Please welcome author Mikey Brooks to the Far Edge of Normal. Don't forget to enter the giveaway at the end of the post!
Mikey Brooks is a small child masquerading as an adult. On occasion you’ll catch him dancing the funky chicken, singing like a banshee, and pretending to have never grown up. He is the author/illustrator of the best-selling middle-grade series The Dream Keeper Chronicles, The Stone of Valhalla, and The Gates of Atlantis: Battle for Acropolis. His picture books include the best-selling ABC Adventures: Magical Creatures and Bean’s Dragons. His art can be seen in many forms from picture books to full room murals. He loves to daydream with his three daughters and explore the worlds that only the imagination of children can create. Mikey has a BS degree in English from Utah State University and works fulltime as a freelance illustrator, cover designer, and author. As a member of the Emblazoners, he is one of many authors devoted to ‘writing stories on the hearts of children’ (www.emblazoners.com). You can find more about him and his books at: www.insidemikeysworld.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/writtenbymikey
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MIKEYBR00KS
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/writtenbymikey/
Tell us about your writing - What genre do you prefer to write? What books, stories, other publications that you've written are your personal favorites? Anything new coming up?
I write mainly for kids although adults enjoy my books too. I am the author/illustrator of several picture books including: ABC Adventures: Magical Creatures and Bean’s Dragons. My middle grade books include: The Dream Keeper Chronicles, The Stone of Valhalla, and a new fantasy adventure in The Gates of Atlantis series: Battle for Acropolis. I am currently finishing up the final book in the Dream Keeper Chronicles: The Dream Makers, which I hope to have available this fall.
I can’t say which my favorite is because I have enjoyed each project differently. All of them I had tons of fun creating and I hope to continue to create fun filled stories for kids to devour.
What about you as a person? What do you do to relax? Favorite movies or tv shows? Hobbies?
I am Wonder Woman’s husband…shh don’t tell, but she really is. We have three beautiful daughters. I am a family man. I love spending time with the kiddos and just goofing off. When the girlies go to bed I snuggle up with Wonder Woman and we watch movies, mostly chick flicks.
What gets your creative juices going? Do you write to a music, and do you want to share your playlist?
I get my ideas from just about anywhere. It could be a line from a movie, a strange picture in the National Geographic, or a question one of the girlies ask me. When I write, I have to have absolute silence. Normally during my writing day, Thursdays, Wonder Woman takes the girlies to grandma’s house. I have to fully emerge myself in my world. It plays out in my head like a movie and it’s a movie I have to give my fullest attention or I miss something.
"All writers must have cats, especially if they write fantasy or speculative fiction." Do you have a stand on this one? Any cute pictures of your kitty or other pet?
Oh my gosh, I HATE cats! Probably because of the cat my mom had when I was in high school. It always came down in the middle of the night moaning like it had just been ran over. No matter what I did it felt the urge to torment me while I slept. I do have four parakeets, which for the most part are just pretty to look at and kind of annoying with how loud they get. We also just adopted a cute little doggy we named Stormy.
What organizations do you recommend for those wanting to become writers? Any advice you'd like to share about writing?
I don’t get a lot of writing time in during the week because I am focusing mostly on my clients projects (either covers, illustrations, or formatting) so I have to utilize the time that I have. I can’t afford to sit there thinking about what to write…so I write out the scene in my head the days that lead up to Thursday. I am constantly thinking about what is going on and what is about to happen next. I totally recommend writers do this. You’ll write so much more efficiently.
What writers inspired you to become an author?
Three authors had a big impact on me: L Frank Baum gave me my love of stories with his Oz books, C.S. Lewis continued that love of magic in words, and finally when I wanted to become a writer, J.K. Rowling’s’ story really impacting me. Now that I am a writer, I am constantly inspired by the authors around me. It’s good to have mentors and role models. Some of my current ones include: J. Scott Savage, James A. Owens, and Jennifer A. Nielsen.
Any special appearances or events coming up that you want to mention?
Oh yes! I am a part of The Gates of Atlantis series. I was privileged to illustrate the covers for all six book and write the final book in the series: Battle for Acropolis. Those kick off next week. We’ll be having signing in Utah. One on August 9th at the Hastings in Ogden from 3pm-5pm. Another signing in Provo at Provo Beach on August 15 from 3pm-6pm. I’ll also be at Salt Lake City ComicCon in September.
If you could travel to any time in history, when would you visit?
Hmm… this is a good one because there are so many places I’d love to visit. I like the times of the Musketeers. I’d also like to visit the Regency time period. Maybe even go back and see the pyramids before nature took hold. However, I am a fan of modern comforts like indoor plumbing and air conditioning. While these places would be good to visit, I wouldn’t want to permanently stay there.
If you could have dinner with any of your characters, which ones would you choose? What food would you serve?
Can I just sit down with all of them and have a BBQ? That would be ideal for me.
If you could travel anywhere, on earth or off, where would you go?
I would definitely go to the UK. I have always wanted to go there and feel a strange connection with the Brits. I think there is this romantic idea about the UK that still has a great hold on me. I’m not sure If I’d ever come back after going.
What color would you wear if you had only one choice?
Today I say blue. Tomorrow it will probably be another color. My favorite color changes every day.
Describe your dream writing spot.
I am trying to create that now. I just try to surround myself with things that make me happy and inspire me. Pictures of fun art, quotes that help in my determination, stuff like that. I’d like to say a tree house like J.K. Rowling, but I’m not sure if I’d get enough writing done. I’d probably just want to play.
Check out his books, now available on audio books!
Book 1: The Dream Keeper
Book 2: The Dreamstone
a Rafflecopter giveawayCheck out his books, now available on audio books!
Book 1: The Dream Keeper
When an evil shifter takes over the gateway to the realm of Dreams, it falls to 14-year-olds Parker and Kaelyn to stop him. Their only hope lies with Gladamyr, the Dream Keeper, but can they trust a Nightmare to save their world?
Kindle: http://ASIN.cc/aZzmF0
When Parker’s mom is dreamnapped by the wicked Mab, it is up to him and Kaelyn to save her. When they return to Dreams, they discover Mab isn’t their only problem. Gladamyr has lost his powers and the only way to get them back is to become what he fears the most—a nightmare.
