Presenting, Author Mikey Brooks!
The Dream Keeper
This week I had the wonderful opportunity to interview my dear friend Mikey Brooks.
He has written an amazing book called "The DreamKeeper". It recently came out on audiobook as well, narrated by the talented Anthony Bianco!
Everyone that reads books and enjoys one in particular, would love at some point to have an opportunity to sit down with the author and find out what made their recent book adventure what it was. I got to do just that! I read the first book The DreamKeeper, and was immediately enchanted. I was swept up into a dream world...literally. I became very fond of the character Cerulean, I felt that I related to her in some way. This book takes you on an adventure never before "dreamed" of. I had the pleasure of delving into Mikey's point of view on being the author of this book. I hope you enjoy the interview, as I had so much fun coming up with the questions to ask this amazing writer.
E. I
love the name Cerulean, where did you come up with it?
M. "I patterned Cerulean’s character off the
blue fairy from Carlo Collodi’s Pinocchio.
When it came to naming her I wanted to have a word that described her. There
are 65 shades of blue, a little more than gray. *wink-wink. I went with
cerulean because it was not only a beautiful color it had a nice sound to it."
E. How
did you think of Dreams as an alternate universe that we visit in our sleep?
M. "It was strange. It all came to me when I
was trying to fall asleep. I kept thinking it would be great if there was some
kind of guide that could just lead you to and from Dreams. Suddenly—boom, there
was Gladamyr. Then it all just made sense. So many other authors had written
about a dreamland (L. Frank Baum, Lewis Carroll, even Shakespeare) but none of
them called it what it was: Dreams."
E. When
you were writing the book, did you intend to have three love stories in one
book?
M." That’s funny you should ask because I don’t
think I focus much on the love stories but they are there. So no, it was never
intentional. Sometimes characters create their own side plots. The one love
story I did want to explore was that of Gladamyr and Cerulean. Here we have a
good dream and a nightmare falling in love. I like to play with the idea of
opposites and how when they are brought together magical things can happen."
E. Did
you intend for the children to have magical powers when you first started
writing the book?
M. "Yes! The reason I write middle grade books
is because I love that kids still believe in magic. With the story taking place
in a dreamland I knew right away that I’d have to give these kids special
powers to overcome the nightmares. I think that is part of the appeal that it
has for some of my readers."
E. How
does this book relate to you and why?
M. "I relate a lot with Gladamyr. He wasn’t
just a nightmare in his past, he was the worst. He tortured children as they
slept. Yet, he found redemption. He changed and became a better individual. It
didn’t stop there though. He still longs to better himself. I like that about
Gladamyr and I relate to that. We all have made mistakes—probably not as harsh
as Gladamyr, but even so, we can change and find forgiveness. I think we could
all be a little better in who we are."
E. If
you could have any magical powers of your characters what would it be and why?
M. "I’d love to shape shift! Man to be anything
I wanted? Now that would be cool. If I couldn’t have Gladamyr’s powers, I think
I’d go with Kaelyn. She heals and helps people and I think her power is noble."
E. When
you go to sleep do you go to Mare or Favor?
M. "It really depends on the night. Most of the
time I enjoy my visits to Dreams. Other times they get a bit scary. I’ll let
you in on a secret. All the nightmares that are mentioned in Dreams came from
my own childhood. I guess I spent a lot of time in Mares when I was a kid."
E. Do
you feel that you have created a bond between you and your characters?
M. "Oh yes! I can relate with probably every
one of them. They have become my friends. I find myself as I am writing trying
to get the words out as fast as I can to see what is going to happen next. I
laugh. I cry. I hope that everything will turn out in the end. That might sound
crazy to anyone is isn’t a writer."
E. As
you continue this journey in the dream keeper series, how many books are you
planning?
M. "There is just one more left. It is called The Dream Makers and it will available
this fall. However, I’ve had several requests for a prequel. A story comes out
in book 2, The Dreamstone, that
really does ask to be told. I might explore sharing that in the future. Who
knows? Maybe Gladamyr will find another reason to call on the aid of two
teenagers."
E. If
you could change anything about your book, what would it be and why?
M. "I don’t think there is anything I would
change. I believe, like life, things happen for a reason. In book 2 lots of bad
things happen. In book 3 there’s even more. Each time a new obstacle presents
itself I wonder how on earth the heroes are going to overcome it. Then I am
surprised when they find a way. They grow from each challenge. I think we as
humans should learn that lesson too."
