What’s the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Try Not to Die: In a Dark Fairy Tale (Book 10)?
My coauthor, Evan Baughfman, came up with this adventure. I just tagged along and helped with some guiding. Evan, who is a middle school teacher, has always loved fairy tales and sharing them with others. When I asked him what kind of Try Not to Die he wanted to write, he had no hesitation telling me we were headed off to the Wild Woods.
If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of Try Not to Die: In a Dark Fairy Tale (Book 10), what would they be?
“Lions and Tigers and Bears, Oh My.” from The Wizard of Oz.
What’s your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?
Horror. Most definitely.
What books are on your TBR pile right now?
The only books I have time to read are those that I’m about to work on in Try Not to Dies. I have work by Angel Van Atta, Mike Salt, Andrew Najberg and Robert Essig waiting for me to read.
What scene in your book was your favorite to write?
Death scenes are generally my favorite scenes to write, but I can’t remember which of these I had a hand in creating. And with over two dozen deaths, it’s hard to have a favorite. But I’ll go with Tasty the Dwarf.
Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)
I have five cats and always find one or two either curled up on my lap or tucked away in my jacket to keep my belly warm. I also have a demon who watches over me.
Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?
Every day I try to appreciate that it could be my last. I acknowledge my loved ones could just as easily pass. I then spend the day in a much happier place thinking that those life insurance policies might actually pay off 🙂 But seriously, looking at mortality helps me appreciate what time we do have.
If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?
I’d love for them to walk away with an overall feeling of happiness. I want these Try Not to Die books to be a lot of fun that you want to tell your friends about.
Mark Tullius is the author of the new book Try Not to Die: In a Dark Fairy Tale (Book 10)
Connect with Mark Tullius
Author Site
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