Interview with fantasy author Chad L.E McGhie

Today’s special guest is fantasy author Chad L.E McGhie to chat about his new epic, Legend of the Tragik.

During his book tour, Chad will be giving away a $15 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:
Chad L.E McGhie, also known as Chad W. McGhie, is a diverse and exciting entertainer from Alberta, Canada. A father of five, author, and hip-hop musician, his life is full of adventure and excitement that he only hopes translates into his creative works. Whether you are enjoying his music, attending a performance, or now reading his novels, Chad L.E McGhie aims to please his audiences wherever they may be.

You can find Chad L.E McGhie on YouTube, streaming platforms, most social media websites, as well as www.everestingenuity.com.

Chad sincerely hopes you enjoy the journey that is Legend of the Tragik, and thanks you for coming along.

Welcome, Chat. Please tell us about your current release.
Legend of the Tragik is a high fantasy epic that will be familiar to established readers of the genre. What they will not expect, however, is the dramatic turns and emotional weight of the story they will be experiencing. A wild and wondrous tale, Legend of the Tragik offers a view of humanity that is harrowingly real, set in a fantasy world.

What inspired you to write this book?
I honestly remember the exact moment I was inspired to write Legend of the Tragik: I was twelve years old, and having a shower at home in our acreage. The word ‘tragic’ just hit me like a bell, and from there, I crafted a story about a tragic hero. I wrote the very first version by hand in a green binder, before converting it to a word processor and publishing the rough version whenever I was seventeen. Over the years, I was never satisfied with what I had released, and always wanted to revisit the world. The COVID pandemic offered a lot of free time, and the opportunity to finally see it realized.

Excerpt from Legend of the Tragik:
“Funeral preparations are being made for those that did not survive.”

“I feel…I do not feel that injured, considering,” Hinro nodded slowly, replying as he rose, scratching his head awkwardly. Amy had a shocked gaze upon her, and people were glancing at them nervously now as they passed by… some longer than others. “I apparently made an impression.”

Standing with him, Amy’s face hardened. “Despite your inability to explain how you did it, I suppose you are the hero of the night. If it was not for you, none of us would have survived to see the morning.”

It was difficult to convince him of that, however: the grief was too heavy in his heart. Hinro looked around at the death that surrounded them, shaking his head. “I am no hero.”

As they made their way towards their home on the hill, debris was strewn in every direction. Some gave Hinro a nod and a quick word of condolence, making sure that he was well and his wounds were not too grave. “It is miraculous you are even standing,” a wounded soldier commented as they passed, eyes wide with an admiring fear.” Barging through blades and blunted weapons…you felled countless enemies. You are worthy of your father’s name.”

Nodding in thanks, Hinro could say nothing more, tears swelling as they pressed on.

It was somehow more peaceful at the top of the hill, the noise of the city below their earshot. As the two siblings walked into their house, a shocked look upon their faces that it had been unharmed by the battle and flames. They sat down at the empty table, the interior of their home eerily quiet and hollow.

What exciting story are you working on next?
I have long pictured Legend of the Tragik as a part of a long series, so I am hard at work envisioning and crafting what the rest of it will be like. I have a sequel to the original penned, although I imagine that it will become the third novel in the series with some of the changes I have made to the new version.

As I am writing, my other computer has the last chapter of my modern drama Hot Pretty Blues open. It is a massive project and undertaking, as it is not only a novel, but an entire hip-hop album that is composed, produced, and engineered by me. Putting together the pieces of this idea will be a great challenge that I am excited for.

Beyond that, I am working on a novel adaptation for a client’s film script in the U.K that has me ecstatic. I also have many other fantasy and science fiction worlds brewing within my brain.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?
I knew in the third grade that I wanted to be a writer, as I had fallen in love with all of the short stories we were being assigned to write.

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 do not write full time – even if I attained a high level of mainstream success, I think I would still want to do work or do something with my day. Right now, I do courier work with SkiptheDishes, DoorDash, and Instacart, along with my music. Not only that, we offer special event services through Everest Ingenuity that tend to keep me rather busy throughout the year. On top of it all, I am in university to hopefully obtain my English degree, and help kids learn how to find their own talents one day. Whether it is through philanthropic work or through teaching, kids need help everywhere.

Finding time to write is sometimes difficult, but having an incredibly supportive family certainly helps! They allow me the time and space to flourish. Without them, I would be nothing.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
I would say that my most interesting writing quirk is hard to define, as I have a lot of apparently odd habits that my family continuously reminds me of. I’ve just become accustomed to being the weird one in the room – so I suppose I’m just a quirky guy. I’m notoriously bad for having too many projects at once (completing a modern drama novel now, writing another one for a client, nevermind my music and Legend of the Tragik). Having a coffee and peace and quiet is certainly helpful on the habitual side, and I strangely thrive in chaos: the more I have going on in my brain, the more productive I am.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
As a child, I always knew that I wanted to do great things, and writing became a focus early on. I certainly have other interests as well, but they all stem from the creative bones that make me bounce around, endlessly searching for the next level of my imagination. While I have become the writer I always wanted to become when I was a child, I am currently taking my degree so I can become a teacher, hopefully enabling other kids to find their own creativity.

Anything additional you want to share with the readers?
If you are a fan of hip-hop music, or just looking for something different to listen to, search up Chad L.E McGhie on your favorite platform of choice (Spotify, Apple Music, Youtube, etc.) and feel free to check out some of my music! Not all of it is family-friendly, just a warning. Whether you enjoy my novels, or my music, or a bit of both, I appreciate your time and attention as an audience member. All of my works, current and future, can be found at www.everestingenuity.com.