What did you do before you were a writer?
My first career was a registered nurse. Since then I’ve worked at two radio stations, been a travel agent and copywriter.
Where do you do all your writing?
Mostly in my downstairs office (as compared to the upstairs office which is a total disaster). I’ve dubbed my actual working office the Oriental Room as it has paintings and other goodies I collected while in Hong Kong, Taiwan and Japan. Sometimes I go “portable” into my sunroom if I want a change of venue. That way the squirrels can stare in at me while I work. I usually just stare back.
What inspired you to write about demons?
I thought it would be fun to write about the denizens of Hell. I decided some would be way scary (like an Archfiend, for instance) and some of them would just be nuisances (like the Klepto-Fiends who steal your jewelry). I also wanted to examine the politics of Heaven and Hell and the demons gave me a great opportunity.
What would you say was the worst thing about writing FORSAKEN?
Writing Paul’s death was hard for me because it so deeply hurt Riley and Beck. In many ways, everything that happens in the series flows from that one traumatic moment. I cannot imagine what it would be like to lose one’s father at seventeen.
The book is set in 2018, only 7 years away, yet so much has changed. Is this what you think the future holds (minus the demons and magic!)?
I’m thinking it won’t be that bad (hopefully). I made the series’ Atlanta an alternate one where everything goes wrong. I’m hoping we get back on track here. Luckily our school systems are still doing fairly well and fuel isn’t as expensive as in the book. No demons yet. That’s a blessing.
The three main men in Riley's life are Beck, Simon and Ori. Which one do you prefer?
Oh dear. You see, I like them all. I love Beck’s tenacity. He’s had a wickedly bad childhood (we’ll learn more about that in later books) and the fact he’s keeping it all together and trying to better himself says a great deal about how amazing he is.
I’m partial to Simon because he’s just so sweet. I like nice guys. He lives his faith and that’s cool. Unfortunately, that means he’s going to have to face some really big tests.
Ori is a quintessential bad boy. The one you’d love to date, but you’re probably never going to marry because you know he’ll cheat on you (and look hot doing it). But underneath all that bad boy is something else, a sense of honor. Like the other lads, we’ll learn more about dear Ori in FORBIDDEN.
My first career was a registered nurse. Since then I’ve worked at two radio stations, been a travel agent and copywriter.
Where do you do all your writing?
Mostly in my downstairs office (as compared to the upstairs office which is a total disaster). I’ve dubbed my actual working office the Oriental Room as it has paintings and other goodies I collected while in Hong Kong, Taiwan and Japan. Sometimes I go “portable” into my sunroom if I want a change of venue. That way the squirrels can stare in at me while I work. I usually just stare back.
What inspired you to write about demons?
I thought it would be fun to write about the denizens of Hell. I decided some would be way scary (like an Archfiend, for instance) and some of them would just be nuisances (like the Klepto-Fiends who steal your jewelry). I also wanted to examine the politics of Heaven and Hell and the demons gave me a great opportunity.
What would you say was the worst thing about writing FORSAKEN?
Writing Paul’s death was hard for me because it so deeply hurt Riley and Beck. In many ways, everything that happens in the series flows from that one traumatic moment. I cannot imagine what it would be like to lose one’s father at seventeen.
The book is set in 2018, only 7 years away, yet so much has changed. Is this what you think the future holds (minus the demons and magic!)?
I’m thinking it won’t be that bad (hopefully). I made the series’ Atlanta an alternate one where everything goes wrong. I’m hoping we get back on track here. Luckily our school systems are still doing fairly well and fuel isn’t as expensive as in the book. No demons yet. That’s a blessing.
The three main men in Riley's life are Beck, Simon and Ori. Which one do you prefer?
Oh dear. You see, I like them all. I love Beck’s tenacity. He’s had a wickedly bad childhood (we’ll learn more about that in later books) and the fact he’s keeping it all together and trying to better himself says a great deal about how amazing he is.
I’m partial to Simon because he’s just so sweet. I like nice guys. He lives his faith and that’s cool. Unfortunately, that means he’s going to have to face some really big tests.
Ori is a quintessential bad boy. The one you’d love to date, but you’re probably never going to marry because you know he’ll cheat on you (and look hot doing it). But underneath all that bad boy is something else, a sense of honor. Like the other lads, we’ll learn more about dear Ori in FORBIDDEN.
If you could cast any actor-actress in the roles of your main characters, who would you choose?
Riley: Emma Roberts or Alexandra Daddario
Beck: Lex Shrapnel (an English actor)
Simon: Alex Pettyfer (also English. Is there a pattern here?)
Ori: Hugh Jackson (An Aussie. Does that count?)
Riley: Emma Roberts or Alexandra Daddario
Beck: Lex Shrapnel (an English actor)
Simon: Alex Pettyfer (also English. Is there a pattern here?)
Ori: Hugh Jackson (An Aussie. Does that count?)
Emma Roberts as Riley Blackthorne
Alex Pettyfer as Simon
What were your favourite books as a child?
C.S. Lewis’ Chronicles of Narnia. There were so many layers to those stories. Even now, when I reread them, I find something new.
Did any authors in particular inspire you to write?
A number of authors are responsible for my desire to write. I think J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis began my addiction with books. Since then I’ve become a fan of Jim Butcher (the Harry Dresden Series), Ilona Andrews (Kate Daniels Series) and Rick Riordan (Percy Jackson Series). All those authors know how to tell a great tale with lots of emotion and action and I want to do the same.
What TV show are you currently addicted to?
We’re working through Primeval right now on Netflix. And I’m a fan of Castle. Nathan Filon rocks.
What are you reading at the moment?
The Strange Affair of Spring Heel Jack by Mark Holder. It’s steampunk/Victorian and very entertaining.
What advice would you give to young people who want to be writers?
Read a ton of books. Try all different kinds. Find out what you like in a story, what you don’t. Then write those stories in your head. All authors started exactly the same way.
C.S. Lewis’ Chronicles of Narnia. There were so many layers to those stories. Even now, when I reread them, I find something new.
Did any authors in particular inspire you to write?
A number of authors are responsible for my desire to write. I think J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis began my addiction with books. Since then I’ve become a fan of Jim Butcher (the Harry Dresden Series), Ilona Andrews (Kate Daniels Series) and Rick Riordan (Percy Jackson Series). All those authors know how to tell a great tale with lots of emotion and action and I want to do the same.
What TV show are you currently addicted to?
We’re working through Primeval right now on Netflix. And I’m a fan of Castle. Nathan Filon rocks.
What are you reading at the moment?
The Strange Affair of Spring Heel Jack by Mark Holder. It’s steampunk/Victorian and very entertaining.
What advice would you give to young people who want to be writers?
Read a ton of books. Try all different kinds. Find out what you like in a story, what you don’t. Then write those stories in your head. All authors started exactly the same way.
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