How and when did you first discover your passion for the world of literature?
In terms of reading, it was being read Diana Wynne Jones's books as a child. She's still my favourite author of all time. There's just something about what she writes and the way she writes it that creates this feeling of both reassurance and wonder that I've never seen replicated in anyone else's writing. Though that could be partially the nostalgia talking.
In terms of writing; I used to make blurbs for imaginary books as a child. I remember specifically writing a blurb while sitting out a film in English, 1st year of secondary school. I didn't want to watch the film because I hadn't read the book it was based on yet. Pretty soon, I decided I wanted to make the imaginary books real. After some advice from one of my English teachers, I really got into it.
What genres do you enjoy to read and write the most?
Definitely fantasy. Low or high, I'm not bothered. Low is probably where I'm most comfortable, but high is the world I really want to step into and explore. That's not metaphorical, I want nothing more than to be able to literally step into and explore a real, physical high fantasy world.
I love science fiction too, but I often have real trouble writing it. Though I'm fascinated by physics, I'm not all that well-read on it, so usually if I try to explain the science I end up sounding like the sci-fi I hate, where the science makes no sense and they should just call it magic. So I just call it magic, and now it's science fantasy. Which is also fine.
Do you favor stories or poetry? Or rather a mix of both?
I definitely favour stories just because I personally find there's a lot more for me to experience in them and they engage me more. But that's not to say I don't like poetry. I love poetry. I do tend to have a hard time finding a wealth of fantasy or science fiction poems, though. Maybe I'm looking in the wrong places.
Is writing a hobby for you or are you planning to go professional?
I've intended to go professional since one of my English teachers gave me the encouragement I needed. I don't know if I could deal with the boredome of doing something else for the rest of my life. If I had my way, I'd sit and write nearly all day every day.
What's your favorite book? Or your favorite books, if there are more.
"Unraveller", by Frances Hardinge, which comes just above anything and everything by Diana Wynne Jones.
Throwing in some other close contenders: "Deeplight" (Frances Hardinge), "The Ocean at the End of the Lane" (Neil Gaiman), "The Amulet of Samarkand" (Jonathan Stroud), "Northern Lights" (Philip Pullman), "Dragonkeeper" (Carole Wilkinson).
What is your greatest dream?
To live forever in a high-fantasy world (while still being able to travel back here if I want to, of course).
Failing that, full-time author.
How did you come up with your username?
It's... that's... well, that's my name. Pfft, "internet privacy", what does that even mean, am I right? I'm wrong, kids. Don't use your real name on the internet.
Would you tell us about your current project?
No.
Oh, all right. I have a few because I can never stay focused on one, but the only thing published anywhere is "Rooms of the Desolate", a collection of short stories set in a bleak and often colourless labyrinth of universes called the Desolate. It grew from what was originally supposed to be a single piece of flash fiction.
Do you like to have a plan or are you a discovery writer?
I'm usually a discovery writer for the first draft, with a more solid plan second time around (despite usually still making massive story changes on re-drafts). Some stories I've written with a concrete plan before I properly put pen to paper (or finger to keyboard), though, and admittedly they're probably my most polished. Even with ones I discover, I usually have an idea of where I want to get to, just very little idea of how I'm going to get there.
Are there other arts you enjoy. Like music, painting or something else?
I love music. I sing all the time. It probably annoys my family and neighbours, but they haven't complained (yet). I also like to compose, though I'm not great at it. I try to compose soundtracks for my writing sometimes. I also play piano, pretty badly, and I love almost all other forms of art even if I can't make them myself.
