Michael R. Mennenga

 

Michael R. Mennenga (men-en-gay) was born in Nebraska and grew up on a small farm outside of Holdrege. Michael began writing in late 1986 and began working on his first book in 1988. Even though he remained unpublished for years, he became a proficient writer and by 1995 had written 2 young adult books, 1 novel, and was working on 9 other Sci-Fi/Fantasy titles. In 1995 he turned his attentions to writing on the Internet. In 1997 he joined a developing writing community and was soon asked to become part of the staff. Working with members, creating interesting assignments, and developing writing lessons he became a valuable part of the community. He worked as a staff member for less than one year before being asked to become the sites Executive Editor - overseeing all operations of the growing community. The site received recognition from Writers Digest and Forbes Publishing during that time, however, the release of his first book - Zac and the Valley of the Dragons - (published on Xlibris Press) forced his resignation as editor in late 1999. His second book - Mistress of the Dragon - (Published AmErica House) was released in 2001 and has quickly found a large audience. His latest book - The Valley of the Dragons: Dragon's Fire & Wizard's Flame - (Published Bedside Books) was released in 2002.

Michael and his wife Lorrie are now residents of Phoenix Arizona. He is a member of The Arizona Authors Association, and spends his time as host of his own internet radio show called "The Dragon Page" (http://www.dragonpage.com/). Along with his co-host Evo Terra, they broadcast worldwide on Book Crazy Radio (www.bookcrazy.net). The show features interviews with Sci-fi / Fantasy authors, publishers, and artists - and they discuss many other related Sci-fi topics, news, and events.You can learn more about Michael and his work by visiting his site: http://www.dragonpage.com/

 

"I found myself captivated by both the story line and your writing style. Your book mixed love, adventure, science fiction and a sense of reality. It has been years since I started reading a book and could not lay it down. My compliments and good luck on future books." Glen Clayton,Trading Review

 

"Part love story, part fantasy, part adventure, completely wonderful."
Debbie at Book Crazy Reviews

 

"Really enjoyed the book. It was a very good read." Fantasy Artists Boris Vallejo and Julie Bell.

 

 

Pageonelit.com: Where did you grow up and was reading and writing a part of your life? Who were your earliest influences and why?

Michael R. Mennenga: I was born and raised in Nebraska. I grew up on a farm and even spent 8 years farming. I am a country boy at heart - although, I dislike country music immensely - go figure. When I graduated High School, I never expected to want to do anything but farm. Because of this, I did not try to do very well in school. I did not read, and by the time I left school I was not very literate. I could read, don't get me wrong, I was just not very good at it. It all changed for me when I decided to go to college. Long story short, I lasted less than one semester. If you can't read the books, you can't pass the class. In High School, I was able to fake my way through with a D and C average, but this was college, you can't fake anything there. I was humiliated, and returned to farming. But something like that does something to you. I got mad, and began to force myself to read. It took a couple years, but I fell in love with books. In the end, dragons became my favorite subject to read. Anne McCaffery, changed my life with her dragon world. I hope to thank her for that someday.

 

Pageonelit.com: Why do you write?

Michael R. Mennenga: It was inevitable, I guess. Because I discovered reading so late in life, I think that I just wanted to give something back. Of course, that became another challenge. Reading a book is nothing like writing one. I think that the only reason I had a chance, was my imagination. I have always been a creative person, so making up the stories came easy, but writing them down so they were readable was hell. I had no idea what a paragraph was, what margins were, or even how to type. I just knew that I wanted to write. I worked on one story, which became my first book. It took me six days to write the story, and six years to edit it so that someone could read it and enjoy it. Now I am just so amazed that I can write, that I will keep doing for the rest of my life.

 

Pageonelit.com: Tell us about MISTRESS OF THE DRAGON - How is this book different from the previous novels you've written?

Michael R. Mennenga: Mistress was my second published work, but it was my first 'real' book. Zac and the Valley of the Dragons, taught me how to write; Mistress is the reward for my efforts. It is truly an amazing story (if I do say so myself). I fell in love with Dragons when I was teaching myself to read better, and it became my subject of choice. One day I was walking through a store and saw a computer game box with a winged girl on it. It got me thinking. How could such a creature come to exist. I had read books with such creatures, but they never really told you how they came to be: beyond the vague paragraph or two I mean. I read several stories with dragons, but none of them put a human and a dragon on equal terms. So I wrote one. Mistress of the Dragon is a love story, a tragic love story. The Dragon falls in love with a human girl, and they have a child. And before you ask - yes, they do have sex. I have never had a single person come back and tell me they did not like the book. It is unique to the genre.

 

Pageonelit.com: An interesting aspect of fantasy/sci-fi stories such as MISTRESS OF THE DRAGON is the unique names of the characters. (For example: Morana, Petrill, Dohan and Klipsok) How does one create great names like these --? Give us an example or two of how you came up with these characters names and how important to the stories are unique names?

Michael R. Mennenga: Every book I have written (there are nine of them by the way) come from dreams. All of them. I usually dream the key elements, then I sit down and outline a story from the dream - the rest is editing. Most of the names come with the dream, but I have a page of names that I keep on hand. If I think of a cool name, or hear one on TV/Radio/etc, I'll add it to the list. Saves time when you are in a groove and need a character name fast.

 

Pageonelit.com: What do you feel makes a good fantasy/sci-fi book/story? And why?

Michael R. Mennenga: Finding something original is key, but it is tough to be unique. Just about everything has been written before. If you consider the amount of books written and published every year it is hard to imagine there is anything left that would be considered 'original'. Even Mistress has probably been done on some level, I have just never seen it before. Write what you enjoy, someone else will probably like it as well.

 

Pageonelit.com: Tell us little about your previously published books. Do you have a favorite?

Michael R. Mennenga: Well, as I said before, Zac and the Valley of the Dragons was my first book. It is my favorite since it taught me how to write. However, I published it on Xlibris, and was rather disappointed with the final result. I pulled it out of print, rewrote the book, and have just recently republished it. The book has changed so much that I renamed it: The Valley of the Dragons: Dragon's Fire & Wizard's Flame. The book is perfect, and I expect to win awards with it. It has been a ten year labor of love to make this book what it is, but I had to get it right, since it is the first in a series of seven. The next book in this series is already in the final edit and should be out next year. The Valley of the Dragons: Yon and the Beast of Gareth will be the title, and it is the first book I will publish that does not have a dragon in it. Mistress of the Dragon was the second book that I published. I have already talked about that, so I will leave it at that.

 

Pageonelit.com: Now that you are an experienced published author - What advice can you offer for those writers who are working on their first book?

Michael R. Mennenga: Don't expect to become rich and famous as an author. The big names are not the norm in the publishing industry. You have to write because you love it, otherwise, you will be miserable. I will still write and publish my books even if I never see another dime. It is in my blood, and I will keep doing it.

 

Pageonelit.com: What has been your feedback from readers? What do they say to you about their interpretations of your books?

Michael R. Mennenga: The best comments I get are the ones that start out, "I wanted to hate this book, but I couldn't put it down." I send my book out to people that "don't do fantasy books." I have never had one come back and say they didn't like it - yet - knock on wood. If you can take someone that is 'sure they will hate the book' and turn them, what better testament to your story is there?

 

Pageonelit.com: Who are your favorite writers and why?

Michael R. Mennenga: I read everything, mostly sci-fi fantasy, but I read everything. From Bill Cosby to Robert Jordan. They spark my imagination, and make me dream. I don't limit the genre too much, cause I never know where the next "dream" will come from.

 

Pageonelit.com: What's next?

Michael R. Mennenga: I am writing the sequels to The Valley of the Dragons series, and am finishing up my first science fiction novel called The Gods of Mars. I hope to publish it in the next couple years. VotD is keeping me hopping though.

 

Pageonelit.com: What was the last book you read?

Michael R. Mennenga: I just finished rereading The Lord of the Rings. It 'is' the book that started the fantasy genre, so it is nice to go back and relive the magic of Tolkien.

 

Pageonelit.com: Do you have any hobbies? What are they? How do they enhance your writing.

Michael R. Mennenga: I do a weekly radio show for Book Crazy radio,(www.bookcrazy.net) called (what else) The Dragon Page(www.dragonpage.com). It keeps me busy and I talk with some great people in the industry. I interviewed Boris Vallejo and Julie Bell a while back. That was a dream come true for me, as their work has inspired me more than anyone else ever has.