author spotlight
Author Interview: Bonnie Wynne
Debut #LoveOZYA author Bonnie Wynne took the time to answer some questions from @SarahSacaKat earlier in the week.
Firstly, thank you Bonnie for taking the time to answer my questions. Just reading the synopsis for The Ninth Sorceress gets me excited and I can’t wait to get my hands on a copy.
Q: Where did the inspiration for The Ninth Sorceress come
from?
A: It’s tricky to say
exactly where the seed came from. I’m a bit of a bowerbird when I’m reading or
watching TV or playing games, and when something strikes me as interesting then
I always think ‘ooh, how can I use this in my book?’
So I’d say my inspiration
for The Ninth Sorceress came
from a lot of places over the years. But I definitely credit the authors I
loved while I was growing up, like Robert Jordan and Isobelle Carmody and Frank
Herbert and Anne McCaffrey. They were big influences on my work, and without
them, The Ninth Sorceress probably
never would have been written.
Q: Did much change from the first draft to the final copy
of this book?
A: I wrote The Ninth Sorceress really, really
slowly. There are parts I wrote over 15 years ago! So it’s safe to say a lot
has changed between the first draft and the final copy.
My original concept
skewed a lot more sci-fi (there was at least one scene set in space!) The
characters changed, the world changed, the ending changed… It’s almost
unrecognisable.
I also cut about 60,000
words before submitting to Talem, and trimmed another 20,000 words after that.
It was tough to cut all that material I’d spent so long writing, but ultimately
it was for the best.
Q: If you could go back to when you first started writing
The Ninth Sorceress and give yourself any advice, what would it be?
A: I would advise
myself to make an outline before I started writing! While I was working on this
book, I took a ‘make it up as you go along’ approach, and I ended up wasting a
lot of time pursuing plot threads that ultimately went nowhere and ended up
getting cut.
These days, I try to
leave room to experiment and make changes as I go, but also plan where I want
to end up and what plot points I want to hit along the way. It saves a lot of
stress.
Q: Did you always want to be a writer?
A: Being a writer is
the only thing I can remember ever wanting to be. Even when I was in
kindergarten I used to write ‘books’ (on printer paper, folded and stapled
together) and try to sell them to my neighbours and friends.
Q: What advice do you have for young people who want to
become writers?
A: Critique, critique,
critique. Both giving and receiving. It’s really scary at first to have people
reading your work and looking for problems, but it’s the only way to improve.
You also learn a lot from reading other people and paying attention to what works
and what doesn’t.
I think we’re all
precious about our work at first, which is normal because writing is such a
personal thing and it can be hard to separate a criticism of the work from a
criticism of you as a person. But
ultimately it’s not personal, and the faster you can get used to it, the
better.
Q: Do you have habits/rituals to help you write – be it
background music, a fave snack etc?
A: I don’t really have
habits or rituals, but I do have a few quirks.
For starters, I need
complete silence (I can’t write at all if there’s music playing). Even a
ticking clock can annoy me. I admire all the mums and dads who can write in a
house full of screaming kids! I could never.
I also prefer to write
in really big chunks. I’m not somebody who can sit down and write 1,000 words
and then head off to work. I need a six-hour stretch to write non-stop. There’s
a cabin on the South Coast that I really love, and I try to get down there a
few times a year so I can just get in my ‘zone’ and work without distractions.
Although I’m always kind of weird and spaced-out when I come home from a week
with no human contact!
Q: What are you reading at the moment (or what was the last
book you read)?
A: I just finished Queen
of Nothing by Holly Black – a great finish to the series, with some crazy
twists and turns! I really want to read Leigh Bardugo’s Six of Crows
duology next. I’ve been avoiding it because I normally hate ‘heist’ stories.
But all her other books are amazing, so it might finally be time to take the
plunge.
Q: The #AusYABloggers are all about promoting and
supporting Aussie and Kiwi Authors. Do you have any favourite #LoveOzYA or
#LoveNzYA books (other than your own of course)?
A: I really can’t give
enough praise to my fellow Talem Press author Bronwyn Eley’s debut novel Relic. I gobbled it up in about two days when it came out last
year, and it was such a fantastic
start to the series. Bron has a real gift for dialogue, and I love that she
gives all her scenes room to breathe. It never feels like she’s just sprinting
from one plot point to the next. She won’t give me any spoilers for future
books, so I have to wait to see what happens next!
