We meet at a time where Book 2 in your phenomenal Shadowhall Academy series has been published, could you give those who have yet to indulge in the series a glimpse at what Book 1 holds in store for them, in a few words of your own.
I suppose it’s what might be called “an origin story” as it’s about the early life of Aveline Jones’ Aunt Lilian. We catch up with her in the 1980s just as she’s starting a new boarding school. It’s a very creepy place and when she hears that the school is haunted, she can’t resist finding out more, which leads her (and us) off on a scary adventure.
– The series takes place in my home county, Suffolk, and I understand you live in Oregon, USA, but grew up in Manchester, UK. How did you come to write about Suffolk?
The inspiration is the British ghost writer M.R. James, who set his most (in)famous ghost story there. I always think of lonely, windswept beaches when I think about Suffolk.
– Have you ever visited Suffolk, and if so where? If you haven’t, would you plan to in the future?
I haven’t to my shame, but it’s on my to-do list. I’m fascinated by history so know I would be spoiled for choice.
– We travel back to the 80s to Lillian and friends at the Academy, any reason for that time period versus current time?
Partly because my (very rough) maths worked out that was when Lilian would have been around 11. Also, I grew up in the 80s so felt that would give me a writing advantage.
– Book 1 and 2 have the most incredible atmospherics written into every paragraph, I literally get goosebumps reading them, how do you write with so much conviction as far as the spooky and scary surroundings and vibes are concerned?
Thanks for saying that. My whole life has revolved around an obsession with horror books and films, so I feel like I’ve done decades of research building up to this moment! I think there are a lot of great books and films swimming around in my sub-conscious and I’m able to tap into those for inspiration.
– What would you say has been the biggest inspiration for your writing of Shadowhall Academy?
I think the character of Lilian. I really enjoyed writing her in the Aveline books and thought she was one of the more interesting and complex characters in the stories, so it was fun to imagine a younger version of her.
– Will there be more to come from Shadowhall Academy? Will we return to Lillian in the future? Are we looking at a trilogy? ( I note there are three titles in your Aveline Jones series)
Alas, this is just a two-book series. I found it hard to write about something I have zero knowledge of (an all-girl boarding school) and while I think I could come up with another scary adventure, it’s a relief in some ways that I don’t have to!
– The girls in the boarding school that is Shadowhall Academy are hardy and brave, with courage being in large supply there, what inspired you to write of these incredible characters and their immense bond with one another?
I very much wanted the characters to become really close and tight knit. They’re at an age when sometimes, the friends you make stay your friends for the rest of your life. And when you’re frightened, there’s nothing better than having people you trust beside you. It inspires you to be braver yourself. So I wanted to create this group of girls who are very much individuals, but together, make a formidable team.
– It is clear to anyone that has the pleasure of reading your books that you have a natural gift for spooky stories, at what age did you start writing them?
Thank you. I was in my thirties when I decided to give writing books a go. I’d got to an age where I wanted a creative outlet, something that was all mine and I could escape to at the end of the day. I started with short stories and went on from there.
– What advice would you give to young readers looking to write with an atmospheric edge to their stories?
Read a lot. See how other people do it. Also, draw from your own experience. What scares you? What spooky places have you visited? What gives you nightmares