Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hey! So I’ve always wanted to write, but lost the confidence to do so when I was in grade 4. I would still write…but usually kept it to myself or couldn’t finish it. Then in 2016, I had learned a lot about written surrealism from University and I started using that to help me get over some of the fears. I wrote freely, and expressed exactly what I wanted to plus a lot of other things I didn’t intend (that’s the beauty of real surrealism). I ended up self-publishing a few of those short surrealist stories. Arthur Untold is my first self-published “regular” writing, though.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is Arthur Untold! It’s a mythological fantasy about King Arthur and a lot of the key players from that legend (plus some time travel). And what inspired it was…mainly my love for the legends themselves, but also my own spiritual journey. I’ve learned and come across a lot of interesting things and ideas in the last few years that have blown my mind. While some of it might just be fiction, it’s still been an interesting time being able to think about all of these things. So I wanted to share that with the world in an entertaining way that would (hopefully!) spark imagination and wonder. It’s subtly embedded in small details and (hopefully) makes it a unique fantasy story.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I’m a binge writer! I’ll usually put on a movie in the background (wearing headphones!) and that’s the only way I keep track of how much time has passed. There have been times where I’ve switched movies and taken a short break, so I know I’ve been at it in the past for at least 4 hours. Someone once told me that “800 words” was not bad but…well, try 20,000 in 3 days. I just like to write.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I’m actually really bad at author names, and I’m on the road so I didn’t have room for any of my books, so please forgive (one of the) vague descriptions about to follow!
Paulo Coelho is a big one for me. The Alchemist, and Brida, gave me lots to think about at a time when I was especially lost in life. They gave me hope and a sense of wonder for the possibilities of life.
Eat, Pray, Love was something I read in my…mid 20’s? And helped a lot with grief. I tried to read it again later, but it didn’t click the same. But it got me through some of the really deep grief that I faced with chronic illness and losing someone very important to me. While life still goes on, we also still live with the memories and things we go through, and that book helped me understand and handle that with grace.
And then the one that impacted me enough to (finally) start writing my own novel…is at home and I cannot remember the name nor the author. It’s about a girl who is chosen to serve the Dragon lord for 10 years. The evil in the nearby forests are taking over land, and the dragon watches over and protects them all from it but takes a girl every 10 years and “changes” them. I’m not sure if I’m doing it justice and I don’t want to spoil anything, but it was FULL of magic and adventure and it’s a beautiful novel that I wish I could experience again and again. It was the right kind of magic that I needed in my life. It helped move my mind from heartbreak towards possibilities, and made me realise that I had my own stories to tell.
And then we also have The Hobbit. My grandmother gave this book to me when I was young. I can’t explain what it does to me except to say…it feels very inclusive. All of the characters are important and play a unique role. It isn’t just about Gandalf, or Mr. Baggins, or any one of the dwarves. It’s about everyone, collectively. It isn’t something we see a lot of in our world’s creations today.
What are you working on now?
I’ve got an inter-dimensional fantasy series that’s about 30k words in! I started it before Arthur Untold, but suddenly switched one day. So I’ll be finishing the first book for that series as well as starting an off-shoot for Arthur Untold (to fill in some details for characters and places that were mentioned)
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m still new at all of this. I really, really love Pinterest and use that the most. I’m trying to branch out and look at other methods, though.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
I still consider myself as a new author so…I say this for everyone, including myself: keep trying. Edit, edit, edit, (and edit some more). But keep trying.
Author Websites and Profiles
T.C.M. Nancy Website
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