Today I'm thrilled to share with you all an interview with the talented Marcia Mickelson who happens to have written my new favorite book The Huaca (Review) I hope you enjoy her answers as much as I do.
Mandy - Where did you come up with the idea for The Huaca?
Marcia - My
kids and I were visiting my parents during a break for school, and I was
talking books with my mom. I had just finished writing a manuscript and was
mulling over story ideas. She suggested I write a novel about the mythology of
indigenous people. "Why don't you write something about Mayan myths?"
she said. My family is from Guatemala, and we are descendants of
the Mayan people.Right away I waved off her suggestion. I don't know why; maybe it's just what we do. However, it didn't take me too long to realize that yes, my mother was right! As I drove home that afternoon, I kept thinking about her suggestion. It is a two and a half drive home from my parents', so I had some great thinking time. I love to think when I drive. During that drive, I shut off any music or audio book I might have ordinarily listened to. All I wanted to do was think. And the ideas came full and fast. I could barely take in all the details that I had flying through my head, and since I was driving, I couldn't write them down. By the time I got home, I had the story mapped out in my head.
As soon as I got home, I wrote down some details, and then it was time for the research. I researched the mythology of several indigenous people before I settled on the Incas. Some of the Inca folklore seemed to fit the ideas I had been creating in my head during the drive. That is how my story was born--with one well-placed suggestion by my mother, a two and a half hour drive, and some Internet research.
As I delved further into the Inca mythology, I loved the idea of taking some facets of their mythology and adding my own invented ideas to that mythology. That story idea was born almost three years ago. A huaca (pronounced wa’ca) is an object that represents something revered. Huaca is a word from the Quechua language, a native American language of South America.
Mandy - Have you always been drawn to the genre YA?
Marcia - No, I have only been reading and writing YA for about 3
years. Prior to that, I read very little YA and only dabbled in reading YA. Now, I’m completely consumed by
YA. In fact, I can’t remember the last non-YA book I’ve read. It’s all I want
to read and write anymore!
Mandy - Do you see yourself in Ellie?
Marcia - I hadn’t really thought about that before. I didn’t really
write Ellie with myself in mind, but looking back now, I can see some
similarities. Ellie is someone who is more comfortable in the background, while
her best friend, Sarah is the center of attention, the one everyone wants to be
like. I’m like Ellie, more comfortable in the background.
Mandy - Do you have a favorite writing spot?
Marcia - I write all over the place. I don’t really have a favorite
spot. I use my laptop and will write on the couch, the kitchen table, the desk,
and in the car.
Mandy - Do you see The Huaca as a movie one day?
Marcia - I would love to see The Huaca be made into a movie one day!
Mandy - Do you have a favorite Muppet?
Marcia - I would have to say Miss Piggy. She has this complete
confidence that I lack.
Mandy - What’s one thing you can’t go a day without?
Marcia -I can’t go a single day without checking my e-mail.
Mandy - What are 5 items you never leave home without?
Marcia -My purse, my phone, my keys, my glasses, and my toe nails
painted!
Mandy - Vanilla or chocolate ice cream?
Chocolate! Chocolate is always the answer!
Mandy - Where can we STALK you?
Marcia -www.marciamickelson.com
Mandy - Anything you want to say to your readers?
Marcia -I hope you enjoy The Huaca. I had so much fun writing it,
and I hope you have fun reading it.
Mandy - Thank you so much Marcia for sharing your wonderful novel and taking the time to be here today! It's been a real honor.
About the author:
Marcia Mickelson was born in Guatemala and moved to the U.S. as an infant. She began writing her first novel her senior year of high school and finished it more than ten years later.Marcia graduated from Brigham Young University with a Bachelors Degree in American Studies. She is the author of Star Shining Brightly, Reasonable Doubt, and Pickup Games. Marcia's YA novel, The Huaca, will be released in May 2013. Marcia currently resides in Texas with her husband and three sons.
