We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Marcus E.T. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Marcus below.

Marcus, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. So, let’s start with a hypothetical – what would you change about the educational system?

I would encourage more art programs and lessons tailored toward the strengths and interests of students. I applied my interest in science fiction to my lessons in grade school, which helped me excel, but I think many kids are written off as problematic or slow learners only because teachers cannot keep their interest or understand how to convey information better to them. I also think more screening should be done with teachers to ensure they are gifted educators and passionate about youth.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am the author of three self-published books (so far): Chimera Revolution: The Nue-Gaea Chronicles, Freaky and Fantastical 500 Words or Less, and most recently, 20 Paces: The Four Revenants.

I have also edited several children’s books and ministry books and scripts. My short stories and comics have also been published in several magazines and anthologies over the years.

Since the age of 8, I have had an interest in science fiction, horror and fantasy stories and began writing my own and reading them to my class. I won my first writing at age 9 and obtained a degree in Journalism from North Carolina A&T. I enjoy writing human interest stories and stories about achievements of small businesses when it comes to journalism, but creative writing is my passion. I hope to one day see one of my stories on the big or small screen. I have also entered several screenwriting contests.

What do you find most rewarding about being creative?

I think the most rewarding aspect for me is using my talent and experience to aid others by editing or contributing new ideas to their work and also being able to inspire and entertain others with my own work as I was by creators when I was growing up.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

I think people can get more out of their creative journey if they apply more “what-ifs” and more of their passion to their work instead of solely focusing on the business.

By “what-ifs”, I mean asking what if something amazing or horrifying happened in a mundane situation? Or what if a movie or book you’re reading was built on a completely different premise or went in a totally different direction. This is how I generate a lot of ideas for my stories, by recreating old stories or restructuring tropes.

And as far as passion over business, I think people often allow money and opinions of others to stunt their creative growth. I know sometimes it did for me, which is why I didn’t write much creatively between middle school and college. I was thinking I had to write the next great Stephen King or James Cameron-level novel to be successful as a writer, so I spent more time journaling and planning stories rather than just writing the story that people could actually read. I think getting weighed down by overthinking the money-making, marketing side of creating can be draining and distracting to the process. The same goes for worrying about critics. Just producing the content you want to make or you think needs to be made should be the priority. I am still in my head at times because I like to get my stories right the first time and I am my biggest critic, but I feel a certain catharsis once I get the full story out of my head from beginning to end.