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My Interview With Author MJ Mallon

The Curse Of Time One Bloodstone ©MJ Mallon – Illustrations ©CarolinaRusso


My Interview With Author MJ MALLON

Author MJ Mallon

 

Today post is my interview to British Author MJ Mallon, a nice way to get to know her and  discover her latest work, the new released book  “The Curse of Time #1 Bloodstone”  I am very happy to introduce you with MJ Mallon,  she is a debut author and blogger, her interests include writing, photography, poetry, and alternative therapies. MJ write Fantasy YA, and middle grade fiction as well as micropoetry – haiku and tanka.
Some of you that follows my Blog remember one of my latest posts:   “Characters Illustration – A Collaboration with Author MJ Mallon”  where I was announcing my artistic collaboration with Marje Mallon.  We had a wonderful collaboration together .

Today post is my interview to MJ, a nice way to get to know her better and  discover more about her new released book “The Curse of Time #1 Bloodstone” that includes my art in form of character illustrations.

 

 

Thank you so much Marje for allowing me to do this lovely interview with you and give the opportunity to our readers to get to know you better.

Let’s get started!

Here there are my questions:

1. For who doesn’t know can you please introduce who is Author MJ Mallon?

I’m a debut author based in Cambridge, UK.
I published my first book The Curse of Time Book One Bloodstone in kindle and recently in paperback.
The Curse of Time is a YA magical fantasy series with many intriguing themes: time, crystals (representing light,) and self-harm/darkness/shadows. The magnificent clock featured on the book cover is the world renowned Corpus Christi chronopage invented by Dr John C Taylor, OBE. The chronopage is a popular tourist attraction in Cambridge which draws much attention, comments and gasps from passing tourists.

The Curse of Time Book One Bloodstone is available to purchase via Amazon. You can buy the book here:  “The Curse of Time”

Kirosmagica Publishing

I set up my publishing company Kyrosmagica Publishing with the intention of publishing my own books under this name. In the future, I hope perhaps to extend this to publishing for like-minded clients who wish to create magical writing which aspires to be different.
Allie Potts created a beautiful logo of a dragon and a unicorn twirling in an endless dance to represent my vision for Kyrosmagica Publishing.

2.  You have a very nice writing style, can you describe your creative process and what prompt and inspire you while writing?

Thank you Carolina that is very kind of you to say.
I begin with an initial idea and often look to art to inspire my creative process. Visuals are important; I visualise the scenes in an action movie of my creative imagination! Then I type the words up on my laptop.
I love poetry so I included short Tanka poems at the beginning of each chapter (or puzzle piece,) to add a further creative dimension to the story-telling.

3. What are you working on right now? Any new project?

Several! Of course one of my priorities is to focus on the second book in the series which I have entitled The Curse of Time Book Two Golden Healer.

But, I intend to submit to at least two anthologies. One involves flash fiction for publication in Charli Mill’s carrotranch.com/ second Carrot Ranch anthology and I also hope to be included in Claire Plaisted’s Ghostly Writes Anthology

First Prize in the Bloggers Bash Blog 2018 (UK)

Oh, I must also mention some amazing news. I discovered that I won first prize in the Bloggers Bash Blog Post Writing Competition with my entry “The Queen’s Dress Down Day”.
What a wonderful validation of my writing. Here is the trophy.
It looks as if it was made with me in mind! It’s so beautiful and is cut glass, crystal!
Winning this has encouraged me to enter more competitions. The next one on my radar is Dan Alatorre’s 1000 Word Sprint.

4. What is your writing “Dream Project” if there is one?

To be honest, I have so many wonderful projects in mind. I’d love to write a poetry/flash fiction/short story compilation. I have the rough draft of a middle grade novel featuring a dragon and a half Scottish/half Chinese girl that I would love to develop. I have so many plans but not enough time! I truly have been cursed! So my focus has to be on my current dream project — The Curse of Time. It’s an ambitious debut project but with hard work and dedication I hope it will be successful. Only time will tell how this dream develops.

 

5. This question is very personal and introspective, If you describe or picture your inner soul how will you describe it? And what color it would it be?

Fantastic question Carolina! My soul colour would be green. I believe green is the colour associated with the Heart Chakra which links with love, earth, growth, and abundance. My very first crystal selection was green Malachite. Apparently, my green soul colour makes me a healer, mediator, balancer and harmonizer. Perhaps that is why I love meditative exercise such as Tai Chi and explains my attraction to alternative medicine and crystals.

