Interview with author M.E. Sanford

Yey! I’m so excited about this one. I love M.E. Sanford’s stories. They are so magical and touching!So when Shelby and the others from our secret group feared there wouldn’t be enough authors for the Hiding Under Covers anthology, M.E. was the first one that came to mind. I knew I just had to ask him if he was available and, thank God, he was.
Here it is,peeps. Hope you enjoy this interview as much as I  did.

Hello, M. E. , welcome to my cozy shell. Thank you for accepting my invitation.

You kindly accepted to write for the Hunting Under Covers anthology even though you hadn’t taken part in the Scavenger Hunt challenge and you had no idea what it entailed and the story you submitted was an extraordinary peace. What spurred the idea of (spoiler?) mermaid-like aliens? Did I express myself well?

M.E.: You’re absolutely right! I had NO idea what was going on, or what was expected of me. But when I saw one particular requirement for the anthology. It got my brain spinning and I said to myself, “How in the hell would I write a story about male pregnancy?” Thus, the aliens.

I loved that you turned perspective and you made the story from the alien’s point of view, rather than from a human’s point of view. Humans were, in fact, the aliens in your story. How hard was it to describe an alien, both physically and mentally?

M.E.: Since I came up with the race impromptu, I had very little understanding of how they looked. But I knew they had scaled bodies with fleshy undersides and fins on their legs and arms. That’s really all I knew while writing. 😀

As for mentally, they are simple people living along the shore in clay/mud housing. Mentally, they only worry about what is needed for the now and the near future. It was pretty simple, as my MC was very fun to write.

Do you think there is a secret to making aliens believable and emotionally close to the reader?

M.E.: Oooooh. Good question. In earnest, I believe that if you can convey a sense of genuine wonder to the new, then an attachment to the alien race would be natural. I feel very attached to people who show awe at the things unexplained.

Do you usually outline or do you just write?

M.E.: This, I spewed onto the screen with no outline. Usually, I outline the first act. Then pants the rest once I have my plot and characters described and planned. It keeps the process of writing fresh for me.

Did you enjoy writing mpreg? Many shy away from this sub-genre. What do you think is the reason and what would you say to people to change their minds?

M.E.: I loved writing m-preg! It’s what made me write the story about fish-like aliens. I think the reason it’s not touched upon much, is the simple fact it’s impossible. Readers can only stretch their imaginations so much, in my opinion. But if it’s done in a way that…for example is using fishy aliens as the vessel for male pregnancy. Then people may feel more comfortable reading about a man giving birth. 😀

Your stories always have a very emotional ending that leaves a huge impression on readers and makes them crave for more. Tell us what other projects you are currently working on.

M.E.: Well thanks! I’ve finished the rough draft of a very emotional romance that I feel is very promising. It’s my favorite kind, a hurt/comfort sort of plot that has some personal, real life truths in the story.

I have a few novellas that I’d like to polish and get into people’s eyes. But I’m distracted with my current novel.

I’m also working on a high fantasy, epic novel series that will take some time finishing.

Finally, where can readers find you?

M.E.: My e-mail is ready to be filled: thesleepinggods@gmail.com

Since, I’m always on Goodreads.com. I keep my blog there, on my profile. M.E. Sanford. Look me up!

Thank you so much for this interview, Mitch! I wish you the best of luck in the future. Please, come visit me again 🙂