It gives me great pleasure to welcome M. J. Mallon onto the website today. Marjorie is primarily a YA fantasy author, but she also pens poetry.
Alex: Tell us a bit about yourself, Marjorie.
Marjorie: I live in Cambridge, England with my hubby David. My daughters live in the UK in Manchester and Edinburgh. I had the fortune of spending a lot of my childhood and early years abroad. My father was an accountant with an insatiable appetite for adventure. His wanderlust took him to the Middle East and to exotic countries such as Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Singapore, and Malaysia, where he met and proposed to my mum.
Alex: How would you describe your writing, and are there particular themes that you like to explore?
Marjorie: Often dark but sometimes light, always magical. I like to explore themes such as time, vulnerability, light and dark, family relationships and the capacity to change and grow.
Alex: Are you a writer that plans a detailed synopsis or do you set out with a vague idea and let the story unfold as you write?
Marjorie: I don’t believe in planning too much. I’m more of an unfold and kind of see author. Often, I wake up with a burst of imaginative ideas which I jot down in a notepad or type up on my laptop.
Alex: Tell us a bit about yourself, Marjorie.
Marjorie: I live in Cambridge, England with my hubby David. My daughters live in the UK in Manchester and Edinburgh. I had the fortune of spending a lot of my childhood and early years abroad. My father was an accountant with an insatiable appetite for adventure. His wanderlust took him to the Middle East and to exotic countries such as Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Singapore, and Malaysia, where he met and proposed to my mum.
Alex: How would you describe your writing, and are there particular themes that you like to explore?
Marjorie: Often dark but sometimes light, always magical. I like to explore themes such as time, vulnerability, light and dark, family relationships and the capacity to change and grow.
Alex: Are you a writer that plans a detailed synopsis or do you set out with a vague idea and let the story unfold as you write?
Marjorie: I don’t believe in planning too much. I’m more of an unfold and kind of see author. Often, I wake up with a burst of imaginative ideas which I jot down in a notepad or type up on my laptop.
Alex: Tell us about your latest novel.
Marjorie: My latest release is a re-release of my YA Fantasy novel, Bloodstone The Curse of Time #1 which Next Chapter Publishing has republished. It’s an imaginative novel inspired by two amazing sculptural art pieces: the Corpus Christi Chronophage clock on King’s Parade in Cambridge and Anya Gallaccio’s magnificent crystal grotto which I saw in Juniper Artland, Wilkieston, Scotland. These two magnificent pieces culminated in a multitude of ideas and opposing themes of light and dark, good and evil.
Alex: What was the first book you read?
Marjorie: Oh, as a kid I loved Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren, comic books like Tintin, Asterix, Oor Wullie, and The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, C. S. Lewis.
Alex: How much research do you do and what does it usually entail?
Marjorie: For The Curse of Time I researched the properties of various crystals, ghosts of Cambridge, myths and some historical buildings that I mentioned in the book. I wouldn’t say that my writing is heavily research based. I just do what is necessary and research via the internet or books that I find useful.
Alex: Do you ever base your characters on people you have encountered in real life?
Marjorie: I wonder… perhaps facets of people I have met. Certainly, two twin brothers I saw in a café - though I didn’t meet them in person - became the focal point for Mr. Sagittarius. And people I see in passing inspire some of my poetry and short stories. Particularly if they behave oddly or look different!
Alex: Which was the last book you read that blew you away?
Marjorie: I’d say that Jay Kristoff’s writing hits the wow spot! He writes with such wit, passion and excitement. He is my favourite YA author, I love his epic fantasy series The Nevernight Chronicles.
Alex: How do you market your books?
Marjorie: With each new release I have a book tour either with authors I know or a blog tour company. I am considering this at the moment for Bloodstone. And I’m looking closely at what other authors in Next Chapter do! Yes, poaching ideas, I’m cheeky that way! Next Chapter will organise book bub/Facebook ads for me. Also, Bloodstone will publish in audible and in multiple formats, which will hopefully help sell more copies. There are other possibilities I’m investigating https://allauthor.com/, review sites such as netgalley and readers’ favourite - that sort of thing.
Alex: What are your interests aside from writing? And what do you do to unwind?
