Interview and giveaway with P.H.C. Marchesi

Author: P.H.C. Marchesi

author of:
Shelby and Shauna Kitt and the Dimensional Holes







Bio:
I have a Ph.D. degree in English literature and teach British literature to undergraduates. I'm currently working on book two of "Shelby and Shauna Kitt." I love YA fiction (fantasy/sci-fi), especially when it has interesting characters and ideas. As a child, I lived in many different countries, and experienced many different cultures. I studied at an International School and had friends from all over the world. In many ways, these experiences shaped my writing and the fantasy world I created in "Shelby and Shauna Kitt and the Dimensional Holes."



Interview:
1- How did you come up with the idea to write Shelby and Shauna Kitt and the Dimensional Holes?

I think that parts of the story were always there, though unconnected. I’ve probably been daydreaming about the world of Miriax my whole life, and this is how I eventually got the idea to write about another dimension. Imagination is, after all, a parallel universe: a place where you can have the most incredible adventures and become who you truly want to be. It’s a place where you can confront your fears and shortcomings, and learn what it takes to become a hero. My imagination allowed me to work through the excitement, promise, and sometimes agony of growing up. In Shelby and Shauna Kitt and the Dimensional Holes, Miriax is the place that allows Shelby and Shauna Kitt to do the same. This is why Miriax is beautiful, dangerous, exciting, and puzzling all at the same time.

2- What made you decide to write a book in the sci-fi genre?


I’ve always been a sci-fi fan. I grew up watching the likes of Star Trek. I vividly remember going to movies to watch Return of the Jedi and ET. To me, there was always something very exciting about space travel, other planets, and aliens. In hindsight, I grew up in an age that saw space exploration as a literal and metaphorical expression of human potential. Space travel was a result – as well as a manifestation of – the human longing for adventure, courage, and excitement. So it made perfect sense to me to write about a different planet, even though the novel is not strictly a sci-fi novel because of all the fantasy elements.

3- How did you come up with all the creative names for you characters in your book?

Ah. Well, I have to confess that coming up with names was always a favorite pastime of mine. I went to an international school (formerly a British school), so I grew up devouring the likes of Charles Dickens and Jane Austen. Dickens, in particular, had such original names that reading him made me realize character names were an important part of storytelling. This is not to say that I wanted to be as metaphorical as Dickens, though once or twice I let slip a quasi-metaphorical name. My aim is to have names that sound so perfect for characters that you couldn't imagine any other name for them.The most exciting names for me to come up with, of course, were those associated with Miriax. I had a great deal of fun with those, and incorporated my knowledge of different languages (Portuguese, German, Italian) in my choices. I'm also in the habit of paying attention to names in signs, streets, stores, etc. Some of these become inspirations for fictional names.

4- Is there going to be a second book in the series?

Absolutely. Shelby and Shauna Kitt and the Dimensional Holes is just the beginning of Shelby and Shauna's adventures on Miriax. I’m already working on the second book, which starts more or less where book one ended.

5- How long did it take you to write it?

I had a complete draft after a year, and then had to put the project on hold because I was nearing the completion of my graduate degree. After I graduated, I began to work on the book again, and it went through several more drafts before I felt I was done with revisions and the novel was ready.

6- If you could be any character from your book, who would it be? And why?

Hmm…that’s a hard question, because I feel that I’ve put some of myself into several of the characters. If I had to choose, I suppose I’d pick Shauna and Shelby Kitt (yes – it’s impossible to pick one over the other for me, even though they are so different), because they are the heroes of the novel. Together, they go on the type of adventure I longed for as a kid! They get to see places one only dreams of, and learn some powerful lessons about themselves and the nature of teamwork, friendship, and courage.

7- Where's your favorite place to write?

I like to write sitting on the sofa, watching the trees sway back and forth outside. I especially love the late afternoon light on the leaves. Nature inspires me, and so I always write best when I can see it.

8- What’s your favorite book to read? And why?

I don’t know if I have one book I can single out as a favorite. Growing up, my favorite book was Michael Ende’s Neverending Story. I also loved the stories of Monteiro Lobato (a Brazilian author). Other favorites were The Lord of the Rings, The Chronicles of Narnia, the Harry Potter series, and The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.

9- What's your favorite genre of book to read?

Young adult fantasy.

10 - Is there anything that you would like to say to future indie writers?

You have to write because you love it, because you can’t stand not sharing with others the things you imagine. If you do that, writing a novel can be the most satisfying thing in the world, regardless of whether your book sells ten copies or ten thousand!




Giveaway time!

Marchesi is giving away a copy of her new book Shelby and Shauna Kitt and the Dimensional Holes

Rules to win:

follow my blog via GFC (suscribing by email is optional)
and leave a comment with your email address down below.

The giveaway will end May 31 at midnight

Check out my review of the book here




Dont forget to check out P.H.C. Marchesi's blog:
check out her blog here

and facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Shelby-and-Shauna-Kitt-and-the-Dimensional-Holes-PHC-Marchesi/112676675469258%3Efacebook


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