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Interview with the author
Q. Why did you write this book?
A. It was strange. I was waiting
for copy back from an editor, not Susan, and I got
bored. I also felt the need to write a dystopian
novel, something in the Young Adult genre. I had
two provisos: strong female lead, and to address
modern day problems some, maybe many teenagers face,
'tweenies' also.
Idling away, hah! I wrote the first line, "Do
you think about sex all the time Daddy?"
I was away, and the story just came out with a
rush.
Q. So you didn't plan to write
the book.
A. No, but I had ideas, signposts
if you prefer. Susan says there are two, and only
two types of writers: plotters or pantsers. Most
of us are somewhere in between. Plotters plan the
story to the infinite degree. Pantsers, as the label
suggests, write by the seat of their pants. I'm
80% pantser.
Q. Whose your favourite character?
A. Whoa! That's a toughie. Satan.
Q. You mean the dog?
A. Yes, but joking. He was fun
to write, the toffee chocolate episode especially.
Rather than pick a single character, I would prefer
to focus on how those characters developed throughout
the story, due to the ways they interacted. Rosa,
Shona's new mother, Teves, her substitute father.
The transformation of Shona/April herself. Writing
it became a great thrill.
But it was also a means to send a clear message
through to our next generation, via what befell
the girls. Annaliese became a victim, her friend
committed suicide, but Shone stood up for herself.
Those three options remain open to any kid in the
modern world, all one has to do is choose.
Q. And your message is?
A. Stand up to bullies, and if
they upset you, get rid of social media, even you
cell phone. Don't cut yourself, cut your bullies.
If you don't know how to, learn how to.
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