Thursday 8 August 2013

My Ghostly chat with the lovely Maer Wilson


It has been a couple of weeks since I had a guest sitting next to me in my shed of solicitation when the brave and brilliant Simon OKill graced my newly acquired Lazy Boy recliner and chatted about his latest work, but it has been a while since a lovely lady has sat next to me. 
 
The back of the shed gang are very excited to meet Maer Wilson author of the newly released short story Ghost Memory.
 
I thought that the subject matter would scare the goofs off, but no such luck.
 
So, instead I smile, and pray that the yuks don't embarrass me.  
 
Welcome, Maer Wilson, have a seat, would you like a drink?

Thanks for the invite, Tina. Hot chocolate would be awesome.

I pour up the sweet liquid and hand it to her, making sure it was not too hot first.
 
Thank you for coming, Maer. Though I have known you for almost a year, these yahoos are unfamiliar with you, share a little about yourself.

 When I was younger, I did a lot of stage acting, but left that for the business world. More recently I’ve been teaching and writing. I’m a pet parent, with two dog and we live in the high desert of Southern Nevada. I love crafts, but don’t do as many of those as I used to.

 
I have seen “Ghost Memory”, A Thulukan Chronicles Story on Amazon and I would love to pick it up, but before I do, could you tell me a little about it?

 
Sure thing. Here is the official blurb:

La Fi is not having a normal day. She broke someone’s nose, embarrassed her fiancĂ©, Thulu, and now a dead guy is on her doorstep. Although seeing the dead is not unusual for the young medium, since she and Thulu regularly deal with the supernatural. Thulu can find anything that's lost and the amnesiac ghost is missing money, along with his memory.

Peter Swanson used to stash money throughout his San Francisco home. Now he can’t remember his hiding places, and his aging partner needs the money. That’s not normally a problem for Thulu, but some of the money is missing from the house. Thulu and La Fi must broaden the search for cash long gone, and that could prove tricky in more ways than one.

“Ghost Memory” is A Thulukan Chronicles Story set in the Relics universe. Bonus Material includes Chapter 1 from the novel Relics, Book 1 of The Thulukan Chronicles.

 Wow, “Ghost Memory” sounds intriguing, is there a particular part of the story that you really enjoyed writing?

 Well, since this is a short story, it’s pretty compact. I did enjoy filling in the details behind the dojo story.

 I was thanking the high power above that the interview was sailing smoothly with no incidents, when Jack, the Back of The Shed gang self elected leader stumbles over and shouts at Maer.

I cringe.
 
Hey dude, tell us who your favourite character(s) are!

There are not many extra characters in this story, but I must say I adore writing Thulu and La Fi, since they are the main characters in the series. I also enjoyed writing Peter Swanson and Donovan Quinn because they were new and it was fun to discover who they were.

 Sorry about that, but Jack's question brought another question to light, "If “Ghost Memory” were to be optioned for a movie, who do you see playing your main character(s)?

 La Fi - Jennifer Lawrence

Thulu - Chris Hemsworth

 They will be perfect, Maer, I could really see those actors playing those parts. I was wondering, as a person who writes on the side, during my down time, my writing process starts with forming the story in my head before I put pen to paper, what is your writing process like?

 I write organically. I have a general idea where I want to go, but few details. My stories are driven by the characters and how they react to the things that happen to them.

I feel like I met a kindred spirit, finally someone who writes as I do!  

Terrance looking like he has a little too much of the brown bottle medicine trips over a fishing line and sloshes beer over Maer and rudely asks his question.

I think I go crawl in a hole now.

And I wonder why I don't have many guests! *groan*

All of this sounds fascinating but I heard writing is a hell of a lot of work, why do you do it, what do you get out of it?"

 Um, are you okay?
 
Maer wipes the beer off her jacket and licks her fingers. I am so glad that she has a great since of humour has I hand her a clean damp cloth.

Thanks for sharing the beer, but not really my choice of beverage. Anyway, to answer your question, I love telling the stories and visiting the characters in their world. For me the hard work isn’t the writing or the revising at all. I love getting into the character’s heads and finding out what comes next.

 
Thanks for the awkward segue, Terrance, now go over with the rest of the boys and let me and Maer have our yarn.

Terrance asked you why you like to write, now I want to ask you, is there anything about writing you don't like?

 No, not about the writing process because I love all of that. But hands down, the marketing is a big challenge. It takes a lot of time and effort and I’m not at all sure what works and what doesn’t work yet, since I’m so new. But I’m learning and hopefully getting better at it.

 When you write, what is it that you hope your readers take away from your story?

 I hope they had a good time and enjoyed the book and the characters.

 Do you have any other stories you are currently writing or are planning to write?

 Well, this is a prequel to the novel Relics, which was actually published first. That’s available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. I also have Book 2 of The Thulukan Chronicles finished and submitted to my publisher. I’m getting ready to release the second short story prequel in the “Ghost” set in the next month or so. And I’m working on the third short story prequel in that set. Also I’m writing Book 3 of the main series. I have plans to do other short stories in the series and I also have a historical fantasy that I work on now and then.

 Thanks a million for answering all my questions…and the others, Maer, it has been a real pleasure. As I said before, I have seen “Ghost Memory” online at Amazon. Is there anywhere else your book is available and what formats?

 Yes, it’s on Kindle at Amazon. It’s also available at Smashwords, so most ebook formats can be found there.

 You must be frozen solid by now, Maer, my mates have been pretty greedy with the heat, so I am going to let you go so you can toddle on home and warm up, but before you go is there anything else you want to add?

 
Thank you so much for having me on today, Tina.

 
It was my pleasure, Maer. Come back anytime!

As I see Maer to the door and watch her drive off, I let out a deep breath and I'm glad that the interview went off smoothly and was very enjoyable.

But, then again, that is why Maer Wilson is so lovely, she has a great talent and a wonderful sense of humour!

Before she left, Maer left me with some extra goodies for you to check out as our time was unfortunately limited.


The lovely lady herself:

Ghost Memory cover:

 

Ghost Memory Cover Blurb:

 

Cover Blurb for “Ghost Memory”

By Maer Wilson

 

La Fi is not having a normal day. She broke someone’s nose, embarrassed her fiancĂ©, Thulu, and now a dead guy is on her doorstep. Although seeing the dead is not unusual for the young medium, since she and Thulu regularly deal with the supernatural. Thulu can find anything that's lost and the amnesiac ghost is missing money, along with his memory.

Peter Swanson used to stash money throughout his San Francisco home. Now he can’t remember his hiding places, and his aging partner needs the money. That’s not normally a problem for Thulu, but some of the money is missing from the house. Thulu and La Fi must broaden the search for cash long gone, and that could prove tricky in more ways than one.

“Ghost Memory” is A Thulukan Chronicles Story set in the Relics universe. Bonus Material includes Chapter 1 from the novel Relics, Book 1 of The Thulukan Chronicles.

In case you want to know about Maer here is a little more about her:


About Maer Wilson

After a successful career being other people, and later teaching others the many tricks of that trade, Maer Wilson has decided to be herself for a while. Turns out she's a writer. She's always loved stories, especially fantasy, mystery and sci fi. Maer was born in the Year of the Dragon and has a dragon-themed room in her home, but sadly no dragons in the back yard. When she's not writing, Maer plays online video games, teaches college and reads. She also co-hosts the literary podcast, “MythBehaving” and writes for two gaming fansites. She lives in the high desert of Southern Nevada with her two dogs, a chihuahua and a poodle. Relics is her first novel and is currently available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble. You can find her new prequel “Ghost Story” at Amazon and Smashwords. You can visit her website at http://maerwilson.com/.
 
How To Contact Maer:
 

Maer’s Website: http://maerwilson.com/
Maer’s Twitter:  https://twitter.com/MaerWilson
 
Buy Links
“Ghost Memory” on Smashwords - https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/340825

 

 
And last but not least for your media hounds out there, her Press Release by publisher Crescent Moon Press:


Press Release info for Relics by Maer Wilson, published by Crescent Moon Press, 5/1/13

Press Release

Former actor and Southern Nevada resident Maer Wilson joined the ranks of published authors on May 1, 2013. Wilson’s first book, Relics, is published by Crescent Moon Press. Relics is a Contemporary Fantasy that takes place in San Francisco and follows the exploits of husband and wife detectives, Thulu and La Fi. The couple’s clients are usually dead, which is fine with them since they work only with the supernatural. But their simple job to find lost relics for an ancient daemon turns into a grand adventure when the creatures of myth and magic return to Earth, confirming that humans are definitely not alone. You can find more information about Wilson and Relics at http://maerwilson.com/ and http://crescentmoonpress.com/books/Relics.html.

Book Blurb

Most of Thulu and La Fi's clients are dead. Which is perfect since their detective agency caters to the supernatural. So, a job finding relics for an ancient daemon should be simple.

