Featured Interview With TM Blayte
Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I am an aspiring journalist by day, reader by night, and author somewhere in between. My debut novel, Until We Are Free was released on 01 August 2018 by Alban Lake Publishing. It follows the story of a young rebel, who has to face down his own organisation and father, as well as the government’s elite Royal Guard, to prevent a civil war.
Where I come from is complicated, good luck solving it. I’ve stayed in Zimbabwe, Namibia, and South Africa. Currently, I split my time between Botswana and South Africa.
Did I mention I love chocolate ice cream?
At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I always liked reading as a child, but didn’t have much access to books. My first novel was written on a Nokia E63 when I was sixteen.
Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
My favourite authors. In no particular order. Marie Lu, Cassandra Clare, Brandon Sanderson, George R.R. Martin, Richelle Mead, David Baldacci, and TM Blayte … Just kidding. And my favourite author above all is Ally Carter.
I like reading anything that grabs my attention. I could say I love Fantasy and Scifi, but my favourite author writes none of these. I always enjoy a good Jodi Picoult book, and I’ve had good times with a couple of Danielle Steel novels. So I think I’m genre flexible.
As far as inspiration goes, I can say Marie Lu. I’ve always wanted to write like her. Quick pace, loads of action, high stakes, and concise pages.
Tell us a little about your latest book?
In what the characters believe to be the last shred of civilised earth, is the United Isles. In the United Isles, there are two races. The Elder race, and second class humans. A group known as the Riders exist to oppose the government, and hopefully one day free humans.
Just before Until We Are Free opens, the Rider Council is divided on whether to make war against the king, or try negotiating. They finally decide to attempt negotiations first.
Nyl Jayms is tasked with kidnaping the Elder princess, to force her brother, the king, to negotiate with humans. The alternative is a war that could lead to the annihilation of both humans and Elders.
A Rider Council faction, led by Nyl’s father, is opposed to any negotiations. They will do anything, including sabotaging his assignment, to trigger a war.
Nyl and his team have to outsmart the king’s elite Royal Guard, to get to the princess, and somehow stay one step ahead of the faction opposed to negotiations. Everyone will be forced to re-evaluate ideology they were raised with, as an impending war looms ever closer.
At a point, faces of friends, family, allies and enemies will blur, until the determination to be free becomes the only thing that remains. After all, does one person’s freedom mean another’s oppression?
I started writing Until We Are Free in around 2013/2014. It was a vampire story back then. After four years, it has certainly come a long way, and transformed into something I truly love.
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