Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I live in rural Scotland on the edge of a very small settlement with my partner. I have been writing for a number of years , mainly young adult fiction, which is my favourite reading material as well.
I have completed three books, Water’s Edge and Power’s Out (Troubled Times Series) and am working on the third and final installment Earth’s Descent. You can probably guess from their titles we’re talking climate change or Cli Fi. I have also written one other novel Eternal Inheritance which is a fast paced thriller set in Scotland and aimed at the 12 – 14 age group.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Power’s Out , which was released in December 2013. Well, for inspiration I just need to turn on the news to see and hear about some of the worst weather the UK has seen in the last 100 years. I have always liked end of the world novels, John Wyndham, John Christopher etc but have also always been interested in that bit just before the end, the bit where the society we live in starts to teeter and crumble and where the social norms begin to fall away. I suppose I like to place ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I start without knowing how it will end. I used to spend time working out the plot and structure but I found it works better if I just start…….
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Day of the Triffids, which I have read so many times. In fact anything by Wyndham is fine with me. i also like John Christopher, the Death of Grass, it is gritty and there are no happy endings. I also like the work of Alex Shearer who writes for children and young adults and has a dark and interesting sense of humour (Tins) .
For gripping reads Robert Cormier, an author who never flinched from the cruelty of children and who wrote some fantastic books with brilliant titles such as I am the Cheese.
What are you working on now?
Currently working on third and final part of the Troubled Times Series, Earth’s Descent.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I have had some good feedback on Goodreads
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t underestimate the amount of time promoting and marketing take up and try to fit in some time for writing….
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Just keep writing as you do improve all the time
What are you reading now?
Dark Places by Gillian Flynn
What’s next for you as a writer?
Hopefully more books, more sales, more readers…..
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?
Oh this is hard…..
The Silver Crown by Robert C O’Brien
Fallout by Gudrun Pausewang – which has a moment in it where you can hardly believe the author has been so brave
The Day of the Triffids by John Wyndham because it has everything
Shelter by Frances Greenslad – not my usual kind of thing but it is a beautifully written book.
Author Websites and Profiles
Rachel Meehan Website
Rachel Meehan Amazon Profile
Rachel Meehan’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile