What’s the story behind the story? What inspired you to write The Spider and the Fly?
The Spider and the Fly AKA: Sebastian Schiller and Shey Jing are characters that appeared in my novel Dangerous to Know which is the first book in The Chronicles of Breed.
Strange but true, some characters fall by the wayside and some demand attention. Shey and Schiller were of the latter type and virtually kicked-in my imaginative door. They had stories to tell and they weren’t going anywhere until I told ‘em! As they are both deadly assassins I was inclined to acquiesce to their demands as Captain Barbosa might say.
If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of The Spider and the Fly, what would they be?
Although I listen to music when I write, I hadn’t thought to give Shey or Schiller a theme tune. I’ll have to pick two because they have equal top billing. For Shey I’d say ‘Titanium’ by David Guetta ft.Sia. Shey has a noble soul but struggles to reconcile that with the grimy underworld in which she’s been forced to live. It’s her inner conflict that makes her strong, also, it’s a banging choon. Schiller is also a complicated character, but noble he ain’t. So, for him I’ll go with ‘Scars’ by Boy Epic.
What’s your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?
I know it sounds cheesy, but I just love reading, the genre isn’t important. If a story grabs me, I’m in. I prefer to write fantasy; high, low, and everything in between.
What books are on your TBR pile right now?
It’s so big if it fell on me it would kill me, so I’ll give you a wee sample of the physical books stacked beside the bed, we won’t even think about the Kindle or audio. The Shadow of the Gods by John Gwynne, Binti by Nnedi Okorafor, Sapiens by Yuval Harari (this is a re-read because I’m too thick to take it all in after one reading), and Neuroscience for Dummies by Frank Amthor.
What scene in your book was your favorite to write?
The last one. There’s a huge battle filled with death, mayhem, monsters, payback, tragedy, heroism, and redemption – all the good stuff. It was exhausting, but so worth it.
Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)
My beloved cat Iki used to occupy my chair leaving me to write standing up. Alas, she passed away and I miss her dearly. The three dogs who still own me surround my desk and snore and fart all the time, which I hope isn’t a commentary on my work. When I start a new novel, I clean my desk, which over the course of writing a book turns into a literary battlefield awash with coffee rings, pens, sticky notes, and writer’s tears.
Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?
Be kind. Again, I know it sounds cheesy and quite at odds with the grim and bloody (but humorous), fantasy I write, but I think if we were all a little kinder the world would be a better place and it costs nothing, which is a bargain if you ask me.
If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?
To review it! but only if they loved it
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