Max leads an ordinary life, constrained by societal expectations and his insecurities. When he transforms into Luna, he embraces a fulfilling world of graphic design and creativity he has always yearned for, but as a woman.
This is Megan Leyman, author of the recently released modern-fantasy tale, The Trip Between the Two.
We spoke with Megan about the importance of Japanese manga on her creativity, how Megan’s own journey influenced the one shared by Max and Luna and how she manages her everyday life whilst embracing her love and passions.
I’d like to start this conversation talking about the cover of The Trip Between the Two and the influence that manga has had on the final design. What role does manga play in your everyday life and what about the genre has impacted you creatively?
I read manga every day, been reading manga since 2006-ish, I like reading a chapter of something to distract me from the world around me and dive up to a really good story. Like today I’ve been reading the most recent chapter of a great body-swap manga called Hope You’re Happy, Lemon.
I love nearly every genre there is but, I have to say the crossdressing/gender-bending genre has impacted me creatively as there is some series that have really got a hold & inspired me, mainly one called Wandering Son that is eerily like my childhood. The series which I own the first volume in English and the whole series in Japanese, is one of my most priced items.
Your book is a complex exploration of the human psyche, identity and gender - telling a poignant story of embracing one’s true self. How much of Max’s and Luna’s journey is inspired by your own journey?
Max’s journey is about 90% inspired by my own journey when I was around 17 working my first job in Debenhams selling suitcases, this is what Rhiki & Copper Bell Luggage are based on. Luna is inspired by.... hmm it’s complicated to explain but she’s based on how I used to incorrectly think women were like when I was hiding at home crossdressing, using the internet as the only way of researching things without asking those around me as I was too shy to ask.
When we meet Max, he is working in a job that is detrimental to his creative self, draining all his energy on a gruelling and unwanted occupation. I wanted to ask how you aim to balance your love of writing and printing alongside your job?
Prior to writing The Trip Between the Two, it was a balance of working a part time job & printing trying to get some sales. It's changed in recent years with me retiring my print business, now just doing it time to time (such as I will spend a month in November bringing out my printing equipment once more as a way of saying thank you to everyone who has been supporting me) as I now work full time. So, to answer your question, I’m aiming on trying to keep a healthy balance of writing, work, the occasional printing and most importantly I’m going to make sure I’ve got time to chill and have a break.
Body-swap stories have been told across mediums many times before – with my personal favourite being the film Your Name from 2016. By using fantasy, and discussing the topic of gender, how did you strive to tell your story in a new way?
Oh, Your Name is such a great film!
I think what my makes story unique is using my life as inspiration as everyone's life is different, there will be people who have dealt with similar problems to me but not 100% the same and using the element of fantasy mixed in should help with that.
Finally, I know you have previously stated that this book is the first in a Between Two trilogy. Is this still the case and if so, what can readers expect from the next instalment?
Oh, I can say that I will only be revealing some of the answers to questions that some people may have after reading the first story as not everything gets explained due to it’s only the beginning of the main characters story. Plus, you will find out more about a certain character I introduced at the very end.
The Trip Between the Two is available now in paperback.
