What does it take to keep creating before the rewards show up?
In Episode 4 of Season 2, I sit down with Marvellous Michael Anson, solutions architect, filmmaker and author of Firstborn of the Sun, for a conversation about storytelling, discipline, Yoruba mythology, creative identity, publishing, imposter syndrome and what it really takes to build a sustainable creative life.
We talk about writing across deadlines, balancing a full time career with creativity, why stories need to be lived as much as written, and the journey from self publishing to landing a fantasy trilogy with Penguin Michael Joseph.
Marve also opens up about the cultural foundation behind Firstborn of the Sun, the importance of Yoruba oral storytelling, writing for Yoruba readers first, her relationship with her grandmother, the pressure of book two, and why rest matters when you are building something meaningful.
This episode is for anyone trying to create anyway, even when life is busy, the industry is hard, the doubts are loud, and the work still needs to be done.
Follow Marvellous Michael Anson:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justmarvewrites
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@justmarvewrites
Website: https://www.justmarve.org/home
Preorder Marve’s new book, The Heir of the Shadow:
https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/462761/heir-of-the-shadow-by-anson-marvellous-michael
Follow The Modern Journey:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/modernjourneyhq
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@modernjourneyhq
Newsletter: https://modernjourneyhq.com
Hamza Idris on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hamzaidris
Chapters:
00:00 Preview
00:46 Welcome to Marvellous Michael Anson
03:13 Watching TV as a filmmaker
06:03 Congratulations on submitting book two
07:28 Little Marv and the beginning of storytelling
10:30 What kept her faithful to writing
12:45 Wearing many hats
13:05 What balance looks like in real life
16:49 Why life outside writing matters
20:18 From self publishing to Penguin Michael Joseph
21:38 Learning to negotiate creative decisions
24:31 When she felt like an author
26:38 Choosing business school over film school
31:13 What aspiring authors misunderstand
35:57 Discipline behind the writing life
37:37 Firstborn of the Sun
38:44 Yoruba mythology and world building
40:20 Oral storytelling and cultural memory
43:25 Writing for Yoruba readers first
46:19 Reverence, imagination and creative freedom
49:03 When characters surprise you
52:45 Her grandmother’s influence
57:30 What to expect from book two
59:20 The Heir of the Shadow
01:01:45 What makes a story unmistakably Marv’s
01:02:36 Imposter syndrome and the final chapter
01:04:04 Researching fight scenes
01:07:15 What she will protect as a writer
01:08:53 Diversity in publishing
01:11:36 What this season requires from her
01:13:27 Final thoughts
If this conversation resonates with you, follow The Modern Journey and share the episode with someone who needs to hear it.
#TheModernJourney #Writing #Creativity #YorubaMythology #FirstbornOfTheSun
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