You are in for a treat today. Not only has a new book hit my bedside table, but I have a little more insight into it and the author that wrote Mischief and Mayhem—S.D. Nicholson. As it is the first book in a series, this offers an opportunity to get in on the ground floor of a new world.
Meet the Faers and the world they inhabit. And meet Samuel, our author and host, as we step into a world of fantasy that is sure to pique your interest.
Mischief and Mayhem: Part 1 of the Faerlands Chronicles
Q:
This is your first novel – what got you interested in writing?
Nicholson: For the few who knew I was writing the manuscript; it was all about
an escape. I was a commercial real estate agent at the time and was enjoying
it, but it was a relentless grind, day in and day out. Stepping away from it, I
have a far greater appreciation for the brokers who survive and keep at it.
Mischief and Mayhem was my outlet into a world other than my own, dictated by
the rules I chose. I feel like a broken record, but I truly believe in the
concept of “escape through entertainment” and I decided then that I wanted to
not only escape, but become the creator of the worlds I escape into.
Q: Where did the idea for the The Faerlands Chronicles series come
from?
Nicholson: It’s difficult to narrow inspiration down to
specifics. From my own childhood adventures to reading Lord of the Rings and Game of
Thrones to “ticking away the moments that make up a dull day,” I want to
say everything has been an inspiration. I believe every interaction we have, be
it with others or in an activity, shape how we view the world. In this case, I
feel like the realm of the Faerlands is constantly growing and evolving as I too
learn and do more.
Q: Many fantasy books today are
aimed at teens. Why did you choose to write for adults?
Nicholson: Honestly, I find it easier to target adult interests more than teens or
young adults. Yes, adults are more complex in their judgment and preferences,
but they are also more accepting of new ideas. There are two key elements here.
First, there is a level of enjoyment that nearly everyone has for fantasy,
whether it be creature specific, magic, or just the general world of a
“Middle-Earth.” Second, people don’t like to say it, but humans are intrigued
by violence. Part of you enjoys the flutter of your heart when tension rises
and emotion overtakes judgment. You cheer for some characters to live and hope
certain ones to die. To make a long story short (too late), I felt I could ease
adults into my world and attach them to characters, before dousing them with
fantasy, and then be more violent and expletive along the way.
Q: Mischief
and Mayhem takes readers into a very complex world.
When you began writing, was it more around character development, or world
creation?
Nicholson: It was
always world building, which is weird to say now that I’m nearly finished with
Part Two and I know and love the characters to death. I knew who my characters
would be and their general attitude, but until you put the letters on the page
and make words come out of their mouths, you only have a description. I started
writing with the idea that I’m going to let my characters evolve on their own
and “grow into themselves” throughout the story. I said earlier that I wanted
to escape into the world, not necessarily walk with the characters. The
Faerlands is only one landmass in this world, with many others hinted at. I
felt that the reader needed to see what trees and foliage surrounded them in
the Woodlands. They need to smell the sweet aroma of honeysuckle and shiver
during a cold breeze.
Q: Mischief
and Mayhem introduces readers to a lot of new characters. Which one is your
favorite? And why?
Nicholson: This is
difficult, because I know more characters and more importantly, who dies
(insert maniacal laugh). My favorite is by far Ophelia. In short, she’s a
little badass. She’s far stronger than she realizes, but it comes at a great
cost. Her power forces her to relive tragic moments and nearly drives her
insane. I cannot even count how many hardships I’ve forced upon her, yet she
always has a positive outlook and refuses to let any loss or wrong doing define
her. It hasn’t been shared on socials yet, but I had my most recent tattoo be
of her. Soon it will be done with more imagery from different scenes and
fights. All in all, I couldn’t think of a better character’s mindset to tell
most of the story from.
Q: Mischief and Mayhem is the first book in
the series. When will the next one come out, and what can readers expect from
it?
Nicholson: Hopefully
soon! My goal, as I’m sure is any debut author’s, is to reach a point that I’m
constantly producing content. I moved to the Outer Banks at the beginning of
the off-season and right when I began the publication process, knowing that I
would have a lot of free time. I’m pleased to say that in the past six months
I’m just over the three-quarter’s mark with Part Two and it is full speed
ahead. As far as expectations go: more story. Part One ideally sets the stage
of the world and lays out what surface issues are occurring. Part Two brings in
a third storyline, following the forces in the Meadows as they defend against
the invaders. It also follows the antagonists more, learning a little about
their story. Overall, Part Two is a hurricane of emotion, violence, and
mysticism. More races are introduced and understood, along with even more
fantastic creatures!
Q: What do you want the reader
to take away from Mischief and Mayhem?
Nicholson: I want
them to take away the concept that even when the world looks bleak and empty,
you only need to turn the page and find a silver lining. Our characters face
far worse problems than any of us could imagine in day to day life, yet they
endeavor to persevere. I know it’s cliché, but our issues are always minute in
the grand scheme. Sometimes we just need to see others, whether they are
fictional or not, overcome something worse and inspire them to do better and
enjoy life for what it is. TLDR…don’t wait to be happy, go seek it.
