Interview with fantasy author Henry Mitchell

Wrapping the week up with me is fantasy author Henry Mitchell. We’re talking about his new magical realism novel, The Winged Child.

During his virtual book tour, Henry will be awarding a $25 Amazon or Barnes and Noble (winner’s choice) gift card to a lucky randomly drawn winner. To be entered for a chance to win, use the form below. To increase your chances of winning, feel free to visit his other tour stops and enter there, too!

Bio:
Henry Mitchell reads and writes in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina.

He has written five novels and two collections of short stories.

Welcome, Henry. Please tell us about your current release.
The Winged Child is a fairytale for grownups about a little girl who might know how to fly, an innkeeper who might be a machine, a neurobotanist who might be a dragon, and a politician who might be the end of the world as we know it.

What inspired you to write this book?
Millicent McTeer is the daughter of two characters I met in my third novel. I wrote a short story about her. It wasn’t enough. Perhaps I am in love with Millicent.

Excerpt from The Winged Child:
“Do you have wings, Dad?”

“Sure I do. Runs in the family.”

“So, why don’t you ever fly?”

Joshua shot her a convincingly wistful glance. “Grownups aren’t allowed to fly in this country, Angel. Otherwise, on special occasions, like birthdays, I just might.”

What exciting story are you working on next?
My current work-in-progress, Among the Fallen, is a novel about the further (mis)adventures of Wendl VonTrier,a púca, shapeshifter, benevolent prankster, who is Millicent McTeer’s mentor and guide in The Winged Child.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?
I worked as a sculptor and painter for fifty years. When I was diagnosed with macular degeneration, approaching age seventy, I wanted to spend my last chapter doing something I could get better at. My wife suggested I write a novel. So I did. At eighty-one, I’m still at it, still learning how.

Do you write full-time? If so, what’s your work day like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?
I get up around four, write for three or four hours, have breakfast, and weather permitting, take a walk in the woods or work in the garden. After lunch, I’ll write some more until supper around seven. Then I’ll read for an hour or so before bed. That is the routine, often interrupted by unscripted adventures.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
I like to stand while I write.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
As a child, I wanted to be a painter, and for fifty years, I was.

Links:
Website | Facebook | Amazon Author | Amazon | Barnes and Noble

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