Interview
Set in the near future, these three novels follow Riley as she overcomes the murder of her younger sister by tracking down the killer across a post-apocalyptic Britain. At the same time, she is forced to take on the might of a twisted regime intent on conquering the nation.
The story is full of action and adventure with a smattering of angsty romance. Books two and three become more darkly dystopian.
2) How do you develop your characters?
My characters grow as I write them. I always think of their upbringing and their circumstances and what bearing this will have on their actions. I try to put myself in their position - How would they really react in a particular situation?
I often back my characters into impossible situations or give them difficult dilemmas to deal with, that even I don’t know how to deal with. I hope this makes the story more unpredictable and the drama more realistic.
The naming process is very important to me. If a character has a good name, they can come alive. Sometimes, a minor character with a great name will try to take over and carve out a bigger role. I usually let them!
3) Who is your ideal reader?
Someone who likes the ‘what if …’ scenario: What if you were living your life and it took an unexpected twist?
My books are aimed at young adults, but I write the kinds of books that I would like to read myself – post-apocalyptic adventure and urban fantasy with a twist of horror and a dusting of romance. My current readers are aged anywhere from thirteen to seventy.
4) What was your journey as a writer?
I used to be a singer songwriter, signed to Universal Music. But it’s not a lifestyle that goes well with having a family and I found myself resenting the time spent away from my kids. I wasn’t successful enough to have nannies and entourages!
One day, I had an idea for a great ending to a story and I started scribbling my first novel. Writing fiction gave me the new creative outlet I needed. Plus, I can write from home and set my own timetable. I love it!
5) What is your writing process?
I don’t have a set-in-stone process. I usually have a rough plan and work my way steadily through the chapters, editing as I go.
6) What authors most inspire you?
Authors who can weave multiple plot lines with ease, whose characters evoke strong emotions and who can keep you guessing till the end. I’m in awe of Carlos Ruis Zafon, Laini Taylor, Stephenie Meyer, Suzanne Collins and Paullina Simons.
7) What books, written by someone else, do you wish you'd written yourself?
Life of Pi by Yann Martel, The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins or Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor.
8) Outside is a YA post-apocalyptic series. Can you tell us a bit more about it?
Set in the near future, it looks at what might happen if society-as-we-know-it collapsed. It follows the story of Riley who lives safely behind the Perimeter Fence. After her sister is murdered, she decides to brave the ‘outside’ to track down the killer and she persuades her neighbour, Luc, to go with her.
In addition to its post-apocalyptic setting, Outside is also a coming-of-age love story with a heap of adventure and some unexpected twists along the way. Book 2, The Clearing, is darker and more sinister. And in Book 3, The Perimeter, the tension ramps up even further with a ton of suspense and action.
9) Who is your favourite character in the book and why?
My favourite character is Riley as she acts with bravery despite being terrified most of the time. She’s lived a life of privilege, but shows great guts and determination after her sister’s death. It would have been easy for her to wallow in her grief, but instead, she’s pro-active.
Writing her from a first person perspective allows the reader to see her fears up close, but as the series progresses, she finds more courage and ways to deal with all the trials and adversities she must face as she braves the ravaged world.
10) What was the hardest part of the book to write?
There are two storylines running through the novel and it was quite tricky to make the sequence of events tie up in the right place. The story also has a few major twists and it took me several attempts to get the reveals right. I hope I did it justice in the end.
Book & Author Details:
The Perimeter by Shalini Boland
(Outside #3)
Publication date: November 18th 2013
Genres: Dystopia, Young Adult
The Perimeter, blurb:
In this fractured world, a sinister force is coming for Riley, and the only things keeping her safe are a perimeter fence and the people she loves. As her life is threatened, she must make impossible choices. But help comes from the most unlikely of places, and all Riley needs to know is: who can she really trust?
Meanwhile, a repentant killer searches for peace and salvation, but what he gets is the exact opposite. Now he’ll have to make the hardest decision of his life.
The Perimeter is a darkly captivating dystopian tale of adventure, danger, love and redemption that will have you on the edge of your seat and up at night turning the pages to find out what happens next . . .
Excerpt
The two men were youngish with beards, wearing layers of filthy clothing. One of them had a face-full of piercings – lip rings, eyebrow studs and a hoop through his nose. They were both skinny and hollow-cheeked with deep-set eyes. As they drew closer, I saw pure hostility in their faces and it took all my strength of will not to throw the truck into reverse and gun it all the way home.
‘What’s your business here?’ the man with the nose hoop called out.
I lowered the window a fraction. ‘I’m a friend of Lou’s.’
‘Lou?’ They took a few steps closer, their weapons still lowered.
‘Yeah. Fair-haired girl with two younger brothers. Lives up close to the compound wall.’
‘I know who Lou is,’ nose-hoop replied. ‘What d’you want with her?’
‘She helped me out yesterday. I’ve come to say thanks.’
‘Get out of the truck and I’ll fetch her over.’
‘I’d rather stay inside till she gets here if that’s okay.’
They stopped a few yards away and talked to each other in low tones so I couldn’t hear. By now, several other gypsies had come close to the wire fence to see what was going on. I’d started to cause a bit of a stir – exactly what I hadn’t wanted to do.
‘Out of the truck,’ nose-hoop repeated, aiming his rifle at the windscreen. ‘Slowly. Hands in the air.’
I hadn’t come here for a gunfight, so it didn’t look as though I had much choice. I would have to do as he asked.
Outside Series blurb:
Set in the near future, these three heart-stopping novels follow Riley as she overcomes the murder of her younger sister by tracking down the killer across a post-apocalyptic Britain. At the same time, she is forced to take on the might of a twisted regime intent on conquering the nation. The series is packed with action, suspense, drama and dystopian adventure.
Purchase:
Trailers
----
AUTHOR BIO:
Shalini lives in Dorset, England with her husband and two noisy boys. Before children, she was signed to Universal Music as a singer songwriter. Now, writing novels has hijacked her life and she is usually to be found with a laptop welded to her fingers and the house in a permanent state of neglect.
Author Links:
No comments:
Post a Comment