Your life journey proves that home isn’t just a place, but a creative space you carry with you, whether you’re writing in Scotland, in the Algarve or drafting poetry at 30,000 feet. Welcome, Marje, and thank you for sitting down with me today.
On Round Trips
Q: What first inspired your now regular ‘jumps’ between Edinburgh and Tavira and how do the contrasting atmospheres of Scotland and the Portuguese Algarve influence your creative process?
Marje:
The trigger came post covid. My husband, David, and I had always considered living abroad, so this was our chance! We’d visited often with our two daughters, and we’d enjoyed spending time there, including charming Tavira, which became our Algarve choice of temporary residence.
In Edinburgh, Scotland, there are many open mic opportunities, writing workshops, attending authors and poets, and numerous events to inspire and entertain. At a recent poetry event at Toppings Books in Edinburgh, I discovered Fower Pessoas in Scots, by Colin Bramwell, ‘it doesn’t contain faithful translations,’ and is ‘more like an adaptation,’ of Portuguese Poet, Fernando Pessoa, ‘his Caledonian connections,’ and Álvaro de Campos, Ricardo Reis and Alberto Caeiro! I’ve had such fun reading it in a Scottish drawl with my family! Other poetic stimuli include unusually named coffee places, the Edinburgh Festival, the botanical gardens, and the city’s art and culture scene, with its imposing castle providing all the cultural and intellectual backdrop needed.
In the Portuguese Algarve, I often focus on the demands of my long fiction. But of course, the wonderful beaches and coastlines pull me away and capture my poetic heart too. I’ve enjoyed writing short pieces about little dogs I’ve met in the Algarve. Chalkie is my favourite; she’s such a character who I met via my tai chi class. You can read about her on my blog here: Advent story – M J Mallon YA Author and Poet
With several long fiction works in progress: one novel which will complete my YA fantasy, The Curse of Time series, one early concept in development – a romance/mystery set in Tavira, and a Halloween-style vampire tale, I’m never without something to do!
On Momentum
Q: Travelling between two different countries multiple times a year can be demanding; how do you manage to maintain your writing momentum while constantly on the move?
Marje:
It can be demanding, but I have an excellent work ethic. I write poems on planes! Travelling is a wonderful impetus for ideas. When you’re on the move, whether it’s a bus, train, boat or plane, you can observe, listen to conversations, and find new characters! It’s a great way to pass the time productively. The major difficulty I find in writing momentum is the competing needs of marketing, which always pull you away from what I want to do, and more recently family needs, which are important and becoming more paramount.
On Books
Q: For readers who have yet to experience your work, which of your books best captures the multinational spirit of your life?
Marje:
No single book, but various locations appear in all of them. Notably, the sculptural chronophage clock creatures (Cambridge) and artist Anya Gallacio’s crystal grotto (Wilkieston, Edinburgh) appear in The Curse of Time series. The peaceful timelessness and magic of the Cambridge Botanical Gardens, you’ll find in Mr. Sagittarius Poetry and Prose. Memoir memories (pre-Portugal) of Edinburgh, Cambridge, Hong Kong, and the Caribbean appear in: Do What You Love. During the pandemic, I published an international anthology of creatives entitled This is Lockdown, and my short pamphlet of poems, Lockdown Innit: Poems of Absurdity. My most recent poetry collection, Shh Purely Poetry, includes quirky observations and sensual imaginings in Manchester, Brighton, Blackpool and Edinburgh. In my forest collection, The Hedge Witch and the Musical Poet, amongst other forest and nature ruminations, you’ll find me running away from orangutangs in the jungle in Malaysia!
On Inspiration
Q: How did your personal interest in alternative therapies, Tai Chi and crystal magic inspire the core magical systems in The Curse of Time series?
Marje:
When I was younger, I studied reflexology and aromatherapy and was a therapist for a time. Crystals and alternative therapies have always fascinated me. So, it’s no wonder that the crystal grotto inspired me to write about the magical abilities of Krystallos girl Amelina in the Curse of Time series. Amelina’s crystal-infused paints bring the creepy-looking caretaker Eruterac to life, and Leanne, a wise mentor, guides her selection of wizard crystals from the magical crystal cottage. Amelina must learn their properties and vulnerabilities to transform into the woman she’ll need to become. As the series progresses, Ryder’s shadow demon forces threaten the safety of her family and ultimately the world. So, the final in the series (with the dragon chronophage), which I’m working on, is best described as a tale of light and dark forces, magic, mystery, adventure, sword and sorcery!
On Kyrosmagica
Q: Your main online presence, Kyrosmagica Publishing /Blog, celebrates the spiritual realm, nature and mystical ideas; how much of your own inward journey or mindfulness practices leak into the inner lives of your characters?
Marje: I studied a short course in mindfulness whilst I was working in Cambridge in the UK. It zooms in on the minute details, which perhaps others might miss. For instance, the twin brothers in Mr. Sagittarius were the result of a brief but meaningful observation in a café. Aspects of their interaction, their dress sense, and obvious care for each other and the natural world spoke to me. So, yes, I’m sure my love of the spiritual realm, nature and the mystical sneaks into the inner lives of my characters. At heart, Amelina is a poet, artist, and musician; she intends to care for and nurture the world, as we poets, artists, musicians, and creative folk always do!
Online presence: https://mjmallon.com/
MJ Mallon’s books so far: https://amoz.onl/79L