This book is definitely worth the read! Your kids will love exploring these new places and characters. I got to know more about this book that I enjoyed so much. We all have a super power of some kind and Mikey's is bringing these books to life, and creating magical worlds for our minds to explore! I am honored that I got to read this, talk to the author, and that I can call Mikey a friend! Go and check this book out, you won't regret it!
Don't forget to check out the GIVEAWAY
at the end of this post for a chance to
WIN some fantastic prizes!
We are thrilled to announce that The Dreamstone, book two in The
Dream Keeper Chronicles is now available in audiobook. If have never had
the opportunity to listen to an audiobook before, now is your time! An
audiobook is a wonderful way to enjoy a book. It brings a level of richness and
art to the book you can't get with just words alone.
Dorothy called it Oz, Alice Called it
Wonderland, but Nightmares call it HOME.
There is a world
inside our own,
but we can’t see
it when we are
awake—only when
we sleep.
It is then we
find ourselves in Dreams.
Synopsis for book 1: The Dream
Keeper
When an evil shifter takes over the gateway to the realm of Dreams, it falls
to 14-year-olds Parker and Kaelyn to stop him. Their only hope lies with
Gladamyr, the Dream Keeper, but can they trust a Nightmare to save their world?
Synopsis for book 2: The Dreamstone
When Parker’s mom is
dreamnapped by the wicked Mab, it is up to him and Kaelyn to save her. When
they return to Dreams, they discover Mab isn’t their only problem.
Gladamyr has lost his powers and the only way to get them back is to become
what he fears the most—a nightmare.
Check out what people are saying
about The Dream Keeper Chronicles!
"A fun, fantastic ride through both Dream and Nightmare. Brooks has
written a book that can be enjoyed by young and old alike. Bravo!"
~Michaelbrent Collings, bestselling author of
The Billy Saga
“A wild stallion of a story: fast, thrilling, and unpredictable. If this one
isn’t a kid-pleaser, I don’t know what is.” ~Michelle Isenhoff, author of the
Taylor
Davis Series
"I listened to
The Dream Keeper on audiobook and absolutely
loved it! Anthony Bianco did an outstanding job of bringing each character to
life." ~L.R.W Lee, author of
The Andy Smithson Series
"My heart hammered and I couldn't tear my eyes away from the page. I
felt every emotion the characters did, I laughed, I cried, I felt fear while
reading this book." ~Amazon reviewer
"If you like the
Percy Jackson,
Fablehaven, or the
Harry
Potter series, you'll love this!" ~Amazon reviewer
Check out this interview
with the
What have you enjoyed most about
narrating The Dream Keeper Chronicles?
Bringing the mythology that Mikey has created to life. There is a sense of
innocence, wonder, and possibility on the world of Awake and Dreams. Our dreams
are one of the nearest things we still have to magic. And discovering the story
has helped remind me to continue to look for the magic in the world around me.
How did you go about finding a
distinct voice for each character?
Many times Mikey provided some kind of description of the character that
would inform the choices I would make. Age, gender, body size/ shape. I imagine
how the voices sound when I am reading and do my best to apply those changes
when I get in the booth. I would like to think that all of the choices that I
made were informed by the text. I did my best to fully imagine what Mikey
created and trust that when he is satisfied with the result I have done my
job.
You work as a professional actor; do
you find your profession helps you in narrating books?
I find it incredibly helpful. The fact that I am not in front of an audience
doesn't make a lot of a difference to me. The act of storytelling is the same
no matter what the medium. Many of the skills needed: articulation, breath
support, vocal flexibility, emotion (to highlight a few) all come into play
when recording. When you are in the booth you have to be hyper aware of every
movement and sound. Even though nobody can see what you look like, any
extraneous movements can cause sounds which can be picked up by the mic. It is
essential to have the physical and vocal awareness to keep those sounds to a
minimum. At the same time you can't allow that to keep you from bing expressive
and energized when telling the story. It can be a tricky balance sometimes. But
the years of training help to balance those factors.
Is there a character in the book you
related to the most and why?
I think Gladamyr was the easiest to relate to, even though he is a Dream
keeper. I love the tortured heroes. Plus, Gladamyr's powers are the coolest!
Many of my favorite fantasy characters have been Shape-shifters or have had an
ability similar to Gladamyr. It probably appeals to the actor in me, being able
to shift and morph would be like the ultimate costume change.
narrator, Anthony Bianco!
narrating books?
