Ask the Author: Marie Powell
Answered Questions (5)
Marie Powell
Well, it really started on a family trip to Wales. We stayed on a sheep farm near Dolwyddelan Castle in North Wales. So, of course, we went exploring into the ruin of the castle, and it was set up like a self-guided museum with panels on Welsh history. We were struck by what had happened to the Welsh in 1282-4. Like, the Welsh weren’t allowed to remain in town overnight or to speak Welsh -- and the penalties were extreme. Places had been renamed with English names instead of Welsh ones. My kids are Metis through their father, and it seemed really similar to the treatment of First Nations in Regina in the last century. Yet everywhere we went, we saw the resurgence of Welsh language and culture. How could they bring back a language they had been forbidden to speak for 800 years? But they did. We even saw a Welsh town name painted over the English name on a highway sign. And all the signs we saw had Welsh first, English second. Kids in school were learning Welsh and people had to speak Welsh to get government jobs. I couldn't help but wonder how that could happen. Somewhere on that trip, the story began for me that eventually became the series, Last of the Gifted.
Marie Powell
I'll give you the short answer. Number One: Believe in yourself. Two: Make time to write, even if you have to write in the corners of your life. Three: Treat it like a job. Introduce yourself as a writer. Read a lot and read it like a writer, to figure out what they did and how they did it. And write a lot.
If you'd like the longer answer, please check here: https://mariepowell.ca/2018/01/07/fiv...
If you'd like the longer answer, please check here: https://mariepowell.ca/2018/01/07/fiv...
Marie Powell
Right now I'm working on the next book in the Last of the Gifted series. Check back in a couple of months to see where I ended up with it.
Marie Powell
It's funny, but I actually hadn't experienced writer's block until the first time someone asked me that question. But I'm over that now. The best and maybe only way to deal with writer's block is to keep writing. Write in a journal, write with a timer so you can't overthink it, write on a napkin so you know you can throw it away if you want. Just keep writing.
Marie Powell
Oh, good question! I've enjoyed so many fantasy worlds, although usually they're in the middle of a war or something so visiting might be awkward. Jade City, for instance -- Fonda Lee does such a great job of world-building -- but I'd probably have to hide in the streets. Maybe an invisible cloak would help? I'd definitely need one to slip into the realms of the Elves in Lord of the Rings and go exploring. Or those incredible houses at Leigh Bardugo's Yale University. There's so many. Give me an invisible cloak!
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