Interview With Author Marieke Lexmond
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My name is Marieke Lexmond, and I’m originally from the Netherlands. I read tarot cards, am a foodie, do photography, and travel. I have three sassy little dogs that I like to take everywhere, and they even have their own Instagram account @urbandogsquad. I have a background in filmmaking which enables me to travel and live around the globe. Storytelling is in my blood, from saving my allowance from a very young age to buy books to my master’s degree from the Dutch Film Academy. Fantasy and science fiction are my favorite genres. I prefer to write fun and mystical stories for adults. My attraction to nature and places with a magical history brought me to New Orleans and the West Coast of Ireland. As a pagan, the instant connection to the land feeds my imagination and has become the inspiration for the Madigan Chronicles.
The Madigan Chronicles will be a six books series; “The Dagger” #1, “The Magical Tarot Deck” #2, “The Wand” #3, and “The Cup” #4 are published.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The latest installment in The Madigan Chronicles is “The Cup.” As it’s one continuous story there are many things that inspire me to write this. It’s a story about three generations and family is something that always fascinated me. If you come from a loving, or from a dysfunctional one, each family has unique family dynamics. A blood bond is a curious thing.
In book 4 I dive into the animosity between the sisters Freya and Luna. Forced to travel together, they grudgingly help each other out. Each have their own magical problems, but they find out what it means to be sisters.
One of the main locations in this book is Greenland. In 2019 I traveled to Greenland to make a documentary. It made such an impression on me. The kind people, the strange harsh landscape, I never encountered anything like it. So it was easy to chose the location of the residence of the family who guards the Cup of Plenty. As it’s a story about the element of water it fitted perfectly!
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t know… I think everyone’s writing process is unique. I talk a lot to my characters, but I’m sure I’m not the only one. I thought I always did that in my mind, but during Covid I found out I talk out loud. My husband asked if I could mention his name as the conversation was meant for him!
I’m the most productive if I have some routine and write almost daily. The story becomes alive in my mind and becomes part of every waking hour. So when I sit down, I write, and if I need to think, I do things. Preferable things that inspire my creativity. Like taking photographs, walks in nature, make spells.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I love many genres and like to immerse myself in reading. If something grips me, I have a hard time putting it down; I need to finish it. When I was a young adult, I read mainly Fantasy and Science Fiction which obviously stuck with me. I went through all the classics like Asimov and Heinlein. I loved “Ender’s Game” by Orson Scott Card, and “The Birthgrave” trilogy by Tanith Lee resonated with me.
On the other hand, I enjoy English literature and the use of language. Authors like Jeanette Winterson or Ian McEwan.
Let’s not forget the comics! The ones that inspired me were Storm by Don Lawrence and Thorgal by Jean van Hamme. The worlds they created left a lasting impression.
What are you working on now?
At the moment, I’m working on “The Queen of Fairy,” book 5 in the Madigan Chronicles. It’s always exciting and scary at the same time.
Tarot cards are interwoven throughout this story. Each chapter embodies a minor arcana from the tarot. My friend and gifted artist Nicole Ruijgrok designed the cards for me. We work on that at the same time. It’s wonderful to work with another creative; it pushes you to do better.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Of course, I maintain my own website www.underthewitcheshat.com where you can experience the world of the Madigans. It’s a place full of spells, recipes, cocktails, and info about the books.
As an author, it’s not your natural state to promote and put yourself out there, but in the time of social media, you will have to. So try to have fun with it. I love Instagram, so I use that a lot. Making content for @underthewitcheshat is also a creative process that can help with writing.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Make sure you have a good support team! I couldn’t do this without the help of some amazing people. It will take time to find people whom you love working with and who can inspire you. Start looking for them!
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Be yourself, and don’t try to fit in.
What are you reading now?
As I’m one of these people who get lost in a book and can’t stop reading, I don’t read when writing my first draft. I can’t afford to be taken out of the Madigan world.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I will not have to think about that as I still have to finish books 5 and 6 before the complete series is done. But I do already have ideas for another series :). It’s hard not to jump ahead, as the development of ideas is fun. Talking about fun, I am researching for book 6, which involves some traveling!
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 Lord of the Rings–Tolkiens
The Old Souls trilogy–Deborah Harkness
Pride and Prejudice–Jane Austen
Author Websites and Profiles
Marieke Lexmond Amazon Profile
Marieke Lexmond’s Social Media Links