Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I live in Hertfordshire, England. I have a background in Animal Science and Conservation. I have been lucky enough to do volunteer work at a wolf conservation center during my degree, and my last job as an ecologist gave me the opportunity to work all over England, in some absolutely lovely locations.
BOUND is my first novel. I started writing it as something to do when I working away and staying in hotels by myself.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is titled BOUND, about a slave girl, Coiran Hiralad, who survives an attempt to sacrifice her to the sea god. She is taken in by the former crown prince of Mocene; his act of kindness sets in motion a coup attempt.
Initial inspiration came from the saying “No good deed goes unpunished.”
other inspiration came from my love of crime dramas, (started when I read the strand illustrated version of sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes), Norse mythology, history (the death of William Rufus), my GCSE Latin classes, and my Traditional English Martial Arts class.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Unusual writing habitats? Not really, (I will scribble ideas down on scraps of paper when I’m out and about), my more wild ideas usually spring from sleep deprivation after I’ve worked nights.
I do love to listen to music when I write. My Sound track whilst writing BOUND included Wardruna, Loreena McKennitt, Mari Boine and Within Temptation.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I grew up reading Tamora Pierce, Diane Duane and Barbara Hambly. Tamora Pierce’s books certainly inspired me to start writing.
I love SONG IN THE SILENCE by Elizabeth Kerner, which gave me the idea to write in first person and split the point of view between Coiran and Elam.
I had originally written the story in standard third person point of view, but Coiran who was supposed to be my main character kept slipping into the background (as a former slave and a wolf, she doesn’t like being the center of attention).
What are you working on now?
I’m currently working on a sequel to BOUND entitled WEFT OF CRIMSON, which picks up a few months after the events in BOUND.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m active on goodreads.com, (I find the site easier to navigate than some). I also have a website: sarahdowningblog.wordpress.com/ which I try to keep updated with news relevant to my books, and I have a book trailer up on youtube.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
My biggest advice would be to check your work with more than one spelling/grammar checker, as well as reading your work aloud, don’t just rely on one spell checker to pick up every spelling mistakes.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Double check everything!
What are you reading now?
I’m doing more writing than reading at the moment. Though I am part way through HAMMER OF THE SUN by Michael Scott Rohan, ORIGIN OF THE BRITISH by Stephen Oppenheimer and THE PROTECTOR by David Morrell.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I have ideas for another two books after WEFT OF CRIMSON, after that, I’m not sure.
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?
Only three or four books? I take at least twice that on holiday with me!
Dale Brown – The Tin Man;
Barbara Hambly – the Silent Tower; and
Kelly Armstrong – Exit Strategy
I think that covers the widest selection of genres on my bookcase, and they are all books I can read again and again.
Author Websites and Profiles
Sarah Downing Website
Sarah Downing Amazon Profile
Sarah Downing’s Social Media Links