Once again, thank you
so much Bonnie for taking the time to answer my questions.
Keep your eyes on the
#AusYABloggers blog on Feb 13, as Jade from @romanceanddragons will be sharing
a review of The Ninth Sorceress.
THE NINTH SORCERESS,
Bonnie Wynne's debut fantasy
novel, is slated for release February 13.
Title: The Ninth Sorceress
Author: Bonnie Wynne
Publisher: Talem Press, Writer's Edit
Release
Date: February
13th, 2020
In the blackest dungeon of the Clockwork City, a prisoner lies bound in silver shackles. Who is she? And why are the wizards so afraid of her?
Seventeen-year-old Gwyn has no family and no past. Apprenticed to a half-mad herbalist, she travels the snow-blasted High Country, hawking potions in a peddler’s wagon. Her guardian hides her from the world like a dark secret, and she knows better than to push for answers.
But when she discovers she is hunted by the goddess Beheret, Gwyn is drawn into a deep and ancient tale: of chained gods and lost magic, of truths long buried and the rising of a war she never could have imagined.
Wizards and their magic-sniffing hounds pursue her – as does a stranger in a smiling mask, who calls her by an unfamiliar name…
But what really terrify her are the dangerous gifts she’s spent her life suppressing. Now, Gwyn must step out of the shadows and take charge of her destiny – even if the price is her own soul.
The Ninth Sorceress is the breathtaking first instalment of The Price of Magic, a sweeping fantasy saga full of rich storytelling and tangible magic.
About the author:
Bonnie Wynne studied Writing and Cultural Studies at UTS, and completed her law degree at the University of Sydney. After a brief stint in legal publishing, she now works for the Australian government, deciphering ancient law tomes.
She lives in Sydney with her cocker spaniel, Percival Hector (Canine Inspector). When she's not reading or writing, she can be found playing video games, booking her next holiday, or elbow-deep in flour.
THE NINTH SORCERESS is her debut novel and the first book in her series, THE PRICE OF MAGIC.
Q&A with debut #LoveOzYA author Bronwyn Eley
Bronwyn finally found her natural habitat when she landed her first job in the publishing industry. While she has always been a writer, it was only when surrounding herself with books that she realised her life's dream was to become an author. RELIC is her first novel.
Bronwyn lives in Sydney and spends her time eating chocolate, reading and practicing her martial arts.
Jade of @romanceanddragons had the opportunity to interview Bronwyn as part of the pre-release celebrations for RELIC.
Q: Where did the inspiration for Relic come from?
A: Sadly I don’t remember the exact inspiration moment but over the years I have been influenced by amazing stories from authors like Maria V. Snyder, Tolkien, Leigh Bardugo and Jay Kristoff.
Q: Did much change from the first draft to the final copy of this book?
A: Did it ever! The original idea of Relic was actually very different to what it is now. I never actually wrote the original idea. The story developed over time before I even wrote anything. The first physical draft was about 82,000 words and now it sits closer to 110K! I did a few drafts myself before submitting the novel to Talem Press and, working with my publisher and editor, it has had a few edits since.
Q: Was there anything that surprised you when writing this book?
A: How hard it was to follow through on some decisions I had made about certain characters. I don’t want to spoil anything but there was one character in particular that, before I started writing, I decided certain things about and when it came down to actually following through, it was hard! I still think I made the right decision but once you start writing, you grow attached to certain characters.
Q: Do you have any habits to help you write?
A: Good music helps. Nothing with lyrics, I always pop on a great instrumental mix on YouTube –something soft and quiet, like a LOTR mix playing the lovely Hobbit-ish themes. If the music gets too dramatic or epic (for example, I tried music from The Last of the Mohicans once) then I can’t concentrate because all I want to do is listen!
Q: Did you always want to be a writer?
A: Absolutely. I’ve been writing since before I can remember. In primary school one of my teachers told my parents that I was ‘too creative’ (what?) – I think because I wrote insane stories with aliens in them. I wrote my whole life but I didn’t realise that I wanted to be an author until a few years ago. I think deep down I knew but one day it just clicked. Since then I have spent every free moment working towards that goal and even now, being published, this is only the beginning of a very long journey! I can’t wait to see where it takes me.