6. Reconnecting with your latest book “The Curse of Time” which character do you love the most and why?

Oh, this is so hard! I love all my characters. If I had to pick just one it would have to be Amelina, the main protagonist. I love how her character develops as the story progresses. Perhaps there is a little of Amelina in me, (even though I don’t have a dysfunctional family!) I’m such a different person from the young girl I used to be. Writing has made me a much happier and more confident person. Amelina is changing too. Perhaps that is why she is my favourite.

7. I loved to create the paintings of the two characters Esme and The Creature as illustrations for your book, what did driven you about my Art that you thought I was the right artist to visually bring to life your characters?

I’d been following your beautiful art for a good while and been so impressed by your portraits. There is a definite sense of fragility in your portraiture (I particularly love how you portrayed Esme the Mirror Girl’s eyes and mouth,) and a beautiful use of colour and movement in The Creature’s portrait. Those key elements attracted me to your work and of course you are such a lovely lady!

Character’s Portrait – The Creature – Watercolor Paintings ©CarolinaRusso

8. At last, what you would like to say to our readers about The Curse of Time story and why they should read it?

The Curse of Time is a unique, imaginative story.
Time is life. Life is Time. Each hour, minute and second is precious, don’t waste a moment! Read a magical story that encapsulates so much of the light and darkness of life. It will mystify and puzzle you, make you laugh, wonder and cry.

Character Portrait “Esme And The Mirror” – Watercolor Painting ©CarolinaRusso

Visit my ETSY Shop where you can find my illustration of the character “Esme and The Mirror” available in Limited Edition Fine Art Prints, only 20 high quality numbered and signed prints of my original watercolor painting.

In conclusion of this interview I want to thank Marje for the beautiful and interesting answers to my questions! I hope that you all enjoyed to read this post and the opportunity to get to know more about Author MJ Mallon, visit her Blog and if you get the chance to read the book, please leave her a review and comments. I am sure she would love very much to hear from you. Best wishes to Marje for this new release, may “The Curse of Time One Bloodstone”  project be very successful and of course to have a sequel! Can’t wait to see what she is writing next and if we will collaborate again you will see more of my illustrations to come in the future! I always love to read all your comments, please let me know what do you think and thank you so much for taking your time to read it!


❤ You can find MJ Mallon on Social Media at:

Have a wonderful day and stay connected!
If you haven’t yet follow me on Instagram  @carolinarussoart

Thank You!
Thank You!

©Copyright Carolina Russo – yesterdayafter.com

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Characters Illustration – A Collaboration with Author MJ Mallon – 1st Stop Blog Tour! #ABRSC

Watercolor Illustrations ©CarolinaRusso

Hello everyone I hope that you all are enjoying Spring!
Today I have a nice announcement to do…

time has arrived and today I am very happy to post again about one of my latest collaboration and special commission done during the past months. This has been a great and interesting project that I have been working on!
During last Summer I was contacted by British Author  MJ Mallon for the creation of some character illustrations for her new book.   We have had a wonderful collaboration developed in the coming soon publication of the book in paperback edition, including my character illustrations.  MJ Mallon is a novel’s writer and a dear  friend in our Blog-World Community. To get to know more about her,  please  visit her Blog at MJ Mallon Author!

Today is also the start of MJ  blog tour for the release of her  paperback – The Curse of Time Book One Bloodstone. There will be a celebration on her blog, everyone is invited!
This post is the  first stop  on the #ABRSC tour, other blogs will follow in the next coming days.

The beautiful book  is a fantasy novel for young adults, inspired by supernatural, magic and paranormal. Many themes are touched into the intriguing and captivating story of Amelina Scott, a fifteen years old girl that lives in Cambridge,  England. With some magic help, Amelina discovers the truth of a shocking curse that destroyed her family happiness. If you like magic and supernatural you would love this novel. This is the first book and according to author MJ Mallon it would be a sequel and so a series.

The title is “The Curse Of Time” #1 Bloodstone  first published as Kindle Edition “Not Illustrated” launched August 2017.

Today I am very  happy to announce that the book would be released soon  in paperback edition during April 2018. I have created the Illustrations of two characters “Esme and the Creature Eruterac” I loved to create these watercolor paintings as portraits of the intriguing characters, MJ described them to me so well that I was able to bring them alive on paper.  I am so honored and very happy that my illustrations are included in black and white into the paperback edition, it is a great accomplishment and means a lot to me. This year you will see other great collaborations and very interesting projects that I am working on. Keep following!

