Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a full-time high school theatre teacher, who mostly writes in the summers. I’ve spent my life reading and dreaming, and have been fortunate enough to pursue both of my greatest passions, theatre and writing, professionally.
School of Deaths is my first published novel. I have also produced an original play, which premiered in 2012.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The idea for SCHOOL OF DEATHS emerged when I was finishing my graduate degree at Oxford University. I spent four months abroad, far from everyone I knew. Every week, I traveled somewhere I had never been before. I would climb castle ruins in Wales and visit cathedrals in England. One of my favorite trips was to Tintagel Castle in Cornwall. I crept to the cliff face of Barras Nose, a stony peninsula jutting into the North Sea and overlooking the ruins of Tintagel, which some believe to be the birthplace of King Arthur. It was dawn, there were no other people in sight, and I had to struggle against the wind, fighting to keep my balance so I didn’t crash into the ocean. I imagined being buffeted by winds, alone, and what that would do to a character, and came up with the character of Suzie, alone in a world of men, buffeted by sexism.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I often like to write with headphones in my ears tuned to “film scores radio” on Pandora. I find the classical music used in movies can help move me to new levels of inspiration.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Every book I’ve ever read, whether I’ve liked it or not, has influenced my life in some way. My biggest author influences are JRR Tolkien, JK Rowling, and Hayao Miyazaki. I also draw a great deal of inspiration from travels, as well as my personal experiences with my students. One of the early scenes in SCHOOL OF DEATHS discusses anorexia, and I worked with a diagnosed anorexic teenager who helped inspire the emotions in that chapter.
What are you working on now?
I am currently editing SWORD OF DEATHS, a sequel to SCHOOL OF DEATHS.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I have tried a number of sites. Social media has mixed results. I’ve been very happy with my book trailer, which is on youtube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3AeszKiTz0k
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t expect fame or fortune any time soon, and definitely don’t quit your day job. Write because you need to write. Write because the story sings in your soul, begging to be heard and shared. Everything else goes on the backburner.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The best advice I ever receieved was from bestselling fantasy author Michael Sullivan, who was also the first writer to read any of my work. He said “What do you cll a writer who never gives up? Published.” I never gave up.
What are you reading now?
I’m currently finishing the Inheritance Cycle by Paolini (Eragon series).
What’s next for you as a writer?
I want to expand into other genres, including historical fiction and adult genre fiction. Ultimately I’d love to write more theatre pieces, including a musical.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
I’d rather have tons of papers and pens- the stories I’d feel happiest stuck with all exist in my imagination.
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