Frequently Asked Questions
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How did you come up with the idea for your novel? Ideas for my books always begin with a “What if?” question. In the case of “The Water Kingdom”, it stemmed from the question: “What if a secret world existed, hidden beyond the waves?” I wanted to write about a non-human world and what the structure and traditions and history would look like in comparison to our world. I decided to go with an aquatic species which has been a lot of fun to develop. What do you think sets your novel apart from others current on the shelves? Firstly, I’ve tried to stay away from young adult fiction clichés such as an ongoing love triangle in a series and “Instalove”. This is a book about two people thrown together, who in many ways are opposites but challenge and complement each other, over time becoming better versions of themselves as a result. Written in dual first person, you get an insight into both the male and female perspectives of Sebastian and Nell, learning their fears, goals and desires which hold equal importance. In terms of the fantasy aspect, things may not be what you first assumed! You’ll have to read it to find out more. Which character in your book is your favorite and how much of yourself is reflected in that character? While I am most like Nell, my favorite character is Sebastian because he was more of a challenge to write. He can be annoyingly confident at times, acting without thinking yet somehow landing on his feet. The two are often at odds. She’s conscientious, he breaks the rules, she’s overlooked, he’s charismatic without trying, she can be still and perceptive, he needs to be constantly moving. It’s amazing anything develops between them! What does a typical day in your life look like? And how does your writing routine fit into your day? I’m the proud mother of three boys, two of which are twins. As you can imagine, we have a busy household at times, so any writing fits around school hours, my work, weekends and after the kids have gone to bed, along with any other commitments. Carving out time for writing is important to me because it will always be a part of who I am. What do you hope for your readers to take away after reading your book? There is an overall theme running through the first book in “The Water Novels”, about “Leaping”. It looks at the balance between thinking and acting, when to plan and when to just bite the bullet and go for something. You can lose everything but you can also gain everything. I hope that it encourages readers to not be afraid to take risks in life. What do you have in store next for your readers? I’m currently in the process of completing the second book which continues only hours after the first. Readers will get to experience Sebastian's world and the complexities of this watery kingdom, as well as meet new characters. Be prepared to immerse yourself! |