Inside the Mind - Mark Gunning

It all started when an author visited my school. Watching them bring stories to life made me realize two things: first, that writing books was actually a thing real people could do, and second, that there weren’t nearly enough books aimed at kids who didn’t love reading—especially boys. I wanted to change that. I started writing funny, fast-paced stories packed with twists, humour, and just enough chaos to keep even the most reluctant readers hooked. My goal has always been simple: make kids laugh, make them curious, and make them want to read the next page.

Absolutely! The Itchygooney Witch is a spooky, twist-filled mystery featuring my favourite trouble-magnets, William and Thomas. It’s Halloween in the town of Itchygooney, and when their neighbour Mrs. Bumble suddenly goes away, the boys start seeing strange lights, eerie shadows, and a mysterious symbol burned into the grass. Obviously, the only logical explanation is… witchcraft. With cellphones in hand and curiosity dialed to max, they launch a full-blown investigation. What they uncover is a mix of tricks, treats, and a revenge plan so sneaky it could only come from two elderly masterminds. It’s got laughs, suspense, and a final twist that might just make you question everything—even who’s really in charge of the firepit.

My characters are inspired by people I’ve known throughout my life—but don’t worry, their true identities are very well hidden (and probably relieved about that!). I take real traits, funny habits, or memorable moments from those folks and mix them up with a good splash of imagination and exaggeration. It’s like a secret recipe where reality meets creativity. This way, my characters feel real and relatable but still have enough quirks and chaos to keep the stories lively and unpredictable. William and Thomas? They’re definitely a mash-up of some classic troublemakers I’ve crossed paths with—just with a bit more luck and a lot less adult supervision.

A typical writing day for me starts when I find some quiet time in my office—my personal creative HQ. My desk is usually covered with notes, scribbles, and random ideas I’ve jotted down while working on drafts. I like to keep a notepad handy to track my thoughts and update my story as new ideas pop up. First, I brainstorm and jot down ideas before I even touch the keyboard. Once I feel ready, I hammer away at the keys, writing until I feel like I’ve made real progress—whether that’s a whole chapter or just a few solid paragraphs. Because I write part-time while holding another job, I have to make every minute count, but that’s part of the fun—balancing storytelling with real life keeps me sharp.

The best part hands down is running into kids—and sometimes parents or teachers—who tell me they love my books. There’s nothing like hearing that I’ve helped a kid enjoy reading, especially those who might not have picked up a book otherwise. For me, it’s all about sparking that fun, “just one more chapter” feeling. Knowing my stories get kids turning pages with smiles—that’s the real win.

The biggest challenge has been finding time to write amid all the other stuff life throws at me. Between my day job and everyday chaos, carving out quiet writing moments feels like trying to catch a shadow—tricky, but not impossible. Someday, I’d love to make writing my full-time gig, so I can finally spend my days chasing stories instead of deadlines.

I recently discovered Atticus, and it’s been a game-changer for me. I’ve been transferring my older books into it, and it makes writing, formatting, and organizing so much easier—like having a super-smart assistant right on my computer. If you’re a writer looking for something that just works, I definitely recommend giving Atticus a try!

My best advice? Follow your passion and write about what you love. For me, that’s chaos and shenanigans—so I fill my stories with plenty of both! When you write what excites you, it shows on the page and hooks readers in. Plus, writing becomes way more fun (and way less like homework).

I’ve been focusing on social media, posting about my books across all my platforms—usually three times a week on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday. It seems to be the sweet spot for keeping readers interested without overwhelming them (or me!). Honestly, promotion is super time-consuming, and I wish I had more hours in the day to figure out all the tricks. But I’m learning as I go—slowly turning the chaos into a strategy!

Definitely! I’m diving into the next Itchygooney Mysteries book, currently called The Screaming Tunnel—and trust me, it’s shaping up to be just as spooky and fun as the first. Besides that, I’m revisiting my original I Told You So! series for a rewrite, polishing up those boys’ adventures and gearing up to write the fifth book in the series. And who knows? I might finally get around to that picture book idea that’s been bouncing around my brain for a while. Lots of stories waiting to jump off the page!