Q: Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?
A: When it comes to writing, you have to listen to your heart. For years I resisted writing Relic because I was trying to finish this other novel. When I finally embraced Relic (and my first attempt at writing YA fantasy), the floodgates opened and I have been inundated with ideas ever since. Don’t write what you think you should write; write what you want to write. Write the story you want to read and your passion for it will ring off the page.
Q: Is there anyone’s writing that you admire or are influenced by?
A: So many authors! In terms of writing style, I love how Juliet Marillier, Garth Nix and Neil Gaiman all write. They have this fabulous way of telling stories that whisk me away. In terms of story plots, I love Jay Kristoff, Leigh Bardugo and Maria V. Snyder. Their stories are always so full of adventure and heartache, how could you not love them!?
Q: Was there a particular chapter or scene that was hard to write?
A: We are in spoiler territory but yes! I won’t tell you details but there were a few chapters near the end of the novel that were hard to write for a few reasons. The first is that they were emotional scenes and hard things were happening to my characters. The second is that you can’t have experienced every emotion in the world, right? So as an author, you have to do your best research to write as true to an experience as you can. The last few chapters really tested me in this regard.
Q: If you could choose any book world to live in which one would you choose and why?
A: I’m always changing my mind and debating this question! I think I would choose Narnia in the end because it is a beautiful world full of amazing creatures and magic. I would like to be a Queen of Narnia too, if I had the choice!
Thank you so much to Bronwyn for taking the time to answer Jade's questions! I'm sure we're all looking forward to reading RELIC!
Relic by Bronwyn EleyGenre: YA Fantasy, #LoveOzYa
Publication: September 12th 2019
Publisher: Talem Press
As the personal servant of the powerful Lord Rennard, the Shadow's life is all but forfeit. Rennard possesses one of five rare and dangerous Relics – a jewel that protects his bloodline, but slowly poisons everyone else in its proximity. When the current Shadow succumbs to its magic, nineteen-year-old blacksmith Kaylan is summoned to take his place.
It's an appointment that will kill her.
As the time Kaylan has left ebbs away, hope begins to fade... That is, until she discovers a plot to destroy all five bloodlines in possession of the Relics.
A rebel force plans to put an end to Rennard's rule and Kaylan suddenly finds herself embroiled in a cause that might just be worth fighting for. But no cause is without its costs…
As her life hangs in the balance and rebellion bears down on Edriast, Kaylan must decide where her loyalties lie – and how she'll leave her mark on the world.
Relic is the absorbing first novel in The Relic Trilogy, a thrillingly dark YA fantasy series.
Jade's thoughts on Relic:
There was a lot happening throughout this book that I ended up reading it in one sitting. I did enjoy most of it but there were parts that I did not like. There was a lot of time jumps that although short, confused me at times and gave the impression that it was rushed. There wasn’t an overpowering amount of world building, just enough to understand what this world is like and intrigue you into wanting to read more.
When first introduced to the main character Kaylan, we see her as a strong-willed character who would do anything for those she cares about. As the story goes on there are times where I didn’t really see that personality anymore (which could have been due to the events), but I think that there could have been a little more character development instead of the time jumps. Jesper is my absolute favourite character throughout the whole book, I love the relationship that she has with Kaylan and it made the story more interesting to read. I also loved Markus, who I have a feeling is going to be important, but am still unsure at this stage (I just really liked how many dogs he has!)
There is still so much more to learn about both the world and the characters, I would like to see a different point of view to be able to see the events from a different perspective. Although I did feel as though the ending was rushed a little, there was so many things that I really loved about this book and I really look forward to reading the next one.
Add RELIC on Goodreads
Author Interview with Ondine Sherman
Sky (The Animal Allies Series #1)
by Ondine Sherman
Published April 15th 2019 by Pantera Press
After her mother’s death, Sky is forced to leave her city life behind and move in with her aunt and uncle in a small Australian town. But the city isn’t all that she leaves behind. Trying to fit in with her new friends means doing things she never dreamt she’d do. And falling for the School Queen’s crush is the least of her worries when she’s confronted by tightly guarded family secrets.