I find it incredibly helpful. The fact that I am not in front of an audience
doesn't make a lot of a difference to me. The act of storytelling is the same
no matter what the medium. Many of the skills needed: articulation, breath
support, vocal flexibility, emotion (to highlight a few) all come into play
when recording. When you are in the booth you have to be hyper aware of every
movement and sound. Even though nobody can see what you look like, any
extraneous movements can cause sounds which can be picked up by the mic. It is
essential to have the physical and vocal awareness to keep those sounds to a
minimum. At the same time you can't allow that to keep you from bing expressive
and energized when telling the story. It can be a tricky balance sometimes. But
the years of training help to balance those factors.
Is there a character in the book you
related to the most and why?
I think Gladamyr was the easiest to relate to, even though he is a Dream
keeper. I love the tortured heroes. Plus, Gladamyr's powers are the coolest!
Many of my favorite fantasy characters have been Shape-shifters or have had an
ability similar to Gladamyr. It probably appeals to the actor in me, being able
to shift and morph would be like the ultimate costume change.
If you were to dream up a nightmare
what would it be?
Absolutely terrifying. Probably something similar to Minion, a monster made
from a swarm of spiders. When I have nightmares they are the worst. I am
usually being chased by a dark formless, shifting shadow (not unlike Gladamyr
now that I think about it). There are always lost of teeth and it is fast;
constantly changing throughout the dream. The worst nightmares know when to
change and get worse when you think it can get any worse.
How do you manage to smoothly
accentuate the “voice” of the different characters?
Breath, breath, breath. You can't transition from voice to voice without the
proper breath support to fuel the instrument. If it sounds smooth it is a
combination of quality editing and quality vocal control by the narrator.
How did you become a book narrator?
Did anything specific prompt you to undertake this career?
A friend encouraged me to pursue it. He made the transition from actor to
narrator full time and thought I would also be good at it. So, he gave me the
initial push. I haven't been able to make that transition fully, though. I am
still working and audition for gigs in bother careers. As well as working at a
coffee shop and doing odd work as a ranch hand and landscaper to make ends
meet. I am still at the begging of my narrating career but what has prompted me
to continue to pursue it is the flexibility to create my own hours, work from
home, and the complete artistic control of the storytelling.
Narrator Bio:
Anthony Bianco is a
professional actor living and working in Denver, Colorado. He is a native
Oregonian and has been acting and storytelling for the past
eighteen years. He
time and thought I would also be good at it. So, he gave me the initial
push. I haven't been able to make that transition fully, though. I am still
working and audition for gigs in bother careers. As well as working at a coffee
shop and doing odd work as a ranch hand and landscaper to make ends meet. I am
still at the begging of my narrating career but what has prompted me to
continue to pursue it is the flexibility to create my own hours, work from
home, and the complete artistic control of the storytelling.
Narrator Bio:
Anthony Bianco is a professional actor living and working in Denver,
Colorado. He is a native Oregonian and has been acting and storytelling
for the past eighteen years. He received a BFA in Acting with a minor in
Shakespeare Studies at Southern Oregon University in Ashland, Oregon. Anthony
then went on to receive is MFA in Acting from University of Illinois at
Urbana-Champaign. Anthony moved to Denver five years ago and has worked for
three seasons with the Denver Center Theatre Company, one season at Colorado Shakespeare
Festival and most recently appeared as Jay Gatsby in
The Great Gatsby at the Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities.
Author Bio:
Mikey Brooks is a small child masquerading as an adult. On occasion you’ll
catch him dancing the funky chicken, singing like a banshee, and pretending to
have never grown up. He is the author/illustrator of the best-selling
middle-grade series
The Dream Keeper
Chronicles,
The Stone of Valhalla,
and The Gates of Atlantis: Battle for
Acropolis. His picture books include the best-selling
ABC Adventures: Magical Creatures and
Bean’s Dragons. His art can be seen in many forms from picture
books to full room murals. He loves to daydream with his three daughters and
explore the worlds that only the imagination of children can create. Mikey has
a BS degree in English from Utah State University and works full-time as a
freelance illustrator, cover designer, and author. As a member of the
Emblazoners, he is one of many authors devoted to ‘writing stories on the
hearts of children’ (
www.emblazoners.com).
You can find more about him and his books at:
www.insidemikeysworld.com
Check out the books!
The
Dream Keeper
The
Dreamstone
