WOLF NOTES: An Uncommon Interview – Andrew McDowell

Welcome to WOLF NOTES, where interview questions stray from the rest of the pack. It’s nice to know the usual stuff like where an author gets their inspiration and why they write, but sometimes we need a little fun in our lives.

Andrew McDowell wanted to be a writer since he was a teenager. He has studied History and English at St. Mary’s College, and Library and Information Science at the University of Maryland. He is a member of the Maryland Writers’ Association. He is an associate nonfiction editor with the literary journal JMWW. He has had poetry published in the anthology Pen in Hand, and he won second place in the creative nonfiction category of the MWA Literary Contest in 2015 for his essay on his experiences with Asperger syndrome. His YA fantasy novel Mystical Greenwood was published by Mockingbird Lane Press and is available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. To learn more about him and his writing, visit his website and blog at andrewmcdowellauthor.com.

Wolf: Welcome to Wolf Notes, Andrew. If you had to pick a weapon, what would it be and why?

Andrew: I would definitely go with a sword. I did some fencing in college, and I’ve always been fascinated by warriors who fight with swords since childhood, from knights in shining armor to ninjas and samurai.

Wolf: Swords are definitely cool. What is the meanest thing you’ve ever done to your characters?

Andrew: I made one of them a slave to evil and kill another character (neither of which happened in the earlier drafts), and it isn’t the story’s villain. But I won’t say who so as to not to spoil the story.

Wolf: That is mean. Do you consider yourself a cat person, or a dog person?

Andrew: I’m definitely a dog person. That’s not to say I don’t get along well with cats and enjoy their company, but I’ve grown up with dogs and for a time when there wasn’t a dog in the house, there was a void that needed filling.

Wolf: I know exactly what you are talking about. A dogless house feels empty. If you could have a super power, what would it be?

Andrew: The ability to shape-shift into any animal I want and back at will.

Wolf: That could be a lot of fun. Which of your characters is your favorite?

Andrew: That would be a tie between Dermot and Saershe. Dermot is the protagonist and the spiritual nature-lover side of me. Saershe is essentially Mother Nature herself, warm but powerful.

Wolf: What is your favorite body of water and why? (river, ocean, waterfall, puddle, bottle…)

Andrew: That would also be a tie, this time between oceans and rivers. As a child I loved reading and learning about marine life. I went to St. Mary’s College of Maryland, which was on the St. Mary’s River. I enjoyed many afternoons going out and walking by the water or just sitting down to observe it.

Wolf: I’d love to go for a river walk myself. What story are you working on now?

Andrew: I’m currently working on the sequel to Mystical Greenwood, and also a mystery novel about neglected and abused pets, set in the real world.

Wolf: What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

Andrew: I enjoy walking, working out, and watching movies and television. I’m also a bit of a coin collector.

Wolf: Thank you for visiting. You can connect with Andrew through these links:

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