Just as she thinks everything is starting to feel normal, Sky stumbles on a case of animal cruelty that forces her to make some tough decisions. Will Sky risk everything to stand up for what she believes in?
Sometimes you have to lose everything to find yourself.
As a part of the Pantera Press Australia and #AusYABloggers celebrative Sky Tour, Kait from elysian words interviewed Sky's Author, Ondine Sherman.
What inspired you to be a writer and write Sky?
When growing up did you ever dream of being an author?
Did you enjoy reading and writing?
(I’ve combined these questions below, hope it’s okay)
I always loved to read and write and my diaries were full of poems and stories. When I was young I dreamed of working with animals and I considered many different professions, such as becoming a nature writer for National Geographic, veterinarian or wildlife documentary maker. In high school I did my work experience at the RSPCA and later worked in communication roles with several Australian wildlife and nature conservation organisations. I then founded Voiceless, the animal protection institute, with my father Brian and that became (and still is!) my passion. It wasn’t until ten years ago that I started writing seriously and I didn’t want to stop. I hope to continue writing for a long time, conveying a message about animal protection that is essential to my life and beliefs.
Are there any books or movies that had a particular influence on the story and characters you created?
Many books influenced and touched me when I was young – I particularly loved books written from the perspective of animals and brought their experiences, their voices, to life. When I was little, I wanted to transport myself into the British countryside and the world of Beatrix Potter’s Peter Rabbit. Roald Dahl’s Fantastic Mr. Fox was a favourite because the foxes were the heroes of the story. Reading these books inspired me to write the character of Sky’s chicken, Chirp. I was also a big reader of Judy Bloom books because they summed up the teenage girl experience, with all the awkwardness and anxieties. I tried to reflect this experience in Sky and her insecurities and social pressures.
I’m a huge movie fan and there are countless animal-centric movies that have inspired me. I dreamed of talking to animals like in the film Dr. Doolittle. Recently I saw a brilliant film, The Isle of Dogs which is super creative and thought-provoking about how we treat animals we consider unwanted or label as ‘pests’. I was also heavily influenced when I was younger by wildlife films like Gorilla’s in the Mist and Born Free which were true stories about people standing up for animals against huge challenges, just like Sky.
How is your love for animals reflected in Sky?
Like Sky, I have loved animals since I was a young child and believe strongly that they deserve to be respected and live a life free of industrialised cruelty and harm.
What was the process of getting Sky published like?
When I wrote Sky I had no idea if I would find a publisher. It was such a wonderful elated feeling, after a year of searching, to find someone who believed in the story. Publishing can be hard but the key is to not give up! I am very excited that Pantera Press is now my publisher and committed to the Animal Allies Series.
Are you planning on writing more books?
The second book in my series is called Snow and it is coming out this July. I hope readers will love the setting as much as I do – the stunning vast frozen landscapes of winter Alaska. Sky meets her father for the first time, gets to know Jaxon, a local musician, and discovers a spectacular world full of wildlife. I am currently working on the third book, Star, for release next year.
What's your best advice on writing and the best advice you were given?
Ernest Heminway said that ‘the only kind of writing is re-writing’ and that is so true. One imagines from movie scenes that writers type out their book and, bingo, it’s finished. That’s not what really happens. The first draft is only the foundation for tens of re-writes and slowly the book is formed and refined. It’s a slow and patient process but one that I really enjoy. The other advice I would give is not to over-think. Just allow yourself to put words on paper, as much as possible, and mute the naysayers in your head that tell you it’s not good enough. If you are too self-critical at first, it makes creativity impossible. Just let yourself be free to write imperfectly. Later on, you can fix and refine the language and story.
What are some of your favourite animals?
Our house is full of rescue dogs, cats, chickens and rabbits. I love them all. But, like Sky, I am most obsessed with dogs and, if I had my way, I’d have an entire pack! I also love wildlife. If I was forced to choose, I would say wolves, whales, sea turtles, lions, leopards and elephants are my all time favourites. But it’s very hard to choose!
A BIG THANK YOU TO ONDINE FOR TAKING THE TIME TO ANSWER KAIT'S QUESTIONS.
FOLLOW THE TOUR for reviews, giveaways and more HERE.
