When did you realize
that you wanted to become a writer?
I’ve always had an interest in writing. I think my earliest
attempt was a story I wrote in about 3rd grade that I bound in shirt boards and
decorated with magic marker. I wrote some admittedly awful fanfic in middle
school and high school that I’d honestly never want anyone to see now. I also
had several false starts and failed attempts at novels. I think there were four
that I got 50 or more pages into before giving up for various reasons, but all
of those were important to helping me grow as a writer. I just kept at it until
I finished my first novel that I have still not published by the way, but I will
when I’m sure it’s ready. I think that really has been the key though –
patience and persistence. Writing isn’t a product. It’s a process, and the only
way you get better at it is to keep doing it.
Is being an Author
all you dreamed of, or did it just happen?
Well, my dreams are still a little bigger than what I’m
doing now, but I feel like I’m moving in the right direction.
What was the very
first thing you ever wrote?
It was a mystery story when I was about in third grade. I
wrote it on wide rule notebook paper and bound it with shirt boards decorated
with magic marker.
What was the
inspiration for your book?
I think it was part dream, part late night movie, but it is
certainly in answer to a lot of questions I’ve had bumping around inside of my
head in regards to life, faith, technology and mortality.
Who is your literary
hero?
Probably Tolkien for the degree of detail he put into the
world he created. It makes Middle Earth feel like a real place.
How much of your
characters are based on your traits or someone you know
personally?
I don’t think that any are based solely on any one person,
but I definitely use people I know or who I’ve met for inspiration on different
aspects of characters. It makes them feel more authentic and real.
Describe your main
character in six words.
Uncertain, innocent, desperate, naïve, resilient, hopeful
Describe the world
you’ve created in six words.
Arcadian, utopian, dreamlike, limitless, inhibiting, flawed
What scene was your
favorite to write?
There is a scene where Koren and Elysian Industries’ CEO,
Askr Ashe appear on a popular late-night talk show. The banter between them and
the host was a lot of fun to write. However, it also graphically illustrates
the adult celebrity world that Koren suddenly finds herself thrust into, and
she’s not entirely comfortable with it.
What scene was the
hardest for you to write?
There’s a scene where the alien strangeness of Aaru gets to
be too much to bear for Rose, and she has a little bit of a meltdown. I had to
go over and over that section during editing until I was satisfied her reaction
seemed natural and authentic and the scene fit into the overall narrative of
the story in a believable way.
What are you working
on now?
A
couple of things. I’m over a hundred pages into my Aaru sequel, but I’m also still determined to publish my first
finished novel, which is a fantasy novel based upon the mythology, legend and
history of ancient Japan. It’s done, it just needs polishing. It will be
published eventually, but it’s kind of my baby, so it will only be when I’m
sure it’s perfect.
Goals?
Accomplishments? Improvements?
Goals: I’d still love to be picked up eventually by a
traditional publisher. Accomplishments: I just finished my doctorate degree in
July so I am now Dr. David Meredith. Improvements: I’d like to think that I get
better every time I write. I’d like to think this novel is a little better than
my last one and I hope my next one will be better than this one still!
Are there any authors
or books you recommend?
One of my favorite series is Memory, Sorrow and Thorn by Tad Williams. I generally reread it
every year or two. I also cut my fantasy teeth on Tolkien. Other great authors
I’d recommend are Robin Hobb, James Clavell, and Liza Dalby. I think Susanna
Clark’s Johnathan Strange and Mr. Norell,
is one of the most creative pieces of speculative fiction I’ve ever read.
What's your favorite
thing to do when you're not writing?
Pretty much all of my free time lately has either been taken
up by dissertation or my regular writing, so I’ve not been that engaged in
anything else besides work. Now that I’m finished with my program, however,
that will be something I can finally explore.
