The Capital of Dreams is your fifth novel. How do you continue to find inspiration, or to keep what you write about fresh? Do subsequent novels get harder or easier to write? What’s changed about your writing over the years?
Which of your books was your favorite to write? Which one are you most proud of? Which was the most challenging? How about your heroines (favorite, easiest, hardest, etc.)?
Greetings Heather! I have never read any of your novels, but after meeting you here, I quickly ordered Capital of Dreams from the library. Actually, I have not read a lot of speculative fiction or fantasy, so I’m trying to break out of my comfort zone since the genre is so popular. Do your books need to be read in any particular order or shall I start with the newest? Thank you.
Yes. When something traumatic happens, in our lives, we often become numb. Traumatic events don’t reconcile with the rest of our daily activities and the course of our lives. Even though we are experiencing them, they seem surreal. Our brains have difficulty accepting the trauma, it wants us to have cognitive dissonance. So I describe these moments, the ones we turn away from, with a clarity and realism, that is terrifying.
Interesting question! I have this technique, where I work on two books at the same time. Whenever I become overwhelmed by one book, I discard it and go to the other. Then the other looks fresh and filled with potential. And I am happy with it. Then I get annoyed with that one, and return to the other, which suddenly seems appealing to me. I definitely think my sense of story and structure has grown over the years, and I know how to be more clever and tricky with my plots. Oh, how I love a twist!
When We Lost Our Heads was my favourite to write. Lullabies for Little Criminals is the one I am most proud of. The Girl Who Was Saturday Night was the most challenging (second books are a killer for writers!). My favourite characters are always my heroines who are born with a touch of wickedness. Like Rose from The Lonely Hearts Hotel and Sadie from When We Lost Our Heads. I learned so much from them. Whenever I am in a situation in life where I have to be strong and confrontational and look out for myself, I say, What would Sadie Arnett do? What would the creator of Sadie Arnett do?
Hi Holly! All my books are standalone. So yes you can start anywhere. The Capital of Dreams awaits you! Thank you!!
What inspired you to take the plunge in the first place? What made it possible for you to take time out of your life to complete the book?
Have you been on tour for your books? If so, what’s that like? Is it something you enjoy about being a writer? Any interesting stories from the road you can share?
Can you share anything about what you’re working on now?
I became obsessed with finishing my novel. As anyone who has written a novel will tell you, it is rooted in a deep obsession. I devoted whatever free time I could find to writing the novel. I think I stopped going out at all. I was, of course, very nervous, but I couldn’t escape the book until it was complete.
I am working on a book about witches. Every time I start writing it, something odd and slightly supernatural happens around me. I’m slightly worried about what is going on1 I’m also working on a memoir that ends on the day I was born. I’m tracking all the routes that led to me. If you know my entire back story, will you know me?
I’m fascinated by the way you describe the two books you’re working on and can’t wait to read them.
Thank you so much for being such a great guest here! Is there anything you’d like to add to the discussion before we sign off?