Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a High School English teacher, and I just published my first novel. I’m a native of Central Florida where I live with my wife Sarah.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest (and first) novel is The Lord of Long Shadows, and it was inspired by a dream I had. I’ve had pretty vivid dreams since I was a kid, and be while often times they’re just fantastic nonsense, once in a rate while there’s enough there to form the outline of a story. After I woke up, I wrote down what I remembered and over the next few days I began to flesh out the world and the characters and two years later here we are.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Since I’m just getting started, I’m not sure which of my habits would be in considered unusual, but I have a few persistent ones. I always keep a folder in my Google drive for when I’m inspired by something. It happens quite a bit so I think the last I looked there’s about fifteen novel ideas in there.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I’d say the two who were the most influential were Tolkien and Riordan. I learned a love of world building from Tolkien and I learned that your story doesn’t have to be serious all the time to be great from Rick Riordan.
What are you working on now?
I’m about halfway through my script for the sequel to The Lord of Long Shadows (it’s a trilogy).
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Since I’m a first time author I’m not sure yet. I’m still figuring this part of the game out.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Just keep writing, even on the bad days when it seems like everything you’re doing it garbage. You can always edit bad writing later, but you can’t do anything with nothing.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Write every day.
What are you reading now?
I’m about halfway though the second book in the Trials of Apollo series. It’s fantastic and everybody should read it.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Finishing my sequel novel.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Order of the Phoenix, House of Hades, Catching Fire, and Outliers
Author Websites and Profiles
M. Anderson Website
M. Anderson Amazon Profile
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