Character’s Portraits – Esme and the Creature – Original Watercolor Paintings ©CarolinaRusso

I have previously wrote another post where I explain most of the behind the scene about the start of this project and details about my creation of the character’s portrait, if you’re a new follower or if you have missed it, you can read my post dedicated to the character Esme:  New Release: Esme – Bringing alive a character with a painting! Collaboration with Author MJ Mallon

you can also read MJ Mallon post about our collaboration and my illustration for the character the Creature :

A Wonderful Collaboration With Talented Artist Carolina Russo

Character’s Portraits – Esme – Original Watercolor Paintings ©CarolinaRusso

Isn’t it beautiful to see the portraits published? I love them! MJ was so kind to send me a preview copy of the paperback and everything looks great!

Character’s Portraits – The Creature – Original Watercolor Paintings ©CarolinaRusso

I have created the watercolor painting for two characters “Esme” the girl trapped in the mirror and ” The Creature” a scary entity and creepy guardian.
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I want to give a special thanks to MJ Mallon for loving my art and for thinking of me for this project and great collaboration, hopefully we can collaborate again in the future. Thank you so much Marjorie!

Character’s Portraits – Esme and the Creature – Original Watercolor Paintings ©CarolinaRusso

*** Paperback Release date is April 2nd and can be purchased on Amazon 

Paintings Release: The images of my paintings are included inside the paperback book in black and white. If you are interested you can purchase the color version available in two sizes as “Limited Edition Fine Art Print” only #20 Prints for each character are available for fans and collectors. Fine art prints include a certificate of authenticity, are numbered and hand signed by me!
If you like one for yourself or for a wonderful gift, prints are beautiful almost like the original paintings! You can fully support my Art with your purchases for the character  “Esme” visit my Etsy Shop

***If you’re interested in a Fine Art Print of “The Creature” please order here on the Blog at  Shop My Art Prints

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Artist details about the Original Paintings:
My watercolor is outlined with black, white and brown ink pens. Gold pen Gelly Roll by Sakura. I used  French Artists Watercolors  Sennelier  l’Aguarelle, Ink pens used COPIC Multiliner Black ink #03 and 05 . A Alvin Draft/Matic Pencil #03 Limited Edition Pink Mab Graves.  Pentel Aqua Brushes – I painted on Bee Paper for watercolor 140lb, 100% cotton, cold pressed, size 6×9 inches .
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If you like my Art
and would like to have a Custom Painting or Illustration from me, I am open to commission work if you have an idea
just Contact me and we can talk about it! 🙂

You can see more of my Paintings visiting my  GALLERY  there are several Galleries find  them in the drop down menu under Watercolors.

All my watercolor paintings are available for Pre-Order in Limited Edition Fine Art Prints!

Please follow me on Instagram  @carolinarussoart

What makes me happy is to give happiness and inspire people through my Art, give feelings to the heart and deep to the soul!”  – CR

 

I hope that you enjoyed this post and suggest you to read the book!
Wish you all a great week!

Thank You!
Thank You!

©Copiright Carolina Russo – yesterdayafter.com

 

 

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A Wonderful Collaboration With Talented Artist Carolina Russo

I finally can reveal my latest and great collaboration with Author Marjorie Mallon! I have created the illustrations for her wonderful new book, coming soon in paperback…read the post to know more and stay tuned! <

M J Mallon YA Author and Poet

The Creature ©Carolina Russo_Online Use

Today, I am delighted to share with you my latest collaboration with artist Carolina Russo, who has created a brilliant new portrait of the Creature, Eruterac, in my paperback novel, The Curse of Time – Book 1 – Bloodstone to be released April 2018.

Below is the full colour portrait of Esme:

Esme And The Mirror ©Carolina Russo - Online UseBoth the Creature and Esme the mirror girl will feature in black and white in my paperback release scheduled for April 2018. At present, the kindle version is NOT ILLUSTRATED.

I am sure you will agree that they are wonderful portraits. Carolina has taken my written words and captured the essence of both characters brilliantly. What an extraordinarily talented lady!  I am so thrilled. They will enhance my paperback beautifully. It is fitting that these beautiful illustrations should be included in the soon to be released paperback considering that one of the themes of the novel is art coming alive!

