Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My name is Michael John Finley and I was born in British Guyana.
I’m what you may call a late bloomer, as I only started writing a few years ago. My parents were avid readers and the house was always full of books, so it just seemed natural that I would take a liking to reading. I have read most of the classics like Jules Verne, Victor Hugo, Agatha Christie, Herman Melville, among others, and despite their wonderful stories, I always wondered what could have happened if the hero failed to complete his mission or a character had different traits than those presented by the author.
For most of my live I was a logistics manager and writing could not be farthest from my mind. I always admired those who write, but never thought of it as something for me. Life however has a curious habit of shifting things around and one day I decided to put a few short stories to paper and discovered the wonders of writing. What started as an experience in writing became something much more serious as I kept at it. Even so, until that point, I had never considered printing any of my stories. They just seemed frail, lacking something that could make them stand on their own.
The reason for this, I found out later is that the stories were actually small parts of something bigger, so one day, my daughter suggested that all the stories would make more sense if I gave the characters a common goal, a quest, and that brought everything into perspective. That was the genesis of my first book and only book thus far, Tales of Valoris – The Rune Seekers. What began as a single book soon evolved into a five book saga, most of which is still in my mind, but I’m working on getting it out.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
As I said, my only book so far is Tales of Valoris – The Rune Seekers, but that is only the first one. The other four are still in the oven.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I can’t type when creating, I have to write or I risk losing my train of thought. I spend more time with my notebook than my computer. I find that handwriting is faster and more dynamic, not to mention that I’m terrible at typing.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Although I write fantasy, I have read very little from the genre. I’m more attracted to mysteries, adventure, or even the occasional horror. Thus, most of my influences come from authors like Stephen King, Dean Koontz, Patricia Highsmith, and Dan Brown. I find it absolutely amazing how they tie complicated plots into amazing stories and memorable characters.
What are you working on now?
I’m finishing the first draft of the second volume of Tales of Valoris (still untitled), which I hope to release early next year.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I have yet to discover that.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Throughout my short carrier, here is what I have learned:
Persevere, always. There is no shortage of people who don’t understand your work or are just itching to criticise you, so believe in yourself and plough though.
Study: Some of us are talented in many ways, even with words, however, I have learned that talent alone is not enough. Read about the craft (On Writing – Stephen King is an excellent starting point), join other authors and learn from them, the more you understand your craft, the better you will be at it.
False Gurus: Be wary of these, especially those who tell you that you should write for a certain audience, or have a certain group in mind when you write. I’m my experience, trying to do that is the equivalent of guessing the lottery numbers. Write what you want and because you enjoy it. I believe there is no such thing as a bad book, only books without readers. I have read praised books which in my opinion, were rather lacking at best, and disregarded books that turned out to be fantastic. Therefore, how can you choose an audience, just write and have fun.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Always keep your critical sense sharp. No matter what people tell you, if you don’t like it, walk away, or try to find another solution. It is almost impossible to work with something you don’t like.
What are you reading now?
Dan Brown’s Deception Point.
What’s next for you as a writer?
What else? Continue writing. Finish the saga I’m working on and see what the future holds.
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?
The Mysterious Island – Jules Verne (Always good to have a tips)
The Lord of the Rings – Tolkien (It might be awhile until I’m rescued)
The Da Vinci Code – Dan Brown (What is life without a tad of mystery?)
The Physician – Noah Gordon (Why not enjoy some more travelling?)
Author Websites and Profiles
M. J. Finley Website
M. J. Finley’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile