Tell me about yourself. What inspired you to write?
I’ve loved to read since I was ten years old, mostly science fiction and fantasy but other genres made their way in there too. I remember starting this spy script that I wrote with pen on paper and stored underneath my bed. The cat must have gotten to it at some point, because when I retrieved it one day (amongst other important items like lost socks and schoolbooks) the papers were totally shredded.
As far as the inspiration behind it, reading books written by other authors opened the gates to my own imagination and I wanted to put my thoughts down on paper. I simply loved to write. My series “Peacekeeper’s Passage” started that way when I was a teenager, in a spiral notebook that I still have. (Learned my lesson from the spy script!) It’s changed quite a bit over the years until I published it as you see it today, but it started all the way back then.
Describe your desk / writing space.
Messy. I know, I know. Clutter stifles creativity. But I practically live at my desk between writing and my day job. You will see a stack of bills, coffee mug on warmer my daughter gave me, Asian style dragon pencil holder my brother gave me, “thinking of you” cube from my wife…I guess I am surrounded by reminders from those I love and who love me, now that I think about it. Um, not the bills, though. There is no love lost there.
Do you have a writing routine or do you write when inspired?
I try to write whenever I have the free time to do so, inspired or not. Finding free time is always a challenge, so I don’t have the luxury of waiting.
What is your favorite meal?
My wife is an amazing cook, so I have quite a few favorites. Taking home cooked meals off the table (no pun intended!), my favorite food is pizza, but not just any pizza. Growing up in Brooklyn spoiled me here. The crust needs to be thin and crispy, the sauce robust, and the cheese plentiful.
Coffee or tea? Wine or beer?
Both, and both. They all fulfill different cravings or needs and are not mutually exclusive. Why limit yourself?
Describe yourself in three words.
Thoughtful. Curious. Imaginative.
How do you come up with the title to your books?
Luckily, titles have always just come to me, just like chapter names. I may toss a few ideas around in my head, but it doesn’t take me long to finalize what I want.
What was the hardest scene for you to write? Which scene was your favorite to write?
I can’t really answer this without giving away spoilers, but overall it’s difficult to write a scene where bad things happen to the protagonist as I’ve become emotionally invested in them. My favorites are usually the fighting scenes.
What inspired your book/series?
“Peacekeeper’s Passage” was inspired by two books, oddly enough. One was “Shadow of the Torturer” by Gene Wolfe, and the other was “How Green Was My Valley” by Richard Llewellyn. I love the latter’s writing style and the coming-of-age boy’s POV, and the former’s skill at submerging us into an entirely different world. The world itself came from my imagination, and my love of martial arts.
What are you working on next?
I’m finishing up Book Five in the “Peacekeeper’s Passage” series, “Peacekeeper’s Peril”.
What authors or books have influenced your writing?
In addition to the two already mentioned, definitely Isaac Asimov for making it look so easy, Robert Heinlein for his gift of character, and so many others.
If you could live anywhere, in this world or fantasy, where would you live?
Such an interesting question! My response would be, why pick just one? There is so much beauty in reality and imagination, I’d love to see everything and travel everywhere.
BIO:
Wayne discovered his love for writing at ten years old when he wrote a story about the flowers from his bed sheets coming to life. With a voracious appetite for science-fiction and fantasy, it was only natural he turned his pen toward these genres, creating bold new worlds filled with exciting, interesting characters doing incredible things.
In addition to reading and writing science fiction and fantasy, Wayne enjoys spending time with his family, walking, helping aspiring authors, and volunteering in his community.
A Brooklyn native, Wayne currently lives in Northeastern Pennsylvania with his family and cats, realizing his dreams one story at a time. He’d love to hear from you at WayneMeyers.com, where you can find his social media links and sign up for his mailing list. His next story is just around the corner!
Everyone seems to be against him. Can a boy no one wants become the hero the world needs?
Hofen Heimstatten can’t take much more. Abused by his stepfather and bullied by his classmates, the twelve-year-old loner yearns for a place to belong. So when he’s adopted into the justice-enforcing Peacekeepers Guild a year early, he believes he’s at last found a home.
Prohibited from learning the special martial arts skills until he’s thirteen, Hofen is stunned when the older apprentices treat him just as poorly as his former peers. But when he stumbles across dark forces plotting to disrupt their idyllic society, the friendless youth resolves to teach himself the forbidden lore to protect himself and his people… even if it risks expulsion.
Has Hofen got what it takes to rise to the moment?
Peacekeeper’s Passage is the exciting first book in the Peacekeeper’s Passage young adult fantasy series. If you like underdogs taking charge, cool new worlds, and gripping action, then you’ll love Wayne Meyers’ coming-of-age adventure.