You can find Kait's beautiful bookish IG account HERE and other socials HERE.
You can find Kait's beautiful bookish IG account HERE and other socials HERE.
AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT – HELEN SCHEUERER Q&A
We
are so excited to have the Lovely Helen Scheuerer, as our guest this month.
Helen took time out of her busy writing schedule to answer a few questions for
us. Helen
is the author of Heart
of Mist and the founding editor
at Writers Edit.
HEART OF MIST WAS PUBLISHED ON THE 31ST OF AUGUST, CONGRATULATIONS! IF YOU COULD GO BACK PRE-PUBLICATION DAY AND GIVE YOURSELF ANY ADVICE, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
Thank
you! Hmmm… That’s a great question. I think I’d tell myself: Everything’s going to be okay! I was a
massive stress case before the release of Heart
of Mist, and in the end, the book’s success surpassed all my expectations!
WHAT HAS BEEN THE HIGHLIGHT OF YOUR PUBLISHING JOURNEY SO FAR?
So
far, I’d say hitting #1 on Amazon in under 24 hours of the book’s release. That
was an incredibly surreal moment for me. I had worked myself into the ground
trying to get Heart of Mist into the
right hands, and it showed that hard work pays off.
WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE WHO WANT TO BECOME WRITERS?
Write
what you love. Don’t write for a trend or what you think is expected of you.
You’ll never be able to sustain writing something you’re not in love with. I
learnt that the hard way!
HAVE YOU FOUND THAT YOUR WRITING PROCESS HAS CHANGED AT ALL NOW THAT YOU ARE WORKING ON BOOK NUMBER TWO?
My
writing process itself hasn’t changed much, but I’ve found it much harder to
balance writing alongside the marketing of Book I. A book is a living thing,
even after it’s been released - it need nurturing and promoting constantly,
especially in the first few months of its life. And that makes it hard to
create something new at the same time!
CAN YOU TELL US ANYTHING ABOUT BOOK NUMBER TWO IN THE OREMERE CHRONICLES?
Book
II will see all the main players from Book I return. We’ll get to explore the
realm on a much broader scale, and a number of big secrets from Heart of Mist will be revealed...
WHAT ARE YOU READING AT THE MOMENT (OR WHAT WAS THE LAST BOOK YOU READ)?
My
reading has varied quite a lot over the last few months! I’m slowly working my
way through Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander series and am currently on The Fiery Cross. I’ve also read First Year: The Black Mage Apprentice by
Rachel E. Carter.
WE ARE ALL ABOUT PROMOTING BOTH AUSSIE AND NZ AUTHORS - CAN YOU SHARE WITH US ANY FAVOURITES YOU HAVE?
I’ve
recently discovered Gabrielle Tozer and her book Remind Me How This Ends, which I loved! Then I’ve got my classic
faves like Isobelle Carmody and Melina Marchetta.
Thank you so much to Helen for taking the time to answer our questions! I'm sure we're all looking forward to reading Heart of Mist, if we haven’t already!
Author Spotlight - Ellie Marney Guest Post
No Limits Rip
I have a playlist on my phone called ‘No Limits Rip’ that is just music I listened to while writing the
book.
Actually, no, it’s not music I listened to while writing, cos generally I don’t do that, I prefer silence so
the words in my head don’t get mixed up with the lyric words in music. But I had songs on a playlist I could repeat that captured the mood of the story or maybe evoked a certain feeling. Occasionally I
got an idea that some song referenced a particular character, so I stuck that in as well.
I generally listen to playlists while driving. During the writing of No Limits I was working night shifts, so spinning these songs in the car on my way to and from work, late at night along lonely country roads, gave me a chance to really sink into a character’s head.
Do I Wanna Know – Arctic Monkeys
This song is referenced in the very first line of the book, which is my favourite line of the book: ‘Blue-and-red lights swirling over a windscreen whiteout, and the siren sounds exactly like the guitar
feedback loop on an Arctic Monkeys track.’ And it does – the guitar feedback during the final strains
of the song actually sounds exactly like a police siren. Have a listen. Speaking of opening lines: quite
often, you don’t get to keep your favourite opening lines (I have been known to excise the first
chapter entirely during book edits). But this one I liked, so I kept it.
