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Today's Author Spotlight is author L.N. Mayer!Read on for the full interview.
Publication date: September 30th, 2021
The sequel to TELL, OR THE ADVENTURES IN THEMIDDLE.
Some want Tell dead, others want to exploit him. Most want him to go away and never return. Can Tell claim what is rightfully his in order to abolish the decree that made him an outcast in the first place? Or will his quest for power be his own undoing? This time, it will take more than just another adventure. It will take resolution, willpower, and mastering the one thing Tell has yet to conquer... his imagination.
What's your latest release?
Yves, or the Man Who Wasn't (the sequel to Tell, or the Adventures in Themiddle)
Can you start out by telling us a little about your latest work?
My latest work is the sequel to Tell, or the Adventures in Themiddle. It's called Yves, or the Man Who Wasn't. If I had to describe the series in five words: "Strength of will meets imagination."
Where did you get the inspiration to write this story?
SPOILER ALERT :) When I was a senior in college, I scribbled the beginning of an idea about a boy trying to make sense of a nonsensical world in the margins of one of my economics textbooks. It was only a few years later as I kept chipping away at the story that I had the idea to write the arc of a would-be villain over the course of three books. The premise: What would be the trials and tribulations of a 12-year-old boy who could manifest anything he imagined, without knowing he had such a power? My drive to finish the story is because I care deeply about the underlying message: Each of us possesses the power to manifest the things we imagine.
When you developed the characters, did you already know who they were before you began writing or did they develop organically?
I developed them ahead of time through character development exercises.
Which of your characters was your favorite to write and why?
One of my favorite characters to write was a double-bodied character named Weekend & Weekday. Simply put, he's a man with two bodies. He was fun to write because his internal conflict and self-doubt manifests as a running conversation he has with himself. I also liked his character because he's someone who always wants to do the right thing despite his inner turmoil.
What was more important to you when you were writing: character development or plot?
Both!
What was one of the most surprising things you learned (about your story, about yourself, etc.) while writing?
Ooh, I like this question! The thing I've learned over the past few years is that if you have absolutely no motivation to sit down and work on your writing, there's a 99.9% chance that once you force yourself to sit down, you'll actually work on your writing.
In your opinion what makes a good story?
The unexpected ;)
How did publishing your first book change your process of writing?
I started taking more care to map out my chapter plot structures. I highly recommend this method because it forces you to clear up your ideas. The exercise is simple: 1) Write down what happens in the chapter, then 2) Explain why it happens (how the chapter is contributing to the overall plot).
Do you read your book reviews? What do you consider "good" /"bad"?
Not all the time. For me, a bad review would be one that I feel misses the crux of the story. Unfortunately this is just sometimes the reality!
Do you have any writing superstitions?
I do believe that my most creative writing is late at night... I also am becoming increasingly convinced that good song-writing only happens if you sit down and write song lyrics on one take!
What attracted you to the genre(s) you write in?
I wasn't attracted to the genre so much as I wanted to write a specific story and had to pick a genre. In the case of Tell, or the Adventures in Themiddle (and the sequel), the book is classified as coming-of-age action adventure for upper middle grade and young adult.
What are you currently reading?
On the Shortness of Life by Seneca
A lot of authors have a soundtrack while writing. Are there are songs you had on repeat?
I admire those who can listen to music while writing!
If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be?
Seek out life experiences--those will make for some of the best stories :)
What are a couple of your favorite movies to kick back with to relax?
Because I'm currently writing for an upper middle grade audience, I'll say The Neverending Story, The Princess Bride, Muppet Christmas Carol, The Labyrinth--all of these movies had a profound impact on me when I was younger. I was completely smitten with the characters and the world-building. The last film I saw that I loved was the latest Dune film with Timothée Chalamet. The soundscape and the images were amazing!
Which animal would you say is your spirit animal and why?
My English cocker spaniel, Oslo
Would you rather live in a haunted mansion or a cottage surrounded by fairytale creatures?
Cottage surrounded by fairytale creatures, of course!
What is something about the genre that annoys you?
That readers are often conditioned to expect a certain type of format within the fantasy genre.
What would you say is your most interesting writing quirk?
Again, you have such great questions! I have a silly way of rewarding myself after typing up my hand-written notes on my laptop. To feel like I've accomplished something, I stamp my notes with a date stamp that includes the French word 'SAISI' (the equivalent meaning in English would be something like "logged"). It is so silly... but so effective :)
Are you on social media and can your readers interact with you? What are your links?
Yes! Via Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, you can find me at @lnmayerofficial
Do you have a favorite line that you've written? What is it and why do you like it?
"Sensitive sense how senselessness stows lessons sense can borrow." I like it for so many different reasons, primarily because logical explanations are not the answer to everything ;) It's also a reminder to loosen up a bit and to not take oneself so seriously.
What advice would you like to pass on to aspiring writers that is unconventional but true?
Don't wait for someone to label you a writer. Give yourself permission to call yourself one.
Do you have a WIP? If so, can you tell us anything about it?
Yes, it's the third and final book in the Tell Trilogy. I'll tell you that one of my favorite characters in the series makes her debut in Book 3...
