Interview with Marcus Riddle
Published 2013-11-23.
What are you working on next?
I'm actually working on an entire series called The Observer Chronicles. I have finished writing all of the first drafts for it; except the one I am currently writing.
There is six main stories all together.
I have all of next year to edit. Because book 2 and 3 is coming out together in one nicely packaged e-book near Christmas 2014.
Who are your favorite authors?
J. R. R. Tolkien, Oscar Wilde, Joanne Harris, Roald Dahl, C. S. Lewis, Anne Rice. There is too many really, but they are the main ones I always go back to.
What inspires you to get out of bed each day?
I've already semi answered this question, but if I'm truly honest--losing myself in my own creativity, escaping this world.
When you're not writing, how do you spend your time?
I am a neat freak, so I do a lot of cleaning, play and walk with my beagle, read, sometimes play some computer games, and watch films. Drinking, on occasions.
How do you discover the ebooks you read?
I just take a risk, like any other person out there. I get a bit of a gut feeling when I read a description more than looking at book covers, they are just a plus.
Do you remember the first story you ever wrote?
Yes, and it was god dam awful. The first thing I done, as soon as I wrote it when I was 13, was deleted it--all. I really regretted it, of course. It's funny, because that's how this series started out. I couldn't get the story or characters out of my head until I finally decided to take another stab at it. This book is one of the stories in the series I am working on at the minute too.
What is your writing process?
I believe the organic approach. I've tried planning rigorously, and it feels really forced and fake when I was writing. So I have some topics to research before I start writing, when I have enough info to go on, I do. I research as I go, because I have quite a bad memory sometimes. As I write I will discover key plot points I put down as bullet points all over the place to help me. I find it is more natural for the characters and story; as the story makes up its own mind. Writers will understand when I say this: Stories are alive. And life hardly ever goes according to plan. So I work with that.
Do you remember the first story you ever read, and the impact it had on you?
The first real story I read from cover to cover was 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne. It's a strange choice because I was later reader, but I learned a great deal from Verne's work in just one reading.
How do you approach cover design?
I am quite bad at it myself. I usually outsource my designs and ideas. As I write my stories, there is always some image that sums up what goes on all of a sudden part of the way through. So I describe that to the illustrator and we go from there.
Do you believe creativity is important?
It is massively important. Not only is it good for the soul, but the entertainment industry is one of the biggest industries out there; and rakes in millions. If you are lucky enough to merge the two together, you have hit a jackpot. I am hoping for such a day myself.
What do you read for pleasure?
I love reading non-fiction books on philosophy amongst other random topics, fiction books on magic realism, supernatural, fantasy; that kind of stuff.
What is your e-reading device of choice?
I am a Kindle Fire owner. I love reading comics as much as literature. I think it's a great medium I would one day love to break into too.
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