Are there any books or authors that inspired you to become a writer?
I probably would not have started writing again unless I read Andrzej Sapkowski’s Witcher and Ben Aaronovitch’s Rivers of London. Witcher is an accessible fantasy, a genre I truly love, but I feel as if I have been pushed out by certain fantasy readers because I haven’t read certain books *cough* The Silmarillion *cough*. As for Ben Aaronovitch’s works, I don’t think I have ever read such a visually written novel before; he made me completely rethink writing!
Do you play music while you write — and, if so, what’s your favourite?
The music I listen to is VERY dependent on the chapter I am writing so; for instance, if I am writing about Kagamara, I listen to a lot of middle eastern vocals. If I am writing a battle scene or something dark, I listen to Adrain Von Ziegler’s dark trilogy, or if I am writing something a little more lighthearted, it will be Peter Gundry Celtic music. Equally, I have specific songs I listen to for particular characters. So! Yeah… Music plays a HUGE part in my writing.
Have you ever travelled as research for your book?
I have. I travelled to the Highlands (I made a blog on Youtube about it) to finally, after 13 long years, to visit as many Brochs as I could in a week. It was lovely seeing them in the flesh, as it were. As the broch (not only is a massive interest of mine) but is a key feature in the books.
How did you come up with the title for your book?
Funny story. So, this and the blurb on the back of the book is what I struggled with the most! I was wracking my brain for months, trying to think of a title for the book. As so much happens in such a short time, it was hard to pinpoint a specific part to name the book after. And I didn’t want to name it after any of the characters. So I sat there thinking, a lot happening, short time, and then it just popped in my head ‘Time of Change.’ Meh, it’ll do!
How do you celebrate when you finish your book?
Get pissed! HAHA, But seriously! A magnum bottle of cava. Sorted!
How much research did you need to do for your book?
Tonnes!! Every chapter you read probably has only one sentence that took at least 6 hours of research! I can not even begin to describe to you, the amount of research that goes into these books, the lanuages, the time periods in history, the clothing, food, drink, smoking, buildings… Probably things you don’t even think about when reading the book as a trunk tonne of research into it.
Name an underappreciated novel that you love.
No doubt BioShock: Rapture by John Shirley! One of the best books I have read in a long time, but to be fair, I’m biased as I am obsessed with Bioshock. Although John Shirley accurately recreates the game into a book beautifully, you don’t have to know anything about the game to read this novel. It’s just smashing! Can’t praise it enough.
What books have you read more than once in your life?
Many! But Dracula by Bram Stoker is probably my most read book; I think I have rebought it at least 3 times because I wore the other copies out! It was my bible growing up as a goth.
When you’re writing an emotional or difficult scene, how do you set the mood?
Much of my novels are taken from events in my life, romanticised, fantastic or demonised. I have lived it one way or another, so I just take that memory and use it. Focus on it and finally release me of the burden. As freeing as it can be, it can take a lot out of me, and I can still be emotionally for some time after writing.
What was your hardest scene to write, and why?
I don’t think I can talk about the infamous chapter in book 3 as it may touch upon some upsetting subjects for people. But equally, I am in the process of writing book 6, where one character kills another character, and it really cuts me up, and I have no idea why, to be honest. The character killed deserves it. I know no reader will miss him, but… Bugger me! Just thinking about it makes a lump grow in my throat.