Mati Raine is a freelance
artist and writer, with her new book Archipelago due to be released February
28th. Spending most of her time traveling from show to show, writing is more
than a profession for her: it's a way of life. When she's not writing she can
be found doing anything from metal working to sculpting, depending on whatever
suits her fancy at the time. She also spends a fair amount of time at fandom
conventions, whether as an artist or accompanying her publishing company. After
years writing for her student newspaper, getting back into the publishing world
has been an exciting adventure, and one she couldn't do without her network of
support. To find out more about Archipelago, you can visit www.archipelagobook.net.
Your real name and pen name? Real Name: Lorraine Pen Name: Mati Raine Please share some of the best memories of your childhood One of my best childhood memories was actually when I first decided I wanted to be an author. I was in fourth grade, and my friends and I were writing a fan fiction based on one of our favorite shows. I showed it to my brother and his remark was that I should write something original, because all I was doing was copying what someone else had done. At that time I was somewhat insulted, but I defiantly rewrote the entire thing to prove to him I could do that. That later turned into my first book, and it was the push I needed to become a writer. About your education My education was based on a number of 'firsts': I was one of the 'first' sixth graders at my middle school; I was one of the 'first' graduates from my high school in our new building; I was one of the 'first' Alumni's to graduate under the PEAK program at my college. My education has been an adventure, and I always felt like I was being a pioneer for one school curriculum or the other. Now, graduating from the College of Idaho with a degree in Art, I'm reaching the end of my educational journey, but I'm fairly certain I'll continue learning in one way or the other. You're always learning. If you're not, you're doing something wrong. What career did you plan during your education days I've always had duel aspirations to be an author and an artist. I've always planned to go freelance, doing what I love and seeing where it lands me.
What is the biggest
challenge you have faced? How did you overcome it?
One of the biggest
challenges I faced was probably making the transition from having a 'typical'
job to doing freelance work. When you have a steady paycheck, you have
something to fall back on, but working on your own schedule can be scary and
risky. You never know if you're going to make it or fall on your face, but the
support of the people around you can carry you through those times. I networked
a lot to overcome my initial struggles to be an author and an artist. I'd team
up to split fees to go to shows and I would carpool to make it to events I
couldn't attend on my own. Freelance really isn't a solo job at all: it is a
spiderweb strengthened by individual threads learning how to hold onto each
other.
What is your favorite
genre and why?
My favorite genre at this
moment is dystopian, because I like the twisted reality that gets tied into
you. There are a lot of 'what if' questions that come up, and it feels a lot
like the place where sci-fi, fantasy, and steampunk all mingle, which are three
of my favorite genres.
When did you start
writing?What is the purpose of your writing?
I can't remember a time
when I wasn't writing. I've been telling stories since I could speak, and in
elementary school I was the kid who would get in trouble for writing too much
on creative writing projects. I always told my friends I would be an author,
and I don't think I ever really questioned that goal. Writing for me is just
like breathing: it's a necessary part of my life.
Which of your work has
been published so far? What are your forthcoming writings? Would you like
to share a synopsis of your work?
Archipelago is the novel
currently in publication. It's a Fantasy/Young Adult novel due for release February
28th.
ABOUT THE BOOK
14-year old Lilly Douglas
is a girl who has been sheltered from the world since the moment she was born.
Gifted with avian like wings and strands of lilac hair, she never realizes how
different she is. After a terrifying attack on her home, she is forced to run
from everything she knew, and find shelter at a place called Charity Academy.
Here students have little to worry about beyond homework and classes, and they
spend most of their time learning to control their powers, and discover what it
means to be 'Strands': students with extraordinary abilities, united by the
lilac hairs they have. But they are not alone in the world.56 miles south-east, into the Bitterroot Wilderness, is a dark place known as Firestone Institution. Here a 16-year old boy named Cory Trask has made his home with a personality as icy as his powers. Survival driven, Cory works for a man named Dr. Kibbsty and is the leader in the pursuit of Lilly. He thinks of little beyond the orders he is given, and life is nothing more than a game: one where only the strongest survive. As their paths cross, they bring an uncertain future in their wake that will cause all these teens to question what it really means to be Strands.
"If normal were an ocean, we'd be an Archipelago." You can find out more information at our website, www.archipelagobook.net, or on Goodreads. What are your future plans? My future plans are to continue traveling, and bringing my art and writing to fandom conventions, Renaissance faires and other events. While I write, I am also an artist, and it's been really important for me to keep those two dreams together. I do a lot of my own concept art, cover designs, and promotional materials, and I want my book to be more than what's on the pages. I adore works that create their own worlds like Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings. If I can help my book be more than just a story, then I've done something right.
What four top most things
you take care of while writing a book?
1. The world should be
three dimensional. If there is a school with classes, know what they are. If
there is a book with a new country, you should know what's in it. Ask yourself
the questions that never get answered on the pages, because that's what makes
the story believable.
2. The characters should
be dynamic. There is no such thing as a static character in real life. Every
person you meet in a story had their own tale, whether or not we know it. Think
why someone is there, what brought them to that point, what motivates them. The
more you know about the characters, the more people can relate to them.
3. Don't take shortcuts.
Sometimes it's easier to 'hand-wave' details you don't want to deal with, but
by sitting down and working through every plot flaw and tough question is like
a work-out for your novel. Don't be afraid of criticism, and don't be afraid to
revise. A book is a work of art, and it continues growing even after it's made
it to print.
4. Don't be discourages.
No matter what happens, no matter what people say, and no matter what road
blocks you hit, just KEEP WRITING. A story can never grow, can never adapt, can
never flourish if you give up. No matter how frustrated I get, I sit back down
and push onward, whether it's one sentence or one chapter. This is why I do
NaNoWriMo every year. Sometimes, you don't love writing. But you have to keep doing
it even then.
Your dream destination on
Earth?
I'd love to visit Paris.
One of my favorite artists is Pierre-Auguste Renoir, and I'd love to see his
work, and visit the places he painted.
Your origin of birth and
other countries you have visited/ stayed. What best things you liked in these
countries around the globe?
I grew up in the USA, but
I haven't had much chance to travel out of country. I've been to Mexico and
I've been to Canada, but my dream it to visit the rest of the world and just
experience what's there. There are so many countries with so much to offer;
hopefully one day when someone asks a question like this I can list all of
those things.
Your zodiac/ sunsign?
Libra
Your favorite book and
why?
It's really hard for me
to pick a favorite book because I'm a big fan of so many. I love Harry Potter,
I loved Cinder by Marissa Meyer, Jane Lindskold's work is wonderful... Books I
love are books that take you to another world, and years later, you can still
wander back there.
Your favorite celebrity
and why?
Richard Dean Anderson is
my favorite celebrity because he is such a kind and funny person. I grew up
with MacGyver and Stargate SG1, and he is so great to his fans. If I had to be
a celebrity, I'd want to be like him.
Some quickies:
Sun or Moon: Moon
Laughter or Smile: Smile
Morning or Evening:
Evening
Coffee or Tea: Tea
Mountain or Sea: Mountain
Long Drive or Short
Drive: Long Drive
Silence or Conversation:
Silence
Water or Fire: Water
Air or Earth: Earth
Mars or Jupiter: Jupiter
Red or Blue: Blue
Left or Right: Right
Glance or Stare: Glance
State your signature
line/ tagline/ best quote
"Sometimes,
we must send our dreams into the dark night like fireflies. They may seem
small, but they do make a difference."
