Today we are very excited to share an interview with Author M.L. Fergus (The Fractured Kingdom Series)!
Meet the Author: M.L. Fergus
M.L. FERGUS is an award-winning author of books for kids of all ages. Her books have been translated into a dozen languages, optioned for film and adapted for stage. Her illustrated books include InvisiBill; The Day Santa Stopped Believing in Harold; You’re In Good Paws; Petal the Angry Cow; and the Weenie Featuring Frank and Beans early graphic novel series. Her previous young adult books include Ortega, Recipe for Disaster and The Exploits of a Reluctant (But Extremely Goodlooking) Hero. When not writing, Maureen runs, reads, bikes, bakes, works and hangs out with her husband, three kids and Buddy the Wonder Dog.
About the Book: The Fractured Kingdom Series
On the heels of a tragic discovery, Persephone was all but torn from Azriel’s waiting arms. She now finds herself desperately alone, in terrible danger and burdened by responsibilities she would do almost anything to escape.
~Author Chat~
YABC: What gave you the inspiration to write this book?
Many years ago, I read “The Other Boleyn Girl” and was instantly captivated by the medieval world. I went on to amass a personal library of over eighty fiction and nonfiction books about that time in history, and these inspired the Fractured Kingdom world of romance and adventure, danger and intrigue, castles and kings.
YABC: Is your main character like you?
Interesting question! I’m not sure – I like to think that if I held the fate of an entire kingdom in my hands, I’d be as courageous, loyal and fierce as Persephone, but we never really know how we’re going to react in a crisis until we’re faced with it, do we?
YABC: When did you know you wanted to be a writer?
The idea of being a writer didn’t occur to me until six weeks after the birth of my first child. Growing up, I’d been a math-and-science girl. At university, I got a science degree and then an MBA. After graduating, I worked in the aerospace and biopharmaceutical industries. Being at home with my new baby was amazing, but my brain felt like it was turning to mush. One night, my husband suggested that I try my hand at writing. The first time I stretched my hands toward the keyboard to write a story, it felt like I was slipping into pair of gloves that had been waiting for me my whole life. And the rest, as they say, is history…
YABC: How do you keep your ‘voice’ true to the age category you are writing within?
In addition to YA, I’ve written board books, picture books, graphic novels and middle grade novels. When writing, I keep in mind certain rules of thumb regarding appropriate word count range, theme choice and structure, but I don’t actually worry too much about keeping my voice true to the age category. Instead, I focus on discovering incredibly engaging characters and giving them space to find their voices. If I can do that, a story that works will almost always follow.
YABC: What type of scene do you love to write the most?
When writing a novel, I always carry vivid images of a few powerful, pivotal scenes in my head from the very beginning. These scenes act as beacons, drawing me and the story forward. Whether they’re death scenes or birth scenes, love scenes or battle scenes, they’re always my favorite ones to write because I have usually been waiting months to write them and am just so excited to be able to finally dig in.
YABC: What is your favorite reading space?
Definitely my cottage! Out back, we have a screened-in room tucked into a lovely little forested area. The air always smells like wildflowers and cedar, and there are so many birds that it is like being in an aviary. Watch out, though! Just this summer, I was enjoying a morning read and glanced over to see a huge black bear ambling past not three feet away from me…
YABC: What hobbies do you enjoy?
I like running, hiking, snorkeling, surfing, gardening, baking, reading (of course!) and travelling. Hobbies I’d like to add to that list in the near future include horseback riding, scuba diving and getting back into playing classical guitar.
YABC: What is your favorite holiday or tradition and why?
Every Christmas Eve, my family watches the George C. Scott version of “A Christmas Carol”. It is one of the most perfect stories ever written and I love watching it with my husband and kids because we’ve all memorized the entire movie, so the whole time we’re watching, we’re all calling out lines and laughing and generally being filled with good cheer. Those are definitely two of the happiest hours of my year.
YABC: What’s up next for you?
I’ve got a new graphic novel coming out next month and a new picture book coming out next year. I’ve got a lot of ideas for a new novel but writing it will probably have to wait because I recently promised my actress sister that I would help her write a one-woman play. I’m excited to see where that goes!
Title: The Fractured Kingdom Series, Prophecy (Book 1), Odyssey (Book 2), Destiny (Book 3)
Author: M.L. Fergus
Release Date: All Available for Purchase
Publisher: Tundra
Genre: Young Adult Fiction – Fantasy Romance
Age Range: 12+
