I'm excited to feature Martyn Stanley today. I've read and reviewed a couple of his books and I totally recommended for those who love good fantasy! And don't forget to scroll down to the end to take advantage of a free offer. Let's get to know more of him and his work!
Where are you from and what's your background?
I'm
a British author, I live on the Staffordshire, Cheshire border with my
wife and two kids. I've always been a reader and a gamer. My favorite
games have always been fantasy RPGs, but I prefer writing these days,
because it gives me more freedom. I don't have to unfold someone else's
plot.
When did you realize you wanted to write and when did you start writing?
I've
been writing for decades. I started writing a lot, on a daily basis
around the year 2000 when I began co-writing Star Wars Fan Fiction on an
RPG forum. I'm still in touch with some of the people I met there, I
haven't written any of that sort of thing for years though.
Great way to start. What genre do you write and what's your target audience?
I
mainly write fantasy, but I have some sci-fi, paranormal and black
comedy in
the pipeline too. For my fantasy and folklore stories I'm
really aiming at the mysterious NA category. Some of the contents in my
books is a little mature for YA, but they're an easy read. Many adults
enjoy them too!
Yes, I enjoy your books! How many books have you published? Do you have a favorite?
I've
published four novels and two short stories under my own name. My
favorite is 'Deathsworn Arc 4: Rise of the Archmage' though I'm very
fond of my second short story - 'Return of the Worm Slayer' too.
What is your favorite quote, and who wrote it?
I like a lot of quotes. My favorite source of inspiration is actually a very brief You Tube clip of David Bowie. David Bowie on why you should never play to the gallery. He
talks about the importance of not trying to fulfill other people's
expectations. He also suggests that if you feel 'safe' where you're
working, then you aren't working in the right area and you should go
further out of your depth. I completely agree with Bowie on everything
he says in this video.
Excellent advice. Thanks for posting it! Do you have a favorite author? Who? What's your favorite book? Has this author or book influenced your writing in any way?
Definitely
Terry Pratchett. I've read all his disc-world and some of his other
work. His wit and perceptiveness are without equal. I also read his
'Slip of the Keyboard' I felt like I got to know him. I think we'd have
got on well. We share a lot of opinions. This was my review of that
book:- Martyn Stanley (Stoke-on-Trent, I6, The United Kingdom)’s review of A Slip of the Keyboard: Collected Non-Fiction
What inspired you to write your first book? Did you research the topic?
How did you overcome writer's block if you had any while drafting the
plot?
Can't wait! Where can we find out more about you and your work?
I
just had an idea about a 'big thing' and started to write some
characters and fill in the gaps. The little story is what's important.
Relationships, friendships, arguments - the human aspect of the story.
Always make the big story small and the small story big.
Very interesting. And what are you working on now?
Deathsworn
Arc 5: The Temple of the Mad God is my main project at the moment, but I
also have a paranormal, a black comedy and a time-travel in the
pipeline. So little time, so much to write!
Can't wait! Where can we find out more about you and your work?
Goodreads
is always a good place. I'm very open and willing to interact with
readers. I'll happily discuss my books or other books I've read with
anyone on Goodreads! I also have a You Tube channel where I talk about
many things. Occasionally even writing and books!
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
One
of my projects in the pipeline is a short story prequel to 'The Last
Dragon Slayer' it will be a subscriber exclusive. I may list it on
Amazon, but it will be at an absurdly unrealistic price if I do. Once
it's ready I will be giving an e-book of it to all my subscribers so if
you've read my first book and want to know what Vashni was up to before
she met the companions you should subscribe here:-
Great deal! Readers, don't pass up subscribing to Martyn's newsletter.
Here's the link to this Amazon author page where you can browse his work:
BONUS: Get the first book in his series FREE on Amazon:
