Interview Q/A with Anika Arrington
Tell us a little
about yourself and your background?
I
moved to Arizona when I was 4, and I’ve been here ever since. I’m married to
the best guy ever! I just gave birth to my sixth child, and he is just
scrumptious. I’m a huge believer in self-education and life long learning, so I
read all kinds of non-fiction as well as fiction. I studied at Northern Arizona
University for three years: political science, communications, and creative
writing. Obviously only one of those really stuck.
Give us an insight
into your main character. What does he/she do that is so special?
That’s actually kind of a tricky question. Not because
Rezdin isn’t special (he’s a wizard for crying out loud), but because he isn’t
riveting in the way so many main characters are these days. He’s dry and witty,
he’s naturally an introvert in a world where the extroverts get the praise and
the glory (nothing we writer’s can relate to, right?), and in the end he’s just
a good guy who lost his way for a while and when presented with the opportunity
to do the right thing, he does. Even the aspects of magic that he’s best
at—healing, subtle design, potion making—aren’t the flashy talents that get
characters noticed. And honestly, taking the time to hone skills that don’t
attract a ton of attention is a rare thing in the age of, “Just put it on
Youtube.”
If this book is
part of a series, tell us a little about it?
Accidental Apprentice is the first in a three (maybe four) book
series. Each book is told through multiple characters. For the first book
Rezdin, Baron Erik von Dappenshien, and Lady Felecia Beauxmont are the point of
view characters, each telling their sides of the tale. In the next installment
Tommy, Crispin, and Headmaestra Marzena are the tellers of the story. There’s
political intrigue, suspense, all manner of wizardry, and the potential for the
very fabric of reality to unravel. It should be fun.
How much research
did you do for AA?
Honestly, almost none.
And I am sure there are places where it shows, but in the spirit of this being
a fantasy, I just made stuff up. My beta-readers pointed this out frequently,
so I did end up justifying a few creative choices with “they live in a world of
magic, sometimes stuff just works like that, get over it.” Not sure they always
appreciated that.
Which actor/actress
would you like to see playing the lead character from your most recent book?
I think Tyrese Gibson would make an incredible Rezdin. And
I’m fairly certain I would faint if Tom Wilkinson could be persuaded to play
Baron von Dappenshien.
What genre are your
books and what draws you to this genre?
So
far I have written a steampunk short story, and two full length fantasy novels
(one of which may never see the light of day). I have ideas percolating for the
completion of the Accidental Apprentice series, as well as a YA urban fantasy,
a contemporary mystery, a new adult contemporary fantasy, a religious
non-fiction with potential for a fictitious series to spring off it. I’ve
always enjoyed stories with fantastical elements even if they weren’t fantasies
per say. I guess, despite the wonder of the world around me, I’ve always wanted
to believe there was more to excite and ponder on than what we see with our
eyes.
Why do you write?
Because words are delicious to me. And anyone who knows me, knows
I love all things delicious. I have been playing with words since I could form
them, and I won’t stop doing that. Also the more I write, the more the
characters in my head insist on talking to me. They simply beg to be put on the
page, so I oblige in order to put them away long enough to get some
sleep.
Do you write
full-time or part-time?
What time. No really,
I grab whatever time I can, mostly in the evenings when children are asleep or
if I have some sainted soul to babysit for an hour or two I take the
opportunity to put as much down as I can.
Do you have a
special time to write or how is your day structured?
I wake up to a crying baby and the husband headed out the
door to work at some completely unreasonable hour. I get one kid out the door
to school, dress and feed the others, and try to keep them playing and learning
or just watching a dang movie so I can check my freaking email thank you very
much! Then after lunch, while the children are napping, I do some writing or
marketing work, or pay the bills, or clean the kitchen. Then kids wake up from
their naps and get home from school, so it’s homework time, followed by dinner
and bedtime rituals. And then in the peace of the evening my awesome hubby
hangs out with the baby while I get a little more work done. I pass out some
time around 10pm on average. So, yeah that’s pretty average. Anyone else
feeling tired right now?
How do you think
you’ve evolved creatively?
Hmm, that one’s
tricky. I think evolution is a function of hindsight, and I’m not sure I’ve
journeyed far enough on the path of living a creative life to really look back
yet. This is my first novel to be published, and I’m not sure it’s much of a
departure or even a step up from anything I wrote previously. Farther to go
before I can take stock of where I’ve been.
What is the hardest
thing about writing?
Sitting in the chair
and putting the words together.
What is the easiest
thing about writing?
Sitting in the chair
and putting the words together. Also eating the snacks on the plate next to
me(unfortunately).
What is your
favourite motivational phrase?
If I don’t do it,
it ain’t getting done.
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