The sense of menace and bad karma in this track seemed a good fit for the start of the story. Now
every time I hear this song, it just reminds me of Harris.
Crystal Balling – Jackie Onassis
I listened to a lot – I mean, a lot – of Aussie hip hop during the writing of the book. Some of it made it into the story, too: this song is referenced explicitly when Harris escapes his Dad’s house and makes a painful eight-kay trek on crutches to the Five Flags, the Five Mile pub, where he enters a raucous Friday night ‘blokes at the pub’ scene.
I like the track because it has that very strident Australian language and a Friday-night feel, plus an awesome brass chorus – it’s kind of uplifting but real, if you know what I mean.
Run – Seth Sentry
I fucking love Seth Sentry. Seriously, I think he could be one of the smartest, most genuine hip hop artists out there right now, and I love this song, which is about being a kid growing up in the suburban Australian peninsula town of Frankston. Again with the Australian language, and a great sense of what it’s like being a teenage shithead, which I thought fit Harris pretty well – he’s a shithead, and he’s trying to cut loose, stay a few steps ahead of the cops and everybody else.
A Place Like This – Majid Jordan
A grim and evocative song for a character like Reggie – Recep ‘Fuck off, soccer’s for wogs’ McLeod.
Lots of kids I know of got into drugs pretty early: a local kid whose family I know was already an ice addict at fifteen. People use drugs for all kinds of reasons, but when you’re still a kid you don’t tend to make very considered choices, y’know? And ice is cheap, and available…and it’s all pretty much downhill from there.
I never saw Reggie as just a bit player in No Limits. He’s probably one of the main reasons I wrote the book. I mean, sure, I wrote it for Harris and Amie, to get their stories told. But the stories that occupy the backdrop to the main action are sometimes the pivots on which events turn. Reggie is a character who showed up on the day and just demanded to be written on his own terms. I’d really like to see him play in the local footy league one day – and if he gets his shit together after No Limits, I think it could actually happen.
Resolution – Matt Corby
There’s a lot of turning points in the story, but I think one of them happens on the day Harris buys a car – which becomes the Pitbull – from Nick Partridge. It’s during the conversation with Nick that Harris realises his interest in Amita Blunt is more than just a passing regard. Something is starting to change inside him, something is pushing him towards finding an escape from his current life of desperation, and he recognises it happening. I like the staunchness of this song, and I love Matt Corby’s voice, and the whole resonance of it.
The Ship Song – Nick Cave
‘I put the radio on. It’s the end of an old Nick Cave song, and Harris starts singing along. I’m somehow not surprised to discover his voice is a warm baritone. He smiles while he sings, hair blowing in his face, and he glances at me until I laugh and join in…’
Nuff said 😊
Burn the Pages – Sia
I love the fierceness of Sia’s voice, and the sense of her being street-wise but still sensitive to life – I think Amie Blunt shows similar characteristics. Amie spends a lot of time twisting herself into knots trying to please other people, which I guess is her way of holding onto them, and holding onto the past. But Amie’s self-awareness and her sense of responsibility also makes her view the world slightly differently. Which might be one of the reasons why she never views Harris in a blinkered way: she’s open to the idea that people change, that everyone is trying to work out life for themselves. Unlike lots of other people in town, she doesn’t denigrate Harris for his choices or his past, or look down on him. And her high expectations give him something to aspire to. Amie’s natural optimism might come across as naivete if her own life experiences haven’t tempered her, given her some fortitude.
Harris’s voice seemed to come naturally, almost fully formed, but Amie was a tougher nut to crack. I had to work quite hard to get into Amie’s head and understand her voice – I certainly spent more time thinking about Amie, and her life, than I spent thinking about Harris and his. But it was important to do that: I had to put Amie in some hair-raising situations, so I needed to understand how she would react. It didn’t really surprise me to discover that, when she’s put under pressure, Amie’s innate courage and resilience come strongly to the fore.
That’s it. A few other songs made it onto the playlist – Hey Now by London Grammar, Brainbox by Hilltop Hoods, This Is Not the Way Home by The Cruel Sea, Turn Down For What by DJ Snake & Lil John, amongst others – but the ones I already talked about were the important ones.
