Mikey Brooks is a small child
masquerading as adult. On occasion you’ll find him dancing the funky chicken,
singing like a banshee, and pretending to have never grown up. He is the
author/illustrator of several books including BEAN’S
DRAGONS, the ABC ADVENTURES
series, and author of the middle-grade fantasy-adventure novel, THE
DREAM KEEPER. He spends most of his time playing with his daughters and
working as a freelance illustrator. Mikey has a BS
degree in Creative Writing from Utah State University. He is
also one of the hosts of the Authors’
Think Tank Podcast.
VSG: I want to thank you for being my guest here on The Writing
Mama today.
Mikey: It is my pleasure. I am happy to be on a show that helps
promote writing for mommies and daddies.
VSG: What do you do to help balance your writing life with your
family life?
Mikey: The best thing for me to do is remember that have more
than one role in life and each of those roles requires my attention. Having
balance means to give everyone of those roles an equal portion. Never let
writing come in the way of being a good parent.
VSG: Can
you share with us a little about your current book(s)?
Mikey: Of Course! I started out
writing and illustrating picture books. I have several out including BEAN’S DRAGONS and ABC DAVENTURES. My newest book, THE DREAM KEEPER, is my first
novel. It is a middle-grade fantasy-adventure with a toe both in the real world
and the fantastic.
Dreams: Dorothy called it Oz,
Alice called it Wonderland, but Nightmares call it HOME.
When an evil shifter takes over
the gateway to the realm of Dreams, it falls to 14-year-olds Parker and Kaelyn
to stop him. Their only hope lies with Gladamyr, the Dream Keeper, but can they
trust a Nightmare to save their world?
VSG: What did
you find to be the most challenging part of writing your book(s)?
Mikey: The biggest challenge in
writing for kids is keeping their attention. With picture books you can do it
with art, with older kids you have to do it with action and humor. The struggle
with writing THE DREAM KEEPER wasn’t keeping up with the action—it’s got loads
of it. Keeping it funny was the challenge. It’s hard to find something funny in
a nightmare chasing you through an eerie world—unless that nightmare is a
psychotic clown throwing hungry rubber chickens; that makes it a little better.
VSG: What part of your book do you feel really stands out to you
personally?
Mikey: The one thing that came away from this book is the idea
of acceptance. The story is about three completely different people all wanting
to find acceptance. Parker and Kaelyn are teenagers trying to be themselves in
a social world that doesn’t promote such views. And Gladamyr is a reformed
nightmare always trying to overcome his dark past. Finding acceptance is always
a struggle for teens and I think this book speaks to that.
VSG: Do you have any other works in progress? Can you share a
little about them?
Mikey: I have several! The sequel to THE DREAM
KEEPER, THE DREAMSTONE has been sent off to my editor. I just finished up a
wonderful action-adventure book THE STONE OF VALHALLA which I am now starting
to pitch, and THE PRINCESS AND THE HOG, a picture book twist on a fairytale.
And ABC ADVENTURES: COOKING WITH KIDS, a collaboration with my wife, comes out
later this year. It’s been busy, but I like it busy.
VSG: What tips can you give writing parents with children at home
to help them see publication?
Mikey: It is very important to take time for all your roles in
life. Take time to be the best daddy or mommy you can be, take time to be the
best husband or wife you can be, and take time to be the best writer you can
be. If you want to write make it an important part of your life. If it becomes
important to you, then you will make the time you need. You’ll also find that
if you try not to sacrifice one important role for another you will be happy in
all of them. Set goals and stick to them. And never, ever, give up!
VSG: Where can the readers of The Writing Mama find out more about
and your writing?
Mikey: Well you can find me hanging about just anywhere online.
My website is http://www.insidemikeysworld.com/
and my blog is http://writtenbymikey.blogspot.com/.
For writing tips I recommend listing to The
Authors’ Think Tank Podcast. We have weekly episodes with special guests
including Top Literary Agents and New York Times Bestselling Authors. Check
that out at: http://www.foreverwriters.com/category/podcast/
VSG: Is there anything else
you would like to share with us about being a “Writing Mama or Dad”?
Mikey: Just remember who you are doing it all for and try to
include your kids in your writing too. Whether you brainstorm with them by
sharing part of your story, letting them help you draw characters, or giving
their opinion on your cover. You will find that kids are honest and intelligent
in their choices. And they don’t care if you are a big time author or a closet
poet as long as you are a good mommy or daddy. Happy writing!
EXCERPT FROM BOOK:
Parker was about to assassinate the general of the goblin
army. It wasn’t murder, it was an assignment. He tried to justify what he was
about to do as he jumped from the rooftop and landed just above the battlement
wall. It was the perfect spot to scout the camp. The goblins filling the keep
were everywhere, sharpening blades and axes or gathering weapons for the
impending battle. Parker noticed a large troll in the right hand corner of the
space below, hammering solidly on a sword large enough to split three men into
six. He spotted his target.
The general of the goblin army was a large
brute with golden braids hanging down his chest. He was the one who had ordered
the burning of Parker’s home village. The one who had ordered the death of
Parker’s family and friends. This monster, this villain, was the reason Parker
had set out on his journey to seek vengeance upon the unjust. This was the
creature responsible for Parker swearing allegiance to the Mightercore army,
who quickly gave him the role of assassin-scout.
Parker maneuvered his way down the wall,
careful not to move too fast or his invisibility cloak would lose its power. He
placed his foot in one crevice, then his hand in another. After a few moments
of skilled climbing, Parker found himself precariously positioned just behind
the golden haired brute, leaving only a small distance between him and his foe.
In a quick session tactic, Parker could ignite his blade with the magic of the
Mightercore and his target would be no more. He positioned himself to strike,
raising his sword and whispering the incantation that would release the blade’s
power—.
“Parker.”
He ignored whoever was calling his name; they
did not matter. All he saw was the villain before him. The completed spell
ignited Parker’s sword with a blazing haze of blue fire, and he had to act
fast.
“Parker!”
The loud call startled him and he swung too
late. The goblin general had already turned and he struck, forcing Parker back
against the rocky battlements. Parker parried the attack and thrust forward
with a low slash. The general sidestepped and lunged forward again. Parker
parried and rolled away from the wall. A lightning spell was the only magic he
had left. If he could find enough time to call out the incantation, he could
have the general radiating electrons from every appendage.
He rolled until he was a good ten feet from his
opponent, then quickly stood. Lifting his hand into the air, he called down the
lightning. The sky filled with a brilliant white light, and the crack of
thunder reverberated off the walls. Parker briefly closed his eyes then opened
them, praying he had hit his target. As the white dust began to clear, he made
out an image before him. He peered at it, his heart thumping.
The screen went black.
“Parker, I’ve called you three times. Now get
off that machine and go do your homework.”
AUTHOR
LINKS:
Website: http://www.insidemikeysworld.com/
Amazon Author page: http://www.amazon.com/Mikey-Brooks/e/B00B8ICZ4W
WattPad: http://wattpad.com/MikeyBrooks
BOOK
LINKS:
Paperback: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1939993032
Paperback Create Space: https://www.createspace.com/4260677
TITLE:
THE
DREAM KEEPER
ISBN:
Hardback: 978-1-939993-01-4, Paperback: 978-1-939993-03-8, EBook: 978-1-939993-02-1