My special guest today is Leo Flynn to chat about his sci-fi space opera novella, Mara’s Awakening (Book 1 of The Mara Files).
Bio:
Leo Flynn writes short stories and poetry but is best known for science fiction. Mara’s Awakening, book one of The Mara Files, an exciting science-fiction series, is the first book Leo has published. When not writing, Leo loves music, food, hunting intriguing but useless ideas, lurking in nerdy internet corners, and taking photos. Visit the website, Facebook, or on other social media at @leoflynnwriter
What do you enjoy most about writing short stories?
I love the challenge of the length. To tell an engaging story in so few words is difficult to master and teaches you about writing and helps you learn your craft.
In some ways, they’re less intimidating to tackle than a novel, but it’s a lot harder to get them right!
Can you give us a little insight into a few of your short stories – perhaps some of your favorites?
This is the first book I’ve published, though I have written a few stories before self-publishing.
It’s called Mara’s Awakening, and it’s about one woman’s search for freedom and justice… on her own terms, set against the backdrop of a brewing interstellar war. It’s the first in a series of sci-fi short stories called the Mara Files.
What genre are you inspired to write in the most? Why?
Science fiction. It’s my favorite out of all the genres, simply because of how the sky is literally the limit. It’s fascinating to imagine how stories take place in the vastness of space and how space travel affects ordinary beings’ lives.
What exciting story are you working on next?
I’m working on the first in a sci-fi series of novellas about a young alien stranded in another galaxy and must work to survive and find her way back home. In the process, she discovers something incredibly sinister is going on behind the scenes in her homeworld.
When did you first consider yourself a writer?
Perhaps at age fourteen, though, I started occasionally writing at 12. I loved writing stories, and for a while, that was all I did in my free time, make up wacky adventures.
I still have those stories in the depths of my digital archives, and there they shall stay.
How do you research markets for your work, perhaps as some advice for writers?
I’m still very new to this, so I’m learning all the time. But I’ve found finding the bestsellers or experts of your niche and studying their techniques is a good idea. For example, how they run their social accounts and what their websites feature.
Creating a marketing plan is essential, and make changes to it as you discover new things.
What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
When I’m writing, I often make the expressions my characters are supposed to be feeling. Perhaps that helps me get into the mindset of their emotions, but I’m unsure if it helps or not.
I also love incorporating poetry into my work.
As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A librarian, funnily enough. I was a very keen reader when I was younger, sometimes that’s all I’d do on a weekend. I still love reading now, but I spend my time doing other things as well.
Anything additional you want to share with the readers?
Writing The Mara Files has been a labor of love, and I’m excited and relieved to finally have it out in the wild. If you do end up reading Mara’s Awakening, I’d love to know what you thought.
Thanks for being here today, Leo.