How did you get into writing?
Lisa Mason: My mom bought me lots of great books when I was a kid. I loved reading and knew I wanted to be a writer. Stories and fantasies would pop into my head and I wrote my first book at age five. I’ve got it on my desk right now. It is 1¼ inches by 2 inches, hand-sewn, two chapters, lavishly illustrated by the author, and entitled, “Millie the Caterpillar.”
Millie is despondent at being “a fat, green, hairy, little caterpillar.” Then spring comes, she breaks out of her cocoon, and “to her surprize, she found two beautiful red and black wings on her shoulders.” Happiness! The End. I’ve thought ever since “surprise” should be spelled with a z.
So you could say I got bit by the writing bug early on, but my life has taken some twists and turns and writing hasn’t been a straight shot for me.
For readers not already familiar with your work, tell us what kind of books you write and what readers should expect from your stories?
Lisa Mason: I mostly write character-driven science fiction, urban fantasy, and contemporary or historical fantasy (as opposed to epic fantasy), but I’ve also written more mainstream works, passionate historical romantic suspense, and a screenplay or two.
My latest release, Strange Ladies: 7 Stories, is a collection of science fiction, fantasy, and horror stories published in top magazines and anthologies worldwide. I’m gratified to see the response so far has been awesome since I cherry-picked the stories from among my published short fiction.
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