The daemon needs the relics to keep a dangerous portal closed. His enemy, Gabriel, wants the relics to open the portal and give his people access to a new feeding ground – Earth.

Stunning humanity with their existence, portals to other worlds begin to open and the creatures of magic return to Earth.

When Gabriel threatens their family, Thulu and La Fi's search becomes personal. The couple will need powerful allies in the race to find the relics before Gabriel does. But maybe that's what grateful dead, magical allies and daemonic clients are for. 

When the creatures of myth and magic return to Earth, they're nothing like your mother's fairy tales.

Maer’s Bio

After a successful career being other people, and later teaching others the many tricks of that trade, Maer Wilson has decided to be herself for a while. Turns out she's a writer. She's always loved stories, especially fantasy, mystery and sci fi. Maer was born in the Year of the Dragon and has a dragon-themed room in her home, but sadly no dragons in the back yard. When she's not writing, Maer plays online video games, teaches college and reads. She also co-hosts the literary podcast, “MythBehaving” and writes for two gaming fansites. She lives in the high desert of Southern Nevada with her two dogs, a chihuahua and a poodle. Relics is her first novel and is currently available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble. You can find her new prequel “Ghost Story” at Amazon and Smashwords. You can visit her website at maerwilson.com.

 
Praise for Relics

"'Relics' is a powerful read which will challenge long-held perceptions of good vs. evil and Light vs. Dark well after the book is finished." Diane M. Haynes, author of Rift Healer, YA finalist in the Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence.

 
“In Relics, author Maer Wilson takes everything you think you know about the creatures of the fantasy world and twists it around to create a unique and engaging story.”  Constance Philips, author of Resurrecting Harry and Fairyproof.

 
“The perfect paranormal detective, Wilson’s unique and suspenseful tale pulls you in and doesn’t let go.”  Jean Murray, author of Soul Awakened and Soul Reborn.

 
Maer’s Links

Maer’s Website: http://maerwilson.com/


Maer’s Twitter:  https://twitter.com/MaerWilson






Relics - The Book Trailer link on YouTube:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=un2PHs5oGwg

 Relics - Excerpt

I must have lost track of time because I heard a voice say, “You're going to turn into a prune.”

“Mhmm,” I answered.

The door opened. A cool draft of air wafted my way, swirling the steam in the shower. I peeked out to see Thulu shutting the door behind him. It was a great view.

“So, have I ever mentioned that I'm a soul reader?”

I moved forward to clear the small waterfall and gave him a suspicious look. One never knew with Thulu.

“No, I don't think you've shared that bit of information.”

“I'm quite good at it, actually.” He sat on one of the side seats and motioned to the one across from him. I moved to the other seat.

Nodding, he continued, “I'm quite surprised you didn't know this. In some circles, I'm known as the Great and Wonderful Reader of Souls.”

“Oh, really?  I'm shocked that this could have escaped my attention all these years.”

“Well, this is the perfect time for me to read yours. Being that you're all pruney.”

I looked at my hands. They were pretty pruney. I shrugged and held out my hand palm up.

“Oh, honestly, love. Not your hand. Give me your foot.”

I giggled. “Okay you meant 'sole' reader.”

He nodded. “Absolutely. The lines in the sole of the foot can tell a lot about a person's future,” he added wisely.

“Uh-huh, I'll bite.” I lifted my foot and rested it on his knee. Thulu peered intently at it for a moment.

“Aha!  I see that tomorrow your adoring husband will let you sleep in and then cook a wonderful breakfast.”

“Thulu!” I protested. “You can't predict things that you can make happen. It doesn’t count.”

He looked at me in mock disbelief. “Do you question the Great and Wonderful Reader of Soles?”

“I'm just saying it doesn’t count to say something is going to happen when you know very well you are the one who can make it happen.”

“Does that mean you don't want breakfast?”

“I didn't say that.” I backtracked a bit. “Just that you are making a self-fulfilling prophecy.”

He ignored me and peered at the bottom of my foot once again. “I also see in your future –” He looked in my eyes, then back at my foot. “There's some fog here. No, wait a moment. I don't think it's fog. I think – yes, I'm sure of it. I see shower steam.” He looked up again, dimpling at me. “I foresee, in your very near future, fabulous shower sex.”

I watched him closely. He raised an eyebrow.

“Aren't you going to make a smart-ass comment about more self-fulfilling prophecies?” he asked innocently.

“No, I think I'll just let you fulfill that prophecy.”

 

2 comments:

  1. SOunds like you have another Winner. I loved Relics! Great interview.

    ReplyDelete

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