I hope these notes give you some sense of the inspirations behind the writing of No Limits. People are always asking where the ideas come from: mostly the ideas come from inside my weird brain, but music and art and nature and a whole bunch of things go towards sustaining your energy and maintaining flow during the long slog towards the first-draft finish line.
So now No Limits is out in the world – fly free, little bird! I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.
xxEllie
No Limits is available to pre-order now, and to purchase on April 14, 2017.
Author Spotlight - Rachael Craw Q&A
We are so excited to have the fabulous New Zealand author, Rachael Craw, as our guest this month. She very graciously took time out from her busy writing schedule to answer a few questions for us.
What are you reading at the moment (or, what's the last book you read)?
I recently finished Strange The Dreamer by Laini Taylor, which I had been saving for a jolly good wallow. I adore Taylor’s work, her rich imagery, world building and characterisation. I was not disappointed. It was completely exquisite and riveting. I read Fleur Ferris new YA thriller, Wreck afterwards – an adrenaline filled page-turner. I love Ferris’ urgent, action-packed style and I lapped it up. I am just about to read Kylie Scott’s first YA novel, Trust. I’m excited to crack into it.
There's a lot of love for the Spark series in both Australia and NZ, how does it feel to have your characters come to life in other people's imagination?
It’s a dream come true. I love hearing from a reader who has fallen in love with the characters and the world of the story. That kind of investment is priceless.
What has been the highlight of your publishing journey so far?
Gosh, this is tough question. There are so many aspects that never get old – like seeing your book in print for the first time. Hearing from a passionate fan. Going to writer’s festivals has been incredible. I’ve been able to come to Australia for several events that I would never have been able to attend otherwise. The Perth Writer’s Festival, Somerset Celebration of Literature, Reading Matters. Amazing.
Your new book has been announced and I know you're working on that at the moment - what can you tell us about it?
Black Water Cull is YA speculative fiction. It’s set on a mysterious island (I have been fantasizing about setting a novel on an island for few years and I am so in love with the moody/brooding/landscape). There is a dimensional rift through which slip creatures from another time and place causing havoc for the locals. There is a mystical herd of deer protected by an elite force of Rangers. There is an infamously dangerous 4 yearly cull to protect the fragile eco-system of Black Water Island and ruthless fortune hunters who risk everything to get their hands on Actaeon’s Bane a priceless compound only found in the bones of Black Water deer. The cull is really the backdrop to a very human drama. Cal West is a ranger and Meg Archer is a young hunter who returns to the island looking for closure on a childhood trauma that links their lives.
Now that you've had a complete series released, is the writing experience different this time?
No. I always find it hard. Never easy. But I love it. Even when I hate it, I love it. Hopefully, I’m a little more instinctual and have a more refined ear but it’s an ongoing learning curve. I always want to be better.
We are all about promoting both Australian and NZ authors. A lot of our readers don't have much experience with NZ YA - can you share some of your favourites with us?
My favourite NZ author is Elizabeth Knox. Her Dreamhunter/Dreamquake duet are so brilliant. Mortal Fire is wonderfully magical and beautifully written. Kate De Goldi is another kiwi author hero, I love The 10pm Question. Karen Healey writes amazing YA, When We Wake and When We Run are very clever furture/dystopia novels inspired by Sleeping Beauty. Bernard Beckett, Brian Faulkner are exceptional. One of my favourite Middle Grade authors is Sue Copsey who writes brilliant ghost stories for kids.
Sweet or savoury?
I have to have both. Kettle corn is the ultimate. That and salted caramel.
What advice do you have for young people who want to become writers?
Read a lot. Write a lot. Learn to receive criticism. When a trusted mentor points out the problems in your work it forces you to seek creative solutions which makes the work better. I wanted to be good more than I wanted to be published and I really wanted to be published. So, I determined to receive criticism because I desperately wanted to make my work better. I don’t regret a single cut, change, edit. Also: never give up.
Why did you choose to write for a YA audience rather than adult spec-fic?
I really can’t imagine writing anything else. I’m not sure what it says about me but I just knew I would write YA. I love that on the cusp of life aspect to that age and stage of life.
Thank you so much to Rachael for taking the time to answer our questions! I'm sure we're all looking forward to reading Black Water Cull!
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