Welcome to Meet The Author!
Today Margaret Arvanitis has stopped by to give us a little insight into her
life and her books. So let’s get started.
Please tell us a little about
yourself.
I live on the coast of Oregon
with my twin sister, Mariah Matthews, who is also a writer and
the cover artist for my mid-grade fables. I am a retired preschool and
elementary teacher, and am a graduate of the Institute of Children's Literature
and am also a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers &
Illustrators (SCBWI). I spend the majority of my time on my Macintosh, writing
and researching.
When did you start writing?
Basically, while in high
school, my favorite class was Journalism. Later, when I ran my
pre-kindergarten school, I wrote children stories and puppet dialogues. I
finally "graduated" to mid-grade fantasy and history-based YA
books. I also write short short stories whenever I find a contest to
enter. Now I write fables for mid grade. Can't call them fairy tales, but they
are fantasy based with a lesson to learn.
What projects have been
published?
Two short preschool stories,
“Marty’s Song” and “The Rabbit who Ate the Snowman’s Nose.” My work has also
been published in various magazines. My First mid-grade fantasy, “The Legend of
ELPanda Paws,” an adventure about a sad, lost panda cub that brings the
negative disease to ELvanland, and how two ELVanites bravely face death in
order to rescue it, was e-published this year, and is now available in paper back
from Amazon. Just recently “Forbidden Wings; a Mermaid’s Story” was
e-published. Two of my short stories have been published in Unearthed, and Time, anthologies by Literary Underground.
Tell us about “Forbidden
Wings: A Mermaid’s Story.”
Nadeea, small among the other
Mermaids, finds life unbearable. She meets two fairies and notices their
beautiful wings. She thinks if she has wings she could escape the teasing of
the other mermaids. When Sir Cecil, the Snerg, promises to help her find wings,
she agrees to go on a long dangerous journey to Wyre, the home of the
Damselflies. Sadie Squarette, a magic-making, bug-like poet, is their guide.
They cross the Island of Egilssay where she meets Zasta, of the Selkies, who
becomes her best friend. There is danger on the Island, however. They must
cross the land of the Trows where a mighty battle is going on between the Sea
and Hill Trows who kill anyone who passes. Sadie uses her unique magic to save
them. Finally they reach the Island of Wyre where Nadeea hopes to get wings.
She bravely faces Gwitihn, the Goat Witch and saves the queen of the
Damselflies. When she learns that her Mer family has been captured by the
dreaded Sea Lions and taken into slavery, she has to make a decision. Will she
wait for her wings or go home to rescue her family?
How did you select the title
of your novel?
It is forbidden in the Mers
Realm for Mers to be different. So if Nadeea receives wings she would have to
hide them from the other Mers.
What was your inspiration?
I collect mermaid memorabilia
and was shopping at a curio shop where I noticed a figurine of a beautiful
mermaid with fairy wings. I had never seen a mermaid with wings so my
inquisitive writer’s mind wondered why and how she would have wings. Needless
to say, I bought her, brought her home and set her on my desk. It took a
few months but eventually her story came out. Thus “Forbidden Wings: A
Mermaid’s Story” was written.
What are you currently
working on?
Another fantasy fable, which
takes place in our beautiful Oregon country, called “PIXIES OF THE FERNS:
Fernella's Magic.” And am editing and having
covers designed for my History-based YA series, “Hank of Twin Rivers,” which I
hope to launch in 2013.
What are you reading at the
moment?
I usually finish a
normal-sized novel on my Kindle within two or three days. I’ve enjoyed “The
Macgregor’s Daughter” by Dee Julian, and for lighter reading, “Our Husband” by
Stephanie Bond. At this very moment I am rereading “Destinies” by
Karleene Morrow. I also find mid grade or story books of
other writers to read and if I like them I leave reviews for them.
What do you like to do in
your free time when you're not reading or writing?
I like to make flowers grow,
either in the ground or in pots, travel when I can, and of course keep track of
my five adult children and their families who live in Nebraska, Texas, and
California.
Do you have any advice for
other authors?
Number One. Get
involved in a critique group. My group of six writers meets once a month and
have heard, reviewed and greatly improved all my books.
Number Two. You wouldn’t
serve a half-baked cake …so finish your writing with good editing. Have
someone edit your manuscript carefully. Hire someone if necessary.
Number Three: Don't think
negatives “As you think, so you are.” Think: I am a writer.
Number Four: Follow your
vibes. Sometimes characters and events come to mind when you think you should
be sleeping.
And finally, can you tell us
some fun facts about yourself, such as crossed skydiving off my bucket list.
Facts about me: I’ve never
lost my kid inside, thus my lifetime occupation, teaching keeps me enjoying all
kid stuff. At the other end of life’s circle, I created and still run an
Online Single Senior club where I've personally met many friends from the US
and Canada. We meet at bashes in various cities. I can speak in public but feel
better if I have a puppet in my hand.
To find out more about
Margaret Arvanitis, please visit:
To purchase Margaret
Arvanitis’ books, please visit:
For “The Legend of ELPanda Paws”
Amazon
