Follow Friday: Interview with Shea MacLeod
On this Follow Friday, I am pleased to welcome Shea MacLeod, the Dragon Queen, to my website to talk Sunwalkers and Dragon Warriors with a few 'Oprah Winfrey' questions to round things off.
So, to start with, how much of you would you say there is in Morgan Bailey? And what would you say makes your particular slayer unique in the dark fantasy genre?
There is frighteningly a lot. Certainly in the way she thinks, the way she views the world. She's kicks a lot more ass than I do, though. Lol But she's very cathartic for me. She's a way for me to express sides of my personality that aren't exactly acceptable in polite company. As for what makes her unique … I think it's her "voice." Sure, there are plenty of snarky hunter types out there, but there's no one with quite the same 'tude as Morgan. And then there's the whole "Atlantean Princess" thing. 
What writers have given you particular inspiration over the years?
Hands down, Agatha Christie. I love her style, her stories, her characters. I aspire to be half as great as she was, and is. There are others who inspire me in different ways, but she's the queen, as far as I'm concerned.
In your books there is an whole other-verse of mythical creatures drawn from world mythology – what for you is the chief attraction of this kind of intricate world-building?
It's just pure, unadulterated fun! I use historical mythology as a springboard, but then I like to give it my own little twist. I find that my imagination works best when it has a framework to guide it. Then I can let my inner child run completely wild and unfettered.
Like Morgan, you have travelled over from Portland to London – do you feel this transition has influenced you as a writer and shaped your work in any way? I'm speaking as someone who spent time living in another country, China, away from the familiar things I grew up with so I'm curious as to whether this has had an impact on you artistically.
Oh, I'd say so, yes. I feel that living abroad opens your mind to so many different perspectives. It changes you, broadens your world view. And with that change can come some really wonderful ideas. Not to mention that the actually physical locations of your new country can really ramp up the inspiration. Much of Kissed by Fire was inspired by a trip to Hadrian's Wall with my parents. We were standing on top the wall looking out over the countryside when my dad said, "What if the dragons had a conclave at midnight on the Wall?"
The rest, as they say, is history.
Having read Indie Chicks, I know that writing for you has been as much about catharsis and finding a way through life's darkness as it has been pure escapism and entertainment – do you think the best fiction and, dare I say the L-word, literature integrates catharsis and escapism into itself?
I think so. I mean the whole point of fiction is to take people out of their lives and into the realm of entertainment. However, the very best fiction allows the person reading to relate to the characters and the story, to care about them. Life really sucks sometimes, so I think we all like to read about characters whose lives have also sucked. We just don't necessarily want to wallow in it. We want to know it gets better. Or, if it doesn't, at least we can go chop some demon's head off.
So far you have specialised in writing series over standalone – do you have any ideas for one-off books and could you see yourself writing one in the future? What to you are the drawbacks and benefits of either?
I much prefer to read series to stand-alones, so I guess that's why I naturally migrate that way in my writing. However, I do have an idea for a stand-alone or two which I'll get to one of these days.
I guess the drawback to a stand-alone is that it's only one book. And you've got to explore that whole world in just one book. There's no chance of more. I hate that as both a reader and a writer. If someone has created this amazing world, I want to play in it for awhile. I want to spend more time hanging out with the characters I've gotten to know and love. One book just isn't enough. That, of course, is the upside of a series.
But the plus side of a stand-alone is that sometimes the story that needs telling requires just one book. No more. That's the story and that's it. A really good example of that is Paulo Coelho's The Alchemist. It's a parable and the parable was revealed within one short novel. It doesn't need a sequel. In fact, a sequel would detract, I think, from what the author was trying to say. Which is the downside, of course, of a series. If it's taken past its expiration date, a series can become formulaic and stale.
Are there other genres you are interested in breaking into for the future? What's your opinion on writers jumping genres?
I think jumping genres is natural. We are not one-dimensional. We are multi-faceted. That is what makes human beings so interesting.
It used to be that people thought that Writer X only wrote in one particular genre. This was because in the traditional publishing world it was believed that if a writer switched from fantasy to mystery, the mysteries wouldn't sell and that might compromise their fantasy sales. So they put the writer in the Writer Protection Program and let them write mysteries under another name. Now we know that a lot of writers wrote multiple genres the entire time, just under different pen names.
Now I think it's more obvious. People either don't bother with pen names at all, or they make it clear they're the same person. Trying to market under multiple pen names is a nightmare, so why do it? Readers are savvy folks and they know that if a writer does both sci-fi and horror, there's a good chance that they, the reader, will like both. Or if not, they just stick with the genre they prefer.
As for me, I do have a historical novel planned (based on a true life story), and a sort of rom/com chick-lit (also based on a true story). But my heart belongs to urban fantasy/paranormal/sci-fi romance with a twist of steampunk.
Sunwalker versus Dragon Warrior – who should I place my bet on in that showdown? Or would it be a draw?
Hoo-boy! That is a tough one.
Jackson Keel is an immortal Sunwalker who is stronger and faster than any ordinary human.
Micah Caine is genetically enhanced and used to fighting dragons in hand to hand (hand to claw?) combat. He also keeps getting resurrected, thanks to the psychotic Dr. Barnes.
They're both smart. They're both tough. And they've both lived longer than they should.
I think this one is too close to call …
What's an average day in the life of Sh é a MacLeod right now?
I'd like to say it's all exotic and glamorous, but unfortunately it's more about spending the day in front of the computer banging away at the next novel. Usually in my pajamas.
Boots, socks or barefoot for dossing around the house?
Oh, I am a total barefoot kinda girl. Unfortunately, I can't really do barefoot all the time. So, in summer it's bare feet inside and flip flops or gladiator sandals outside. In winter it's socks inside (my house is freezing) and boots or Chucks outside.
So, what does 2012 hold for Sh éa MacLeod? Any last words?
2012 is going to be a busy year for me. I'm getting ready to move back to the States at the end of May while working on the next book in the Dragon Wars series, Dragon Lord (due out in March, the gods willing and the sky doesn't cave in). More apocalyptic fun with Marines, dragons, and the Resistance.
There are some interesting things planned for the Sunwalker Saga, as well, but I'm going to keep you all in suspense for now because I'm evil that way. And, I've got a brand new sci-fi series coming out later this year. Can I get a SQUEE?
In the meantime, The Eclective has a new anthology out later this month. It's our ode to St. Paddy's Day and Morgan is going to make an appearance.
2011 was an exciting year, but I've a feeling 2012 is going to knock its socks off!
Dragon Warrior
Dragon Wars Book One
A man without a past.
A woman without a future.
A world destroyed by monsters.
All that's left is hope.
In Rain Mauri's post-apocalyptic world there are no shades of gray to survival. Until she meets a Dragon Warrior and discovers nothing is as simple as it seems.
Together, Rain and the Dragon Warrior must uncover the truth behind the nightmare their world has become. Their quest will put them in the crosshairs of a ruthless enemy, but with her determination and his skill, they might just save their race from destruction. If they can save each other first.
45k words or about 180 paperback pages.
Also contains a sample chapter of Jack Wallen's I Zombie I.
Available on:
Amazon, Amazon UK, Amazon DE, and Amazon FR
KOBO
Apple
Barnes & Noble
Sony
Want to find out more about Shea? Go to the links below:
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