MJ Fitzmaurice Shares His Creative Vision, Personal Inspirations, And Exciting Future Plans
Photo: MJ Fitzmaurice, celebrated author of the Shasha’s Team series, shares insights into his creative process and passion for storytelling.
Crafting Urban Fantasy And Horror With Emotional Depth
MJ Fitzmaurice discusses his journey as a writer, inspirations for Shasha’s Team series, blending fantasy and horror, character development, future projects, and advice for aspiring authors.
M J Fitzmaurice is a name that resonates deeply with fans of urban fantasy and horror. A storyteller of unmatched imagination, Fitzmaurice crafts narratives that transport readers into meticulously detailed worlds, brimming with complex characters and enthralling plots. His “Shasha’s Team” series has captivated readers with its blend of contemporary settings, supernatural intrigue, and unforgettable protagonists—especially Shasha Harrings, a mysterious and driven leader who embodies strength, intellect, and humanity. Fitzmaurice’s ability to balance the magical and the realistic makes his work not just compelling but profoundly relatable, pulling readers into a universe that feels as tangible as it is otherworldly.
As the editor of Mosaic Digest magazine, it’s both an honor and a pleasure to feature MJ Fitzmaurice in this issue. A writer whose journey spans the rugged landscapes of Alaska, the bustling streets of Chicago, and the quiet charms of New Hampshire, Fitzmaurice brings a rich tapestry of experiences to his writing. His books are meticulously crafted works of art, blending vivid settings, deftly constructed narratives, and emotionally resonant character arcs. Whether through the thrilling escapades of Shasha and her team or the chilling depths of paranormal encounters, Fitzmaurice has established himself as a master of gripping tales that linger with readers long after the final page.
We’re thrilled to share this exclusive interview, where Fitzmaurice delves into his inspirations, the creative process behind his iconic characters, and his exciting plans for the Shasha’s Team series and beyond. Dive in to learn more about the man behind the magic and what makes his writing resonate so profoundly with fans of urban fantasy and horror.
What inspired you to create the character of Shasha Harrings and her team in your urban fantasy horror series?
I had this short story set in Pre-European Invasion America that I’d written some time ago called “The Night Warrior”, available on Amazon now, that had a demon in it that could only operate in darkness and needed a human host for it to materialize. It was especially aggressive and killed anyone it could reach while tethered to its host. The story ended on sort of a cliffhanger, the demon isn’t killed.
It was always in the back of my mind to write a contemporary paranormal/horror story using the demon, but I really didn’t have the protagonists fleshed out until I actually started writing it. Shasha was conceived as sort of a female Batman; mysterious, insanely rich and privileged, but a leader dedicated to making the world a safe place. Her team developed as I wrote the story.
How do your personal experiences living in various places around the country influence your writing and the settings in your books?
It gives me a broader selection of places to set my stories in. I’ve lived in so many states, and spent a lot of time in many more. For the ‘Shasha’s Team’ series I set their headquarters in Chicago because I spent a lot of time there as a software trainer.
I really love Chicago, the people, the city, the food, most especially The Field Museum. It is one of my favorite places in the whole world.
Can you tell us more about the plot of The Bottled Gods and what readers can expect from this third instalment in the series?
There is alcoholism and drug abuse in my family. Though I’ve never had a problem with it, my mother was always worried I’d turn out like my grandfather who was an abusive alcoholic. I had an uncle, Uncle Denis, who died in his 50’s from liver disease.
So, when thinking about what sort of demon I’d write about next, I got the idea of a demon that attached itself to alcoholics, making them feel super powerful, but then losing any memory of what they had done while the demon was in them.
I developed the antagonist in this story as a witch who mourns the loss of her husband and blames the world for his death.
I may use this 3rd book as sort of a springboard to another series that will be more traditionally paranormal, with communities of werewolves, fairies, witches etc.
How do you balance the elements of horror, fantasy, and adventure in your writing to create a compelling narrative?
I have always enjoyed realistic fantasy, where the characters and settings are people and places that feel real. I got that from reading ‘The Crystal Cave’ by Mary Stewart. Later, I found the same sort of thing in Carlos Casteneda’s series starting with ‘The Teachings of Don Juan’. That magical realism struck a chord in me. I think most of us who read fantasy want something magical in our lives. I want to write fantasies that the reader can imagine themselves living in, being a part of that magic.
What research do you undertake to ensure the supernatural elements in your stories are believable and engaging for readers?
I don’t really do a lot of research into the supernatural, maybe because I’ve read so much about the subject throughout my life. I do research places and things like the command structure in Federal law enforcement or the travelling done by Rhonda with the team following her, I researched the routes and travel times. The actual elements of the story are often inspired from my reading and watching movies.
I like dropping little easter eggs here and there. For instance, there’s a scene where Rhonda is in a warehouse used by drug dealers. DEA agent Grace Ortiz is training her weapon on Rhonda who has taken a hostage. Rhonda tells Grace to drop her weapon or the hostage will die. Grace drops her weapon and Rhonda kills the hostage and shoots Grace.
I always roll my eyes at this trope. The hero puts his/her gun down and tries to talk the proven killer into dropping their weapon. It always grates on my nerves that the perp doesn’t just shoot them both, so I guess you could say that scene came as a sort of catharsis; a reaction to that unlikely trope.
How do you develop the relationships between the characters in your series, and what importance do you place on character development?
To me, characters are everything, well half anyway, plot is equally or near equally important. I love Stephen King stories because he develops characters I love, or want to have a beer with, or want to kill slowly and painfully. King can make me hate him for killing off a character I’ve fallen in love with. That’s his true talent in my opinion. To me, if I can get my readers to really feel for the characters, then I’m a successful writer.
I especially love developing quirky characters. In ‘The Coupling’, Harry and Merry are a couple favorites. I mean, who are these people and why are they running a restaurant they discourage people from eating in? I love getting into their heads and turning them into real people. I look forward to exploring their lives in future episodes.
Are there any plans to expand the Shasha’s Team series beyond the current trilogy, or do you have other projects in the pipeline?
Oh my god, I have so many ideas… for years and years I struggled to find something to write about. Now, I have more ideas then I have years left to write them all.
For Shasha’s Team currently, I have books 4 to 8 in concept. The next one will involve an ancient hurdy-gurdy and a demon fused to it. When you play it, the demon comes alive.
I have two other novels in process, a science fiction novel and the 2nd book of my YA fantasy series about four young people who suddenly develop magic skills based on the four elements.
I’m finishing up a novel that is contemporary paranormal, the second book of the series “The Black Wizard”. It’s a Twilight Zone meets Warehouse 13 concept.
What advice would you give to fellow authors who are looking to write in the urban fantasy horror genre and build a loyal readership?
Write… write… write. I’ve been told it takes about 20 books to start being financially successful.
Get an editor, I didn’t realize how much I could improve my writing with an editor until I hired one. You need someone to give you a different perspective and guide you on perfecting your work.
Most important is your author platform, developing a social media presence and a mailing list.
I took a course back in 2019 about marketing books. I have taught basic marketing to dozens of writers. Here’s a link to my free book and anyone who wants to ask me a question regarding book marketing, can contact me through my website. The Six Elements of Bookmarketing.