To…

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#WorldWatercolorGroup, Art, Collaborations, Community, Creativity, Custom Portraits, Drawings, Emotions, Fantasy Art, Friendship, Illustration, Indie, Ink Drawing, My Paintings, Surrealism Art, Watercolors

New Release: Esme – Bringing alive a character with a painting! Collaboration with Author MJ Mallon

Esme And The Mirror -Original Watercolor Painting by ©Carolina Russo – Portrait of Esme Inspired by the Book – “The Curse Of Time” #1 Bloodstone by Author MJ Mallon

Today I am happy to post about one of my latest collaboration and commission done during the month of August.
I have collaborated with British Author Marjorie J Mallon,  she is a novel’s writer and  a friend in our community here on WordPress.

She Blogs at MJ Mallon Author!

I always love to write the story behind the scene of  my paintings. A while back I was contacted by MJ, she is one of my lovely long time followers from overseas. She loves my Art and followed my World Watercolor Month Collection, created in July, a challenge featuring 31 paintings in 31 days. MJ was touched by one of my paintings, inspiring the coming idea. Explained in her message to me indicating that her new book Kindle Edition “The Curse Of Time” #1 Bloodstone was close to be launched on August 26, (yes it is already happened!) and that she would’ve loved to collaborate with me, asking if I could create a painting for her. A portrait to illustrate her fiction character “Esme” and a digital image to be able to share it online! The idea was very exciting to me, I love book illustrations and of course, I wanted to create this special portrait.  MJ gave me some interesting details about Esme, and enough was said that I let soon my creativity fly. I prepared a pencil sketch with my vision, MJ approved and I was ready to paint and bring the character alive. What a beautiful opportunity for both of us to collaborate while we are in two different countries, she is in UK and I am in US this is one side of the beauty of Blogging! Great connections can be made opening the doors of possibilities. I Blog from three years now and I had amazing connections and experiences. During this year is happened to me several times to collaborate and I love it.

While having our communications MJ gave me some interesting information and detail about what was important for her to showcase  in my painting.  Esme has long blond hair, the mirror, a face reflection, tears, a pink quartz crystal, a clock, and sunflowers + few more detail that I wont reveal to do not spoil her book! Not much I needed, to let my creativity and vision of Esme taking  shape. I had my vision and MJ loved it! As you can see on my painting I added all the elements she gave me ” Esme, the crystal and  the sunflowers are in foreground painted in a light delicate watercolor color palette that is in  contrast with the images in the dark background, the clock and the mirror that are representing the unknown and the darkness.

I loved to create this intriguing painting which I gave the title “Esme And The Mirror”  Esme is the name of one of the main characters in the book.  MJ mentioned in one of her Blog posts this quote: “The tears in her eyes convey her sadness but the golden hair of the mysterious girl facing her (no spoilers!) is bright and vibrant, suggesting hope.”  What a great message isn’t it? Well my painting represent Light and Darkness, Sadness and Hope.

Thank you so much MJ  for supporting my art with our collaboration and commission! I had the opportunity to create this beautiful inspiring Portrait for you bringing alive your intriguing character Esme and have my Art connected with you and your new book! “The Curse Of Time” #1 Bloodstone to know more about it give MJ a visit on her Blog this is the link to her Book Launch Party Post

Painting Release: The image of my painting isn’t included inside the book, but I am having a “New Release” here now!
First run of Limited Edition Fine Art Prints only #1/20 Prints are available for fans and collectors, fine art prints are numbered and hand signed by me!
If you like one for yourself or for a wonderful gift, the Print is beautiful, you can fully support my Art and  preorder – purchase your Print here on my Blog, read all the info about price and shipping on my page Shop Art Prints

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Artist Details about the Original Painting:
My watercolor is outlined with black, white and brown ink pens. Gold pen Gelly Roll by Sakura. I used  French Artists Watercolors  Sennelier  l’Aguarelle, Ink pens used COPIC Multiliner Black ink #03 and 05 . A Alvin Draft/Matic Pencil #03 Limited Edition Pink Mab Graves.  Pentel Aqua Brushes – I painted on Bee Paper for watercolor 140lb, 100% cotton, cold pressed, size 6×9 inches .
*
*

If you like my Art
and would like to have a Custom Painting or Illustration from me, I am open to commission work if you have an idea
just Contact me and we can talk about it! 🙂

You can see more of my Paintings visiting my  GALLERY  there are several Galleries find  them in the drop down menu under Watercolors.

All my watercolor paintings are available for Pre-Order in Limited Edition Art Prints!  

Please follow me on Instagram  @carolinarussoart

What makes me happy is to give happiness and inspire people through my Art, give feelings to the heart and deep to the soul!”  – CR

I hope that you enjoyed this behind the scene story!
Wish you all a great week!

Thank You!
Thank You!

©Copiright Carolina Russo – yesterdayafter.com