Interview with Meeri Phillips

Hey y'all! Today, we're kicking off our first installment of author interviews. First up, we have Meeri Phillips from Wales. She also goes by her pen name Mezzy. I met Meeri at the beginning of my writing career. We became fast friends and chatted whenever our timezones allowed. One of my favorite things about Meeri is her adventurous spirit and her quick wit. She's always around to cheer me on when I'm having a rough day or to tame me when I'm getting a little too bold.

Currently, you can find Meeri's books on reading apps such as Fizzo, Libri, etc.

How did you get into writing?

I got into writing when I was 7 years old, and we had a poem competition. I won the gower award with my poem.

What are your favorite books/authors?

K.F. Breene

Patricia Briggs

Stephen King

And many many more

What have you learned during your writing journey so far?

I’ve learned that finding time for it around everything else is quite hard, it’s hard because it’s a choice. When you work 13-hour shifts because you have to it’s a very strange experience writing for 5 hours because you choose to! And even then, you don’t get paid for it at first, so it takes commitment and determination. I never knew that I would actually choose this.

How do you find inspiration?

I walk. I go with my dog and have space from everyone. It helps to get my head right. Also, I take inspiration from my author friends who are amazing with giving ideas.

In your opinion, what does a good book consist of?

To make me feel like I’m there. To really reel me in, to make me feel.

What do you find to be the hardest part of the writing process?

When I find I’m at a boring bit. I just get annoyed at myself because it’s still writing, and it is allowed to be calm. Then I get to a juicy bit in the story, and I shake all that off.

What does success mean to you?

Success is getting my books to average sales whatever platform they are on.

Also bills being paid, kids happy, plenty of food in the cupboards.

If writing required mascots, what would yours be?

Mine would be the guy around my village, we call him Elvis and he dresses like him every day, gets on his mobility scooter which is all in celebratory paraphernalia and he tries to cheer everyone up. That guy called Dai would be my mascot. He’s awesome.

How do you balance staying true to your story while also giving the reader what they want?

It’s a fine balance and compromise. I actually love it when the author doesn’t give a toss about what the reader wants and takes the story to where they want. I don’t know what it is but the rebel in me sees the author as staying true to their vision.

I give what I want to give to the readers. I hope that they like it and mostly I’ve heard good things so fingers crossed I’m keeping that balance without trying to hard but also can see when it’s good to stay to your goal for the story.

What is your best writing tip?

Don’t stop writing unless you have important things like family commitments and work. Or just mental health breaks.

How did you come up with your book titles?

Genuinely…. I’m not very good at them. But I think them up when it makes sense in my head probably at midnight after a chocolate.

What message do you hope readers take from your book?

I hope that they can take strength from my books. Most of them will be about strength and endurance in trying times.

What is your favorite thing about writing?

Oooh the burn of an idea. It’s like an Olympic torch, it’s meant to be carried until the flame has to go out.

What is your process for beginning a new book?

I have two things in my mind. Does it start with a sentence, or does it start with dialogue? That then sets the scene for the first chapter of the next book. If I can imagine that then the next book has started.

Describe your favorite book character.

My favourite character out of my own books is actually a side character that will be in the next book in my “Bite Me” series. Stacy has Asperger’s and really is a very blunt person. I like that she is unapologetic and makes way in society for people to accept her whether they like it or not. She gives a whole new meaning to neurotypical. I like giving some thought into a character with research I’ve done already and also applied in previous health care jobs.

If you could handpick a mentor for your writing, who would you choose?

I would love to have my old English literature and French studies teacher Mrs Evans to be my mentor. Have no idea if she’s still around but when I was a kid in secondary school everyone was terrified of her. I was the typical messed up kid that didn’t care about class. She got through to me and I had a B in English Lit and French Studies. I genuinely would love it if when I have writers block for her to look at me with that stern face and it would be my cure and also my motivation. She was so talented and really intelligent. So that would be my first mentor. My second mentor would be one of the members of my brainstorming group. I find that they all are equally intelligent and amazing.