Happy Wednesday everyone. This week I want to say a big hello to fellow Author Mike Lopez. I had the pleasure of meeting Mike through one of the writing groups we belong to Queer Sacramento Authors Collective (QSac) find out more about the group here.
Without further ado let’s get to my interview with Mike Lopez.
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Welcome Mike. I’m so glad you were able to stop by. Now before we get started please tell everyone about yourself (something not in the bio):
I am a Gemini, raised the Hawaiian way, the baby of the family, traveled half the globe, am an INTJ, believes in the Native American way, enjoys being the Historian, breathes X-men comics, and relishes being creative.
I know you write Young Adult Novels (mainly girl power books) and poetry, what got you interested in these types of genres?
The reason I chose young adult novels (mainly girl power books) is from a children’s literature class I took in college in the late 80s. The teacher set up a two-day assignment up. “Think of a series where a boy/teen is the main character/protagonist.” It was an hour class, and we filled up the chalkboard. (Yes, boys and girls, I am dating myself talking about what we had to put up with in the olden days). Day two, it was the girl’s turn. We tried and tried and only came up with four. (My addition was Nancy Drew from the 60s). That was an AHA moment. That was the teacher’s point. “How is this fair? This is for your generation to figure out.” This stuck with me.
For poetry, it was discovering e. e. cummings, the rule breaker, that did it for me. I was fascinated with him. How could he do this? How is he published? Why did he do this? That last question really sent me on my journey. I researched the man. I read most of his poetry. I found my holy grail, the black sheep of poetry. Your art doesn’t have to fit in a box, follow the rules, or make sense. That was bold and daring. I wanted to be like him. I was inspired to try.
Regarding your Zoey Le Mar series, what can you tell us about the books and about the series? What can we expect to see in these books? What makes them special?
I lovingly refer my books as the Girls of the Traveling Pants adventure in the Harry Potter realm. The specialness is that smart, sassy, multicultural girls are the main characters and deal with the unsuspected reality of magic, mayhem, and monsters. They are female heroines upfront and center, role models if you may. Ready or not, they are tried and tested. They have to figure it out, fight, stay alive, and get back home, relying on themselves and each other. It is gritty and edgy. Their plans work and fail. It is trial and error. The consequences are grave and deadly. It is truly about girl power.
Staying with the Zoey La Mar series a moment, what are your plans for the series? How many books do you have planned for the series? When you think about the series, where would you like to see it go; a TV Series, a movie franchise, or something else?
The plan for the Zoey Le Mar series is to eventually do five books. One for each of the girl’s ethnic heritages and the last one to be a great conclusion to all the magic, mayhem, and monsters. I would love to see it go to a cartoon movie series since I would love to have all the magical effects be main stage and not be cut out or cheap. That is hope one. For hope two, I would love for Peter Jackson to do it like he did for Lord of the Rings. No, I haven’t thought about this at all. LOL!
You also write poetry, which I’ve had a chance to read some, where do you find your voice to write such amazing prose?
I had a hard time expressing my feelings out loud. I internalized them, bottled them up. After a lesson in literature class my freshman year of high school, that teacher suggested that I write. In the early 80s, this was huge. I had an outlet. I channeled my pent up emotional upheaval into prose. Poetry became my diary. Later on in college and beyond, I used writing as therapy, getting it out of my system or to remember a great memory. The energy needed to go somewhere productive and constructive. My voice is the passion that I bring to most of my life. I need to be bold and authentic. Also, I keep these quotes from Eleanor Roosevelt around to push and remind me, “Well behaved women rarely make history,” and “Speak your mind even though your voice shakes.” For me, this means to share my gift even if I am not noticed. I stand up. I make the effort. I do this for me; everyone else is bonus.
When, you’re not writing, I understand you are a teacher, how has teaching affected your writing? Do you find that you are able to pull real life experiences from your students and incorporate them in your stories?
For the children’s book series, I have pulled a lot from my students over the years. My characters come for an amalgam of several student’s personalities, quirks, and mannerisms. Then, of course, I also use the great and invaluable out-of-the-mouth-of-babes nuggets that they say. With the first book, I let some of my students read brief chapters and give me feedback. I listened and tried to do as much as they suggested since they are my audience. I put in dedications for my inspirations and freelancing helpers.
What is something you want readers of your works to take away from your stories? Do you have a message you want them to take away?
With the children’s book series, each book has its individual theme about a character’s heritage. Book one brings the magical and monsters of merry old England. Book two contains atrocities done to Native Americans and their unrest. Books three has an old Chinese myth come to life as well as the New World. These books also included lessons on family relationships, friendship, keeping a secret identity, lying, making hard choices, and fighting for the greater good. The quotes on the cover hint to a theme or lesson. It is really typical preteen and teenage angst. LOL!
From the poetry, it is sharing what I have seen and experienced. How I reacted, dealt, pondered, lived with, and healed from my experiences. It is raw, powerful, humorous, beautiful, and sad. It is love and loss. It is yin and yang. It is life in all its glorious malevolence.
Finally, what do you have coming next? What’s up for Mike Lopez and his writing?
I am trying to finish a third book of poetry. Once I complete that, I will either do a gay amateur detective story or have a go at a gay sci-fi story.
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Well, that was my interview with author and poet Mike Lopez. A big shout of thanks to Mike for taking the time to join us today. If you have questions for Mike please leave them in the comments and he’ll respond. Check out Mike’s books and don’t forget to find him on social media and keep up to date with everything he’s up to. Until next time I hope you stay safe and have a great week.
About Mike Lopez:
Author Michael Lopez grew up as an Air Force brat and later became an elementary school teacher. Now he taps in those experiences in the first of a planned series of books which puts smart and sassy girls as forefront heroes. Michael drew from his many experiences growing up and teaching to come up with his characters and plot ideas.
Starting him on this journey, Michael recalled an experience from a college children's literature class that sparked this girl power idea. He was later reminded of that when his students requested more contemporary reading material with girls as main characters.
Also, Michael Lopez pens romance, heartache, life-lessons, and humor in a pair of raw books of gripping poetry.
Where to contact Mike Lopez:
Email Mike here: alldarron@hotmail.com
His website is here.
Find him on Facebook here.
Find his books here.