Jamie Merril

Tell us a little bit about yourself, your hobbies and interests.

I grew up reading a book a day, and I currently survive off coffee and walks. Beyond that, I'm really not that interesting, trust me!

When and why did you start writing books?

I started writing books when I was a child, but I gave it up for a while. Life got busy and suddenly I was a lame adult with a half-forgotten sense of adventure. It's been a worthwhile journey getting back into using my imagination, and I've really felt younger mentally, which is insane because I"m not that old to begin with.

What made you decide to tackle writing as a career?

While it's technically not my main career, I have always loved writing, so it was a no-brainer for me. The characters needed out of my brain, so I obliged. Consider it a favor to them, really.

Which one of your books or characters is your favourite?

Professor, from The Druid's Son, is probably my favorite character. I wrote him to be a little undervalued, but there's so many layers to him as a person (er, elf) and I hope people go on the journey to discovering him and loving him as much as I already do!

Which one of your books was the hardest to write and stretched you the most as a writer?

I've written other books, but The Druid's Son was hard in every conceivable way. I wrote it under a terribly short deadline with absolutely no idea what I was even writing about. I got a cover, was told to write, and just... kinda... went for it. I love where I ended up, but I've grown SO much since I started it.

Who is your favourite author and book?

This is a hard one for me. I think my all-time favorite book is The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster. I read it for the first time on vacation with my family, and I have vivid memories of reading it for the first time under my covers, pages lit up by a tiny green flashlight as the sound of the ocean filled my ears. Yeah, it's always been a favorite.

What book are you reading right now?

Currently re-reading Harry Potter and The Chamber of Secrets

Where do you get your inspiration for your books?

For my current book, I actually pulled all of my inspiration from my book cover, but generally I get inspiration from dreams or tiny moments of time, like when you sit at a cafe and the light hits just right... yeah. I love those moments.

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

Playing with my dog, Waffle!

Do you have any new books in the works?

I do! I can't wait to continue the next book in The Fate of Shadows Series. I already have the cover, title, and I've started plotting so... it's happening! (ahh!)