Feature: The Chaosifier (Mike Evers)

Today I have a special guest on the blog today, but I will let him introduce himself because he does a much better job! This is the most entertaining interview I've done and I think everyone should stop by his fabulous blog and check it out!

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Thank you for this opportunity, please allow me to introduce myself.  I am known to most as The Mountain Lord and I reside in the Karkonose Mountains in central Europe. I do not get out much these days, so my old friend Mike Evers has asked me along to talk about his book - The Chaosifier.  Actually, I am not sure why he has not turned up. My guess is that he is either busy changing his son's nappies, or he is lazing about somewhere, dreaming up silly ideas for books.

I think the idea for an edible bookshelf is a splendid one. However, if I had one installed in my citadel, it would not last two minutes with all those greedy little gnomes running around.  Anyway, thank you for having me, DelSheree.

1.       What was the inspiration for The Chaosifier?

Mike once told me that he originally got the idea from an MA thesis he was doing many moons ago on the topic of prediction in social sciences. I can sense your eyelids getting heavy already! Anyway, the idea is based on the idea that our lives are shaped by decisions and events that occur to us all the time - so-called 'Bifurcation Points'. The paths of fate, so to speak. So what if there is a force which helps good things happen to us at these precise moments?  Thus Mike decided to use Luck Goblins (Bifurs) in the story to bring people luck just when they need it (and causing them to sneeze). Then, he needed a baddy - a dark, chaotic force. - an über antagonist. That is where I come in. I am very good at it too I will have you know!

2.       Would you classify his writing as plot driven or character driven?

I would say both. Perhaps there is more of a leaning towards characters. No, it could be plot. No, definitely characters, I would say. Then again... Gah!

I am SO indecisive sometimes.

3.       Can you tell us a little about your main character?

People are always on about those goody-two-shoes Bifurs, with their close-knit little military units, hiding away in woodlands and graveyards.  It is so very boring doing good things all the time, like helping  people find stuff they have lost, or letting them win some money when they have bills to pay.

It is about time there was more said about me. Ahem.  I am more than a thousand years old, though even I cannot be sure precisely. I am married to a lovely lady called Rubena, who has an odd fixation with turnips. It is a curse, you see.  Actually, I could talk about myself for hours. But some clever soul has written about me on Wikipedia. You can find it here. 

4.       Which of your supporting characters was the most challenging to write?

I cannot speak with conviction for the 'other side', but I imagine Mike had a difficult time writing about Bosko.  He is a brave, selfless and reckless sort of Bifur. He has quite a complicated back story involving a family feud in Poland.

5.       Without giving away too much, tell us a little about the main conflict in this book.

That is easy. It's good luck versus chaos, of course.

6.       Why did you choose this genre?

I did not choose it. It chose me. When you are a legendary figure like me,  it is only a matter of time before someone writes about you. I believe it is called Urban Fantasy nowadays.  It's not very urban where I live I must say. My citadel is on top of a mountain called Hrom Hora (Thunder Mountain). It is an excellent place to wreak havoc from. You will have to come and see for yourself.

7.       What do you hope readers take away from this book?

It should at least make you think about some of the absurdities of life. How things can get out of hand if you allow them to. But most of all it should encourage you to do good things. Not like I did in the story.

8.       Who are your favorite authors?

I doubt you will of heard of him, but my favourite writer is a gnome intellectual called Rornl of Quamdo. He has written a wonderful book called 'The Gnome Paradox'.  I did have a copy floating around in my study, but I think one of my servants is using it as a door stop.

9.       Do you have any interesting rituals or habits when you write?

Well, I do not know about writing, but I do have the terrible habit of rubbing my nose when I am doing weather experiments.  It becomes a particular problem when I am casting lightning, as I have on quite a few occasions lost my eyebrows.

10.   Can you tell us about any future projects?

It is no secret that my gnome technicians are currently working on a new chaos machine for me. The last one was a bit, erm, chaotic.  What I will do with it is anyone's guess. Perhaps it will never be finished. Oh, and I plan to finally count all of Ruby's turnips once and for all. I have been saying that for centuries, mind you.

Please come and visit me at my home. You can find me here:

View from the Citadel

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