I'm joined today by Sam Hawksmoor, the author of the fantabulous YA Thriller/Mystery/Supernatural novel, The Repossession. He is here with us to talk about his book and his passion for writing. Enjoy the interview and don't forget to enter to WIN a copy of the book!
The Repossession
499 pagesPublished March 1st 2012 by Hodder Children's Books
34 kids missing. Vanished without a trace.
Believing she is possessed, Genie Magee's mother has imprisoned her all summer encouraged by the sinister Reverend Schneider. Beautiful Rian, love of her life, sets her free, and their escape washes them up at Marshall's remote farmhouse downriver. But why are there newspaper clippings of the missing kids pinned to Marshall's bathroom wall? And should they believe his stories about the experiments at the Fortress, an underground research station nearby?
Genie meets Denis. Missing two years now, but hasn't grown an inch. Rian is haunted by Renée, who insists she's not actually dead. Soon they discover the terrible truth about Reverend Schneider and worse, Genie is next ... and Rian can't do a thing to prevent it.
The Repossession is just the beginning.
About the author:
E: Evie
SH: Sam Hawksmoor
E: Welcome to Bookish, Sam! Thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to talk to us today! Your recently published YA novel, The Repossession, is a wildly compelling, edgy thriller, full of surprising plot twists and fabulously fleshed out characters – I couldn’t have loved it more! Would you mind telling us what/who inspired you to write it?
SH: It was inspired by a young lady who was going through a tough time and fought hard to full recovery. It was also influenced by another girl whose family threw her out and shunned her at 16 when she fell for a guy outside her religion. She’s still in touch and pretty well adjusted considering.
E: The main protagonists in your book, Genie and Rian, are both likable and easy to connect with. I loved the chemistry between them! Are any of your characters based on people in your own life? Which of them do you think is most like you?
SH: So yes to Genie. She is very much based on a real girl called Roxy. One who has a happy ending and marrying soon as it happens. I don’t think either are quite like me. They are much braver and resolute. (I’m probably more like Moucher the dog!)
E: How would you describe The Repossession in five words?
SH: Devotion, loyalty, leadership, action, determination.
E: What was the most difficult part of the novel for you to write?
SH: Editing out the more tender intimate moments of their relationship. Keeping to the age specific I guess.
E: Have you always wanted to be a writer? At what point in your life did you decide that writing is something you want to do?
SH: Been writing all my life. I was encouraged at school and we had access to a good library there. I guess I wanted to write the kind of stuff that excited me when I was a kid.
E: How do you approach writing a new novel? Are you a plotter or a pantser?
SH: I have no idea what a pantser is - no elastic sided pants allowed in this house thank you very much. As for plotting. Well yes to a certain extent. I tend to make notes before I write a chapter so I don’t write myself off a cliff. Sometimes I can see a whole scene I have to come to, so you know the road has to lead there whatever happens. Book Two ‘The Hunting’ is pretty much all action as they try to stay ahead of The Evil Fortress. I’m afraid not all are going to survive…
E: What’s next in line for you? Are you working on a new book now?
SH: Working on one right now, another dystopian glimpse at the future, but I have completed a novel set in the London Blitz that my agent is keen on – so hopefully that will be picked up.
E: Where is your favorite place for writing? Do you have any special writing rituals?
SH: Coffee shop, preferably sitting in a sunbeam. Much of The Repossession was written in three different coffee shops, one in Vancouver (Epicurian) out on the narrow terrace with Koko (the dog) at my side, one in Biarritz (Miremont – like writing in the First Class lounge on the Titanic with view of the ocean), one in Portsmouth (Café P) where I was teaching and doing tutorials at the time. Rituals? Yes. Always read back what you wrote before. Keeps you in line and in voice.
E: Do you even experience writer’s block? If so, how do you deal with it?
SH: Long walks, go see a movie, fall in love… or all three.
E: Which three of your favorite books would you recommend everybody to read?
SH: The Droughtlanders by Carrie Mac, Ship Breakers by P Bacigalupi, Miss Smilla’s Feeling for Snow by Peter Hoeg
E: If your book had a soundtrack to accompany it, what songs would be on it?
SH: It had a soundtrack. The Pierces (13 Tales of Love) Inception Soundtrack (played loud) In the Mood for Love (Movie soundtrack Hong Kong) and lots of Mexican music and singing when I was in France. (And Moucher barking – yes there really is a dog).
Sam, thank you so much for joining us today!
I'm looking forward to reading The Hunting!
I hope you guys enjoyed the interview, for more information about Sam Hawksmoor and his book, please visit his website.
GIVEAWAY
Hachette Book Group Canada has generously offered to giveaway one finished copy of The Repossession!
Enter through Rafflecopter below!
Open to: CANADA
Ends: March 25th
a Rafflecopter giveaway
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About the AuthorEvie is the Blogger behind Bookish. She enjoys reading many different genres, especially YA, Paranormal, Contemporary Fiction and Fantasy.She loves talking to authors and is always happy to welcome them for interviews, and guest posts. She also likes spreading the love for awesome books and chatting with fellow book-worms.
You can find Evie here: Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Shelfari | The Library Thing