Marjorie: I love to walk in nature, take photographs, people spot, eavesdrop! Also, I enjoy swimming, yoga and tai chi. I’m a sociable soul who likes to meet up with friends. I love art, museums, festivals, drama, and eating out. I love my food, especially spicy!
Alex: Which authors do you particularly admire and why?
Marjorie: There are so many authors I admire. In terms of bestselling authors, I’d say Jay Kristoff. I love how he takes the time to chat and engage with his fans. And in my community I’d mention Lizzie Chantree, Ritu Bhathal, Helen Pryke, Colleen Chesebro, Sally Cronin, D G Kaye, James Cudney and Didi Oviatt, Richard Dee, Adele Marie Park, Charli Mills, Darlene Foster, D. Wallace Peach, Sarah Northwood and my fabulous editor Heena Rathore Pardeshi and many more too many to mention.
Alex: Thank you so much for sharing your writing journey with us, Marjorie, and best of luck with your future projects.
Marjorie: Thank you, Alex. Lovely to chat.
Marjorie: My latest release is a re-release of my YA Fantasy novel, Bloodstone The Curse of Time #1 which Next Chapter Publishing has republished. It’s an imaginative novel inspired by two amazing sculptural art pieces: the Corpus Christi Chronophage clock on King’s Parade in Cambridge and Anya Gallaccio’s magnificent crystal grotto which I saw in Juniper Artland, Wilkieston, Scotland. These two magnificent pieces culminated in a multitude of ideas and opposing themes of light and dark, good and evil.
Alex: What was the first book you read?
Marjorie: Oh, as a kid I loved Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren, comic books like Tintin, Asterix, Oor Wullie, and The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, C. S. Lewis.
Alex: How much research do you do and what does it usually entail?
Marjorie: For The Curse of Time I researched the properties of various crystals, ghosts of Cambridge, myths and some historical buildings that I mentioned in the book. I wouldn’t say that my writing is heavily research based. I just do what is necessary and research via the internet or books that I find useful.
Alex: Do you ever base your characters on people you have encountered in real life?
Marjorie: I wonder… perhaps facets of people I have met. Certainly, two twin brothers I saw in a café - though I didn’t meet them in person - became the focal point for Mr. Sagittarius. And people I see in passing inspire some of my poetry and short stories. Particularly if they behave oddly or look different!
Alex: Which was the last book you read that blew you away?
Marjorie: I’d say that Jay Kristoff’s writing hits the wow spot! He writes with such wit, passion and excitement. He is my favourite YA author, I love his epic fantasy series The Nevernight Chronicles.
Alex: How do you market your books?
Marjorie: With each new release I have a book tour either with authors I know or a blog tour company. I am considering this at the moment for Bloodstone. And I’m looking closely at what other authors in Next Chapter do! Yes, poaching ideas, I’m cheeky that way! Next Chapter will organise book bub/Facebook ads for me. Also, Bloodstone will publish in audible and in multiple formats, which will hopefully help sell more copies. There are other possibilities I’m investigating https://allauthor.com/, review sites such as netgalley and readers’ favourite - that sort of thing.
Alex: What are your interests aside from writing? And what do you do to unwind?
Marjorie: I love to walk in nature, take photographs, people spot, eavesdrop! Also, I enjoy swimming, yoga and tai chi. I’m a sociable soul who likes to meet up with friends. I love art, museums, festivals, drama, and eating out. I love my food, especially spicy!
Alex: Which authors do you particularly admire and why?
Marjorie: There are so many authors I admire. In terms of bestselling authors, I’d say Jay Kristoff. I love how he takes the time to chat and engage with his fans. And in my community I’d mention Lizzie Chantree, Ritu Bhathal, Helen Pryke, Colleen Chesebro, Sally Cronin, D G Kaye, James Cudney and Didi Oviatt, Richard Dee, Adele Marie Park, Charli Mills, Darlene Foster, D. Wallace Peach, Sarah Northwood and my fabulous editor Heena Rathore Pardeshi and many more too many to mention.
Alex: Thank you so much for sharing your writing journey with us, Marjorie, and best of luck with your future projects.
Marjorie: Thank you, Alex. Lovely to chat.
