Author Interview With Bree Pembrook

Welcome to another stop in Bree Pembrook’s blog tour for her debut story, Ichabod Fly and the Great Newspaper Roundup! Today we have an interview with the illustrious author herself.

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How long have you been writing for?

I started writing for the Circle C contests when I was little, dictating them to my mom even though I taught myself to read when I was three. I started writing my own stories when I was maybe ten or eleven, and my first idea that I never finished was about mice that worked for the police. A couple years ago I won a Circle C writing contest, and that inspired me to start writing more seriously. 

What first got you inspired to write? 

Certain authors, including Susan K. Marlow, and I just had stories that I wanted to put onto paper. I didn’t take much inspiring, I just had all these stories that I wished someone had written for me to read, so I wrote them myself. Or started to. I never finished anything longer than a short story until Ichabod Fly!

What genre do you write in most?

Uhh, most… maybe fantasy. I try a little of everything, but my favorites are fantasy and action and adventure. I just love fantasy because of Narnia and Lord of the Rings. Just watch one of those movies and get inspiration for weeks!

Where did/do you get your inspiration for the Abogrugon Chronicles? 

My siblings! When my youngest brother was one or so, we would pretend he was Prince Chow Ming and his servants were his siblings and stuffed animals. Stuffed rabbit was Rutabaga, gray bear was Grayson… My other two brothers may or may not have been Phinoppoli and Zachareldo too. I played two roles, Mr. Kerbobble and Professor Cardamom. Every day my crazy brothers come up with a new silly game that makes me think of new ideas. Recently they were having me be the tripping tollgate, where if they didn’t pay the gate would trip them. So guess what’s in book two! *wonders if it was the kids I babysit that actually gave me the idea* *decides it was brothers*

Where is your favorite place to sit down and write?

In the biiiiiiig comfy recliner in the livingroom. It doesn’t recline, but… it’s still comfy.

What was your favorite scene of Ichabod Fly to write?

The bucking bridge and sliver trees. And the snails. That section was the funnest. I may have snickered to myself as I wrote the snail conversation.

Who are some of your favorite authors and why?

Of course you had to add the impossible question XD Brace yourself for a list.
S.D. Smith, C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, Andrew Peterson, Madisyn Carlin, Kendra E. Ardnek, P.D. Atkerson, the Phillips sisters, J. Grace Pennington… the list goes on and on. They’re all just so talented and I draw inspiration and styles and tips and such from all of their stories.

Who is your favorite character from the Abogrugon Chronicles?

Another impossible question! All of ‘em! OK, fine, I like Mr. Kerbobble, Mr. Grayson, and Rutabaga the best. 

When do you like to write? Morning or evening?

I get the most inspiration in the morning, but I write more in the afternoon and evening. Makes perfect sense, right?

What are some of your other projects besides the Abogrugon Chronicles? 

I’m writing two fantasies, one explorer and pirate novella, one slightly-futuristic archaeologist adventure story, and a few others, including Abougrugon Chronicles 2. 

Are there any authors who have been especially influential in your writing journey? 

Um… maybe C.S. Lewis and JRR Tolkien, although not from the books. I draw inspiration from visual things, mostly, so thanks to them for writing the books that got turned into movies that inspired me so XD

Will there be more books in the Abogrugon Chronicles?

Yep! Book 2 is in the works, and I’m brainstorming a few more silly ideas too. Here’s a little rough sneak peek to book 2.

“WILL YOU QUIET DOWN?” Bellowed Cooper Drivacoach as the carriage hit a bump and set his hat flying from his head.

His yell immediately quieted the passel of young folks in the coach, much to his relief. All Cooper wanted was to get these new University for All Things Unimportant students to their destination as soon as possible and find some quieter customers. Preferably quieter customers with lots of money who tipped well.

On this particular day, Cooper had approximately seven passengers, give or take a few due to particularly uneven roads: Calliope, Romilly, Kale, Piffle, Rafferty, Noely, and Kassilla. All under the age of thirteen, all with boundless energy that drove Cooper to the brink of insanity.

On the edge of his seat, urging his hired horses faster and faster, Cooper raised his anxious face to view the road ahead.

Oh, joy! He could see the mile-high bungee-jumping and trust-falling tower of the school far in the distance. He pushed the horses even more despite their grumblings. 

“Mister Cooper,” said Piffle suddenly from right beside the jackalope’s ear, causing him to jump, “are we nearly there?”

“See for yerself,” Cooper sighed, gesturing wearily to the tower.

Also… that may be all I have so far written. *awkward chuckle*

What tips would you give to someone just starting out in publishing their first book? 

Well, I’d say get advice from a pro. I’ve peppered Madisyn Carlin with endless questions throughout this whole thing, and she has been super helpful to me. Schedule carefully, give yourself time, and don’t do what I did and schedule release day for when you’re not home XD

What would you do if someone handed you a notebook, an elephant, and a pickle?

*wheezes* what? Lucy… *sighs*
I’d stash away the notebook in my collection of too-pretty-to-use notebooks, bury the pickle a hundred feet down while wearing a hazmat suit, and tame the elephant to be my royal mount. I’d name it Horton.

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And that’s that! If you haven’t yet, go check out Bree’s blog, and her book at Goodreads or Amazon. I guarantee you will love it if you get your hands on it.

Find the rest of the blog tour at:

Sept. 2: Blog tour kickoff on Laughs and Literature
Book spotlightish odds and ends on Elisabeth Joy’s Instagram

Sept. 3: Character interview on Laughs and Literature
Book spotlight on a Handful of Quietness

Sept. 4: Book review on Madi’s Musings
Book spotlight on Marshmallow Tidbits
Sneak peek on the Journey to Write

Sept. 5: Book review on Two Friends One Pen
Book spotlight on Kristina Hall’s blog

Sept. 6: Author interview on Lulu’s Library
Book spotlight on Bloom in Him

Sept. 7: End post on Laughs and Literature