Hey Lesley Happy Valentines Day!! First I want to say welcome back to
Two Chicks on Books it’s been a while since we’ve had a chat! THE VALIANT was
freaking AWESOME and I can’t wait for everyone to read it! And am so happy that
you could stop by for a visit!
Happy Valiant-tines Day to you, too! Thanks for having me!
Is this a
standalone or a series? And if it’s a series do you have a title for book 2
yet? And if it’s a standalone what are you working on next?
Funny you should ask! We just announced the sequel not very long ago
and I’m SUPER EXCITED about it!! The book is called THE DEFIANT. So…. That’s that I’m working on right now.
Were any of the
characters in the book inspired by people from your real life?
My characters tend to show up all on their own, without me really
basing them on people I know personally (as a general rule). Of course, Julius
Caesar and Cleopatra were real historical figures but I missed the chance for
pub nights with them by a couple of thousand years… That being said,
I know some pretty butt-kicking women who do stunt work in film/tv/theatre and
there may have been a bit of influence coming from that quarter (or, in their
case, quarter-staff).
I know you usually
do the reading for your audiobooks, will you be doing this one as well?
Actually, for a change, I get to hear someone else read my work and I’m
very excited about it! Because the voice artist my publisher chose is the
FANTASTIC Fiona Hardingham, who has done audiobook narration for amazing books
like An Ember in the Ashes, And I Darken, and The Scorpio Races. Can’t wait to
listen!
Who was your
favorite character to write? What about your least favorite?
That’s mean. Like asking me to pick a favorite cat! (And I’d pay for
that in my sleep. I just know it.) I love writing all my characters: Fallon,
Elka, Cai, Nyx… but, I must say, I had a lot of fun writing the
historical characters (Julius Caesar and Cleopatra). As for least fave, I don’t
really have one. I like writing the bad guys just as much as the good guys.
Sometimes maybe more! ;-)
What is your
favorite passage/scene in THE VALIANT?
Again with the favorite cat-type question! They will have their revenge,
y’know. Honestly, I like different scenes for different reasons… I like the
sisterhood scenes, I like the fight scenes, I like the rivalry scenes, I like
the romance scenes, I like the horrifying scenes… you get the
picture. I’ll just say this: There’s a scene that takes place at night. I like
that one a lot.
What kind of
research did you have to do for the story?
I grew up reading a lot of history and fiction set in the ancient world
so I went into this story with a lot of general and a fair degree of specific
knowledge. But then my search engine history started filling up with a whole
bunch of queries like “distance from Calais (ancient Caletum) to Marseille
(ancient Massilia) overland by ox cart” and “ancient Roman flea treatments”… Y’know, practical
knowledge of the time that I don’t really know off the top of my head. I also
did an awful lot of research into the day-to-day lives of gladiators. And the
politics and the religions and the daily life of Rome. Most of that, I would
start searching online and always always
that would end up sending me to reference books. I *heart* my
bookshelves/library/bookstores!
Who is your
ultimate book boyfriend?
King Arthur. Final answer. To hell with that Lancelot guy.
What inspired you
to write YA?
I like stories of discoveries and firsts. I love the age-range of the
characters that sees them on the cusp of really discovering themselves and the
world around them – and I love taking that journey with them.
Also? Best readership ever.
Lightening Round
Questions
What Hogwarts
House would the Sorting Hat place you in?
Ooh! I did an online quiz-thingy: I was sorted into Griffindoofus. My
cat Hawkeye got Flufflepuff. My other cat Butters is a Blitherin!
Twitter or
Facebook?
Hail Twits!
Favorite
Superhero?
Woverine, claws down!
Favorite TV show?
Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Yes, still.
Sweet or Salty?
Salty. With a side of salt.
Any Phobias?
Fear, itself.
Song you can’t get
enough of right now?
Probably one I just made up. About my cats. And it’s now driving me
nuts. Oh god make it stop…
2017 Movie you’re
most looking forward to?
Wonder Woman. Also, Logan (see above).
Thanks so much Lesley
for answering my questions! I can’t wait for everyone to read THE VALIANT!
Thank you!! Always a pleasure to chat with the Two Chicks!
