Do you have a special time to write, or how is your day structured to accommodate your writing?

I don’t have a specific time to write. However, once I sit down behind my computer, I work until the words stop flowing. Especially when I write my first draft the story lives in my head 24/7. I get the best ideas or scenes when I do other things. That can be as mundane as the laundry, or something inspirational like walking on the beach or in a forest. I love taking pictures, being creative in another way then writing—creativity instills creativity. Often, I go to bed thinking about something that needs to be resolved and wake up with new thoughts on the subject.

How do you think you’ve evolved creatively?

It took me many years to figure out what my writing style, and work process was. In the beginning, I followed many writing courses. They suggest doing things a certain way. That might not work for you though and can be very restrictive. By letting that go, it freed my imagination, I became more creative, and productive. Even though, I do find all the things I learned valuable. It allowed me to pick and choose what helps me, and sometimes changed my perspective. I guess writing is a lifetime journey, it’s important to stay open to input from outside.

What have you written so far?

I’m currently in the middle of writing my fifth book in the Madigan Chronicles, The Queen of Fairy. Book 1-4 are already published, so in between I work on promoting those. It will be a six-book series, I’m nearing the end. It will be strange and quiet in my mind once it’s all done. The Madigan Family has been living in my mind for a long time.

Do you work with an outline or plot sketch, or do you prefer to let a general idea guide your writing?

I do work with an outline, as I find it helpful and necessary as my story has many characters, and you want to make sure that all story lines are followed through. Having said that, I do like to be able to surprise myself, and have a free-flowing way of writing. You never know what nuggets fall out, while you’re in the writing zone. The ending of the series has changed from when I initially started writing. But now I have only one more book to go. Things are more set in place and there is less freedom for deviation.

What advice would you give to aspiring authors?

Just start writing. It takes time to find your form, and voice. The longer you wait, the longer it takes. Find people around you that give you constructive notes and inspire you to do better. The writer’s life has a lonely rep, but you can’t do it without others. To find the people that help you along is a process. I’ve had people giving me notes in a way that I wanted to throw my story in the trash, while others give the same notes in a way that you can’t wait to dive back in and make your story better. 

Can you share with readers a little bit about your latest book?

My latest book is The Cup the Madigan Chronicles #4. In each book I highlight other family members, and in this book one of the main story lines is about Freya and Luna, two sisters in the family that don’t get along at all. During their journey in this installment, they learn that there’s always another side to the story. And in the end, they help each other heal, and with that overcome their mutual resentment.

Another fun fact: it plays partly in Greenland. I was a co-director of a documentary A Greenland Story, for which I traveled there. Greenland made such an impression on me. That’s how the landscape, some mythology, and the lovely people, made it into my book series.

Who is your favorite character in your book and why?

I don’t have a favorite character. As I feel that as a writer, you’re all the characters. That’s one of the fun things about being a writer. Exploring character trades that aren’t yours. So, it’s impossible to have favorites! I love family dynamics and relationships—those play an important role in my books.

Do you listen to or talk to your characters?

I talk to my characters all the time. I have long conversations, it’s one of the ways I figure out the scenes in the story. What I didn’t realize is that I do it sometimes out loud. During the Covid period, my husband was home. After several weeks he asked if I could mention his name, so he would know when I was talking to him!

Tell us something unique about you.

I’m a witch. They always say to write about things you know. Although in my books I spice things up with a healthy dose of fantasy, some witchy things do stem from real-life practices.

Want to learn more about Marieke Lexmond?

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