10 Questions with Sci-Fi Thriller Writer C.L. Davies (@cldavieswriter)
This Author Spotlight features British Science Fiction Thriller writer C.L. Davies.
Please tell us a bit about yourself, Cheryl.
I love the Manx countryside, and my little gorgeous garden. I'm a little obsessed with palm trees. As a demented but doting first-time mum, much of my time is spent caring for our new baby, who is beautiful and bonkers! She's the centre of my world and the reason for everything I do.
I work on my fourth book when she feeds and naps.
I live happily with our beautiful baby, the spirit of our much-missed cat, Pudge, and fiance Dean.
Dean, unbelievably, is yet to read the book ...
1. How
did you get into writing?
It was as simple as a promise to my mum – I love words; perhaps not the most sane thing I could admit to, but
they’re constantly flitting through my head, and I often get obsessed with a
given word or phrase, repeating it to myself throughout the day! Mad about
words and good at English at school, my mum always used to say; ‘You must write
a book before I die.’ She’s neither ill nor old, but I promised nevertheless.
As I approached my 30’s, I knew I’d hope to soon start my family, and so I
started writing before spare time became a luxury.
2. What
do you like best (or least) about writing?
I enjoy the escapism of writing, which is something I’ve never
found elsewhere – I can literally lose track of the world around me, as the web
spun of words enswathes me.
3. What
is your writing process? IE do you outline? Do you stick to a daily word or
page count, write 7 days a week, etc?
When the Gods Of A Good Idea finally smile upon me, I type the
outline of the story on my laptop. When I start the actual writing, and the
storyline evolves, I add any extra elements to the plan. With baby here, I
don’t stick to a programme, and write when I can. My favourite place to write
is outside, in the fresh air, snuggled beneath a Slanket if it’s chilly. Bliss.
Tell me, Cheryl, what is a Slanket?
A Slanket is a blanket with sleeves - it's a trademark - I got one last Christmas. They're gorgeous and super snuggly!
Tell me, Cheryl, what is a Slanket?
A Slanket is a blanket with sleeves - it's a trademark - I got one last Christmas. They're gorgeous and super snuggly!
4. Who
are some other writers you read and admire, regardless of whether they are
commercially “successful?”
I’ve always enjoyed the powerful storytelling prowess of Stephen
King, and the sublime fusion of horror and poetic eloquence in a good Dean
Koontz. Lately, I have read and loved two fantasy thrillers by Chandler McGrew,
with Crossroads now one of my
all-time favourite reads. Remember earlier I mentioned getting obsessed with
words or phrases? This stunning extract from Crossroads is one that still echoes in my mind: ‘As they
rounded a long, sweeping curve the scimitar moon sliced through the ribbony
overcast, spilling silvery shards of light earthward.’ Wow!
5. Should
the question mark in the above question be inside or outside the quotes?
Hmm … I think outside, because the question itself is outside
the quote. Is that right? Whatever the answer, consistency is key.
6. What’s
your stance on the Oxford Comma?
I use it, so I guess my stance is a positive one.
7. What
is your book Automaton about and how did it come
to fruition?
Automaton is about a
society obsessed with entertainment, celebrity, and reality TV. It came about
from my own continuing fixation with reality TV. Happily watching the
participants of Big Brother as they
slept, when I too should have been sleeping, got me thinking about how far an
obsession might go. Automaton tells
of an island where the programmable A.I. inhabitants exist only to entertain,
alongside their fanatical gamers in the ‘real’ world. Lily and Dean live happily on the island, until resentful gamer
Luke sickens of it and snaps. The devastating consequences ripple ever out,
affecting human and non-human alike.
8. What’s
your current writing project?
I’m writing my 4th book, as yet title-less, over my
baby-bundle’s head as she feeds and naps. I’m also doing a final edit of my 2nd
book Resonance, ahead of publication
in 2013. Resonance, in brief, is a
multi-strand story about super-rich Oscar, who pays for, upon his death, the
storage of his soul. Reincarnated as Jake, his actions give rise to the age-old
question; are we defined by nature or nurture? The story also tells of sinister
elements in the ‘Forever Foundation’, of paranormal shared dreams, and its
underground legacy of sadness and suffering.
9. What
book(s) are you currently reading?
I’m reading a paperback of Bard Constantine’s The Troubleshooter - a dark and amusing
dystopian novel - and Erasure by A.T.H. Webber – a fascinating fiction about the influence of the
Internet - on my kindle. Both books are thus far brilliant!
10. Who or what inspires your writing?
Personally, I’m inspired now by my 10-month-old baby girl
– everything I do is for her. I’m
also inspired by my dream of being a full-time writer, with my kids running
around in the garden, whilst I sit in some kind of organic red clay curvy den,
and write for hours at a time.
Professionally, I’m inspired by Steven King, whose
haunting stories stay in my mind for years – I can still hear the tramping of the
dark man’s boot heels, in The Stand, and the rattling, shifting shells in Duma Key.
Finally,
is there anything you’d care to add? Please also include where people can read
your published stories, buy your book, etc.
I’d like to add a thank you! I only want people to enjoy my
stories, and it’s thanks to the generosity of book bloggers, reviewers and
author interviews that newbies like me can hope to gain readers. Thank you
thousands!
Automaton can be bought
at all the usual and good online bookstores – www.barnes&noble.co.uk
– www.waterstones.com etc and with free
shipping at www.amazon.com/ and www.amazon.uk/ in both paperback and
electronic versions. Resonance is due
out late 2013.
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