Today, Feathered Quill reviewer Katie Specht is talking with Mika Mathews, author of Rowan's Gambit (The Winterland Chronicles Book 1) .

FQ: Tell our readers a little about yourself. Your background, your interests, and how this led to writing a book?

MATHEWS: I have been writing for around eleven years, though I always wanted to write ever since my grandmother told made up stories. It kept me alive during some very rough times in my life.

I have both bipolar and OCD, both have had a tremendous impact on my story telling. Not having full control over myself, my mind... it is the key to many storylines.

This book, more than anything, was inspired by my love of anime and fantasy. The three person team, the power of friendship, magic and more. I also adore the use of immersion so that played a part.

FQ: Have you always enjoyed writing or is it something you’ve discovered recently?

MATHEWS: I have always loved story telling, but now it is my passion in a more active sense and that means everything to me. I stopped writing over the last year, dealing with undiagnosed OCD. Being treated has allowed me to write more.

FQ: Tell us a little about your book – a brief synopsis and what makes your book unique.

MATHEWS: This book is something special, inspired by Anime/Manga and Young Adult fantasy stories like Percy Jackson, it is a story unlike anything I've written. It is a story of personal growth and power, of three people's rise to peace and power. To face a world of nepotism and war.

Is it short? Yes, but I was dealing with severe OCD issues. I am working on a sequel that is going to be much longer, to round out the flaws of this one.

FQ: What was the impetus for writing your book?

MATHEWS: A lot, mostly this weird idea I had for floating continents, and an Earth where magic was developed randomly. I wanted to see where it could be adapted to.

FQ: Please give our readers a little insight into your writing process. Do you set aside a certain time each day to write, only write when the desire to write surfaces, or something else?

MATHEWS: I write a lot, but it is random but I am working on creating a schedule for my writing. Ideas come to mind a millions times a day, I record them on my phone but the actual writing is unique to the moment.

FQ: What was the hardest part of writing your book? That first chapter, the last paragraph, or something different?

MATHEWS: Consistency, with my life and mental health issues is makes it hard to write in a more normalized fashion but I am making progress.

FQ: What is your all-time favorite book? Why? And did this book/author have any influence over your decision to become an author?

MATHEWS: Anything written by Garth Nix or Christopher Paloni.... period. Their novels make me think, considering the world anew and just change my perspectives. I love everything about them. Though I have recently gotten into Audiobooks, specifically written by Blake R. Wolfe... those got me back into reading period.

FQ: Did your family & friends encourage you to write your book?

MATHEWS: Yes, none more than my partner. He recognizes how my moods and struggles affects my ability to write and vice versa. He cares more than anyone else. I could never have gotten so far without him.

FQ: Did the story change as you wrote the book?

MATHEWS: Yes and no, more like the path changed more than the story. Where I was going less than what I wanted to write. That ALWAYS happens.

FQ:  Was the plot worked out completely before you started or did it evolve as your wrote?

MATHEWS: It evolved, but the end goal is the anchor for a story. At least for me. Knowing a general ending allows me a lot more clarity.

For more information about Rowan's Gambit (The Winterland Chronicles Book 1), please visit the website: https://books2read.com/u/bWYddD