Author Interview: Joss Stirling

Be it online, during an event or at a personal level, I think anyone who admires or follows a particular artist will agree that it is great when you can interact with them.

Readers are no different. As a reader there are a series of authors I love reading and talking about, and it is great when I can actually talk to them. I take my hat off to Joss Stirling and Cassandra Clare who always take the time to talk to their fans.

I'm a big fan of the Benedict-Savant series by Joss Stirling, and as she is an English writer, I contacted her to ask her to sign my copy of "Finding Sky" (book review here). Lucky for me, she was ever so kind to agree to it. While I was at it, being a little cheeky perhaps, I decided to send her a few questions as an interview for the blog and it was lovely to receive her handwritten reply! Here is what we talked about:

So, Joss, when did you start writing? Have you always had a passion for books?

I wrote constantly as a child, but turned it into a profession about eight years ago. I've always loved books. I even have a Doctorate in English Literature!

Did you decide to become a writer and pursued it or was it something that happened organically?

Both. I was contemplating my return to work after having my third child, wrote a book for my eldest and received a good response from a publisher so I took the chance.

I know you travelled to research for "Finding Sky", but how did the idea of a savant novel came about?

Again, my own daughter provided the clue. I wanted to please her reading tastes without doing vampires, angels, werewolves, zombies, etc... That left ESP (extrasensory perception)*.

* Also known as a sixth sense, or cryptaesthesia. It's the paranormal ability pertaining to reception of information not gained through the recognized physical senses, but sensed with the mind.

Was any of your characters based on someone in real life?

Not that I know of. Characters emerge in their place in the story.

What can we expect from "Stealing Phoenix", the second book of the series?

Fireworks! Yves (the one who can explode things, remember?) gets involved with a thief with huge problems behind her, like murderous relations, crime and bad attitude.

You have written YA and period dramas. Are these your favourite genres?

No. I don't do favourites.

What book is your all times favourite?

I don't have one, although Pride & Prejudice would be right up there.

What item in your handbag can you not live without?

My notebook.

What is your favourite movie?

Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the Ring. It's a brilliant adaptation.

Are there any songs that remind you of "Finding Sky" and "Stealing Phoenix"?

Absolutely! "Cry me a River", "Mercy"* and Taylor Swift's Fearless album for "Finding Sky". For "Stealing Phoenix" I like Adele's 21 album.

*I think Joss was talking about the song Mercy by Duffy, but I like Mercy by One Republic and I think the lyrics suit the storyline beautifully. Hear it here.

Joss, once again thanks for signing my book and for answering all my questions.