Roslyn Muir - The Chimera's Apprentice - Author Interview (Q&A) - Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books #37
- The Chimera's Apprentice is the first book in the series. How would you best describe what we can expect to encounter in this story?
The Chimera’s Apprentice is told in the first-person point of view. We’re in Kyra’s thoughts from when she first lives on Earth and is then whisked away to another dimension. It’s a fantasy adventure story of new worlds and incredible creatures. But it’s also a story of a fractured family. Kyra’s dad has been missing for years and then she suddenly meets him again and discovers he’s the ruler of a distant land—which makes her a princess. But Kyra’s not satisfied with that and sets out to rescue her mom who’s been kidnapped by the Raturro—a group of rebels out to bring down the ruler.
- How do you go about making a series of books have a distinctive edge? Do you think other writers have influenced your books and your writing?
I think that books in a series should be connected but also have the ability to stand alone. I tried to achieve that in both books, as well as the upcoming third and last book in the series, The Last Murch. I was influenced by Hunger Games and Harry Potter which are both extremely popular series. I think the huge, distinct worlds were what influenced me the most, but also the idea that you can continue to add new characters to each book. I’m aiming to go deeper with the characters, to discover more about them and the history of the Raturro.
- I'm a very big fan of both book covers in the series, who produced the fantastic illustrations for these, and do you think they get the message about the story across to potential new readers?
I also love the covers! I belong to many writers’ groups on Facebook and saw a cover with an interesting dragon on it. I asked the author about the artist and got her name: Elena Dudina, who lives in Spain. (https://www.elenadudina.com)
I wanted the covers to really pull in the reader and entice them—that’s the cover’s job, of course, but I also wanted it to be one of those covers that you just stare at and notice new things over time. We’re working on the cover for book three right now. I’m so excited about it I’ll probably release it early!
- The main character is called Kyra a reluctant princess of Antiica, do you think she would change any of the outcomes in the story?
Kyra becomes a hero when she rescues her mom in book one, but not all is perfect at the end of the story. A war is looming in the land. Kyra is only 13 and while she has some powers at her disposal, the war is another thing entirely. She carries the guilt that her family is responsible for all the bad things on Antiica. Yes, she would like the problems solved, but she needs to earn that victory first!
- You also write for television and screen, how does this help (or hinder) your writing process as a children's author? Do you have any tips you could share with us?
I think my screenwriting career has given me the confidence to tackle a novel. Screenplays are leaner than books, less adjectives and descriptions are very plot oriented. So, I’ve learned to be a plotter and to make sure my protagonist is active and surprising. I think I’m also good at squeezing everything out of a scene and creating exciting cliffhangers at the end of chapters. If I had any advice for writers, it would be to plot, plot, plot!
I outline my story and know what my characters’ goals are, but I don’t have a chapter-by-chapter synopsis. I just keep building to the plot points. There’s a saying in screenwriting: You have to kill your darlings! That means that you’ll write a lot of great stuff, but often a brilliant idea will paint you into a corner. Sometimes you have to let them go and stay on the path you planned out.
- You were born in Scotland and grew up in Vancouver, Canada; both places have wonderful landscapes. Have these inspired any part of the story or the series?
Yes, I’ve spent a lot of time in the woods and mountains, so it is my go-to location. I also have a giant monkey-puzzle tree in my yard, and I’ve made it an important memory for Kyra.
- What can we expect from your next book The Stone Traveller?
Kyra’s adventure continues to a far nestling as she tries to protect her Raturro friend Mercy from the evil rebel leader, Majellan. Kyra encounters serpents and interferes in the customs of the local Raturro. She’s still learning how to control the chimera that she’s connected to, and the results are disastrous. There are some exciting revelations about Mercy, but I won’t spoil it here;)
https://www.instagram.com/rosmuir/
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