Interview with M. Clifford, author of Felinian

Hey everyone! Welcome to Mera’s YA Book List!

Today, we have author M. Clifford joining us for a interview. For my opinion on the first released novel in his series, Felinian, check out my review here.

Thanks for joining us, and for allowing me to interrogate (oops, I meant question) you!

On to the interrogation!

Mera:

Felinian tells the story of Katherine, a girl gifted with uncanny abilities, and nine lives. While there are a few books out on the topic of nine lives, as many people associate with cats, there aren’t many. What made you choose a topic that could be considered obscure, when placed next to the ever-present abundance of vampire, or werewolf novels?

 M:

Good question.  Mostly, I wanted to create something new.  I realize the cat woman genre has been done to some degree, but I wanted to approach the topic in a different way than my predecessors (and perhaps to raise the bar in terms of creativity).  There aren’t too many authors creating new, gothic monsters these days.  I figured it would be a challenge.  My “monster” is a high school girl.  Scary right?  Though she may seem to be the victim of unfortunate circumstances, the story will eventually reveal the dark side of the Felinian race.  I am very interested in those huge dynamic ideas being squeezed into the overstimulated, emotional mentality of a high school student.

Mera:

Felinian, which is number one in the Book of the Felinian series, is actually the 5^th installment of series. What prompted you to write this story in such a manner, with it being written out of order?

M:

Sometimes, stories are best relayed when you fast-forward to the middle and press play.  On one hand, you are missing a large portion of the overarching story.  On the other, Book Five begins the series in present day, introducing the most crucial character to the reader first.  I thought about calling FELINIAN “A New Hope”, but changed my mind at the last second (sorry for the cheesy Star Wars bit).  In the end, BOOK OF THE FELINIAN is like a three act play: four stories building the base of the mythology, then four stories increasing the tension on today’s stage, and finally four stories releasing tension and bringing overall resolution.  My hope is that people will appreciate the way it was released and will feel free to read them in order of publication date or chronologically.

Mera:

Eygptian mythology and lore plays a vital role in the lives of the characters of your novel, much more than the audience could realize by reading just this installment. Which of the many unusual Egyptian gods, or goddess would you choose to be, if you could?

M:

Hmm…didn’t see that one coming.  How about the Egyptian God of Not Procrastinating?  Don’t know if he exists.  If he does…boom.  That’s gonna be me.

Mera:

Which character in Felinian do you feel you most relate to?

M:

Not sure.  There’s a little of me in everyone.  I relate to Katherine because I also grew up in a very small, dead end neighborhood lost in a forest preserve, surrounded by married people without kids my age.  For that reason, I was cut off from making friends and often felt alienated.  Thankfully I never had to change schools like Katherine.  BUT, I mostly see myself in Boonch the cat – lying around all day, sleeping in the sunlight, and dreaming of dinnertime. 

Mera:

Have any of the characters been inspired by people you know or look up to?

M:

No, but Hector reminds me of a kid I grew up with.  Wicked smart and a great companion, but on his own planet.  Most characters in my books are a collection of multiple sources.  For example, in my novel THE BOOK, Holden is a mix of myself, my father and my brother.  That’s why I chose to give the character my own last name.

Mera:

In the novel, the idea of soulmates is introduced. What is your personal thought on the matter? Do you believe in soulmates?

M:

This may let a few people down, but I don’t.  I guess I did when I was young, but then you realize that life is less about fate and more about the individual choices we make.  That’s the interesting dichotomy for Katherine as the stories progress – this battle between her fate and her decision making.  If you believe in soulmates, right on.  Soulmates in this series represent a specific bond between a Felinian and a “mate”.  Though a Felinian has the capability to live forever if she is safe, there will only be one soulmate for her for all eternity.  You can see how that could make life difficult.

Mera:

Great answer. It would be horrible, at least for me.
Okay, let’s talk about some fun stuff!

If you could choose anyone in the world to write a book with, who would you choose and why?

M:

Joss Whedon.  He’s not a novelist, but he’s still my answer.  Why?  Because he’s awesome.  If you don’t understand, go out and rent Buffy the Vampire Slayer.  The series or the movie, doesn’t matter.  The man is a Jedi at balancing wit, drama, romance and gore (sorry for another Star Wars bit).  His timing is spot on every time.  In a perfect world, Joss and I would be best friends.  With a secret handshake and theme music and everything.

Mera:

Hilarious! Love Buffy, though I haven't seen it in years. 

Have you ever re-read a book? If so, which re-read book is your favorite?

M:

Yes, everyone should.  Typically the classics.  Which is great because they’re free in the public domain.

Mera:

Love this one! Write a haiku about your book!

M:

A girl with nine lives

Brings fear to Sleepy Hollow

Girls, hide your boyfriends.

Mera:

 Love that. I'll have to remember it!

If you could have written any book already in existence, what book would you pick?

M:

I wouldn’t.  If something strikes my fancy that much, I’ll just find a better way to write it myself.  Something that’s more me (and maybe better).  Hope that doesn’t sound arrogant or something. 

Mera:

You're hilarious! And that doesn't sound arrogant at all!

Unfortunately, however, we’ve come to the end of this interview! Thanks so much for joining me!
One more question!

Can you tell my awesome Listers where they can find your awesome novel, as well as more information about yourself?!

M:

Thanks for having me!  Your awesome Listers can find my novel and lots of useless author garbage on my website: www.m-clifford.com.  From there, if you want up-to-date info, check out the blog that I share with my wife called “A New Impressionism”:  anewimpressionism.blogspot.com  My wife is way cooler than me, so you’ll probably like her more in the end.  I’m good with that.

Mera: Lol, thanks M.
M. Clifford's Felinian is available on Amazon. Check out the next in the series, which is already out, entitled Fertile Crescent!