, so it's fun
to a) go at someone with no holds barred or b) to see him struggling to hold
back when he knows he should but really doesn't want to.
James has something
similar, and by the rewrite, his voice was loud and clear, which made him easy
to write. But something about Darrion's particular brand of verbal skill and
dry, sharp wit makes him a landslide winner in the best argument stakes.
6.I agree with you there something about getting to let go on
someone is fun to write. What first made
you want to be an author?
Writing The Vanished Knight did. Before, it was just about
getting stories down that I liked. But with TVK, I knew I had something
special, so I knew I wanted to publish.
7. That is great the story pushed you. What does the future hold
for you?
Hopefully the rest of the
series published, twenty plus other projects completed. And who knows? War of Six Crowns, the TV Series knocking Game of Thrones from its perch. Who says a girl
can't dream. ;-)
Nothing wrong with
that at all. Thanks for answering my questions it was a lot of fun learning
about you and your story.
Here is a blurb of the book:
Since
the death of her parents, Callan Blair has been shunted from one foster family
to another, her dangerous secret forcing the move each time. Her latest foster
family quickly ships her off to an exclusive boarding school in the Cumbrian
countryside. While her foster-brother James makes it his mission to get Callan
expelled, a nearby ancient castle holds the secret doorway to another land...
When
Callan is forced through the doorway, she finds herself in the magical
continent of Tardith, where she’s shocked to learn her schoolmates Gawain and
Darrion are respected soldiers in service to the king of Nordaine, one of
Tardith's realms. More than that, the two are potential heirs to the Black
Knight—Nordaine's crown prince.
But when
the Black Knight fails to return from a mysterious trip, the realm teeters on
the brink of war. Darrion and Gawain set out to find him, while Callan
discovers there is more to her family history than she thought. The elves are
claiming she is their princess.
Now with
Darrion growing ever more antagonistic and her friendship with Gawain
blossoming, Callan must decide whether to stay in Nordaine—where her secret
grows ever more threatening—or go to the elves and uncover the truth about her
family before war sets the realms afire.
Author Bio:
M. Gerrick (AKA Misha Gericke) has basically created stories
since before she could write. Many of those stories grew up with her and can be
seen in her current projects.
She lives close to Cape Town,
with a view over False Bay and Table Mountain.
If
you’d like to contact her, feel free to mail her
at warofsixcrowns(AT)gmail(
Here are some places you can find the book, go support it.
I like a character with a whole lot of attitude! They are easy to frustrate.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, Misha!
Lol Alex I'm the same. There's something delicious about seeing Darrion at the end of his patience. ^_^
ReplyDeleteThanks again for hosting me, Brandon!
I may have to try the music playlist. I am reading about more and more authors who find it to be inspiring. Hmmmm.
ReplyDeleteI love those scenes that practically write themselves. I wonder what it is about human nature that enjoys a good argument? ::food for thought::
I definitely find that playlists put me into the writing mood. In fact, some songs put me in the mood no matter where they're played, or who's playing them. :-)
DeleteWonderful interview! I love it when a character's voice is powerful in a story!
ReplyDeleteThanks Tyrean! I love writing stories when the character's voice is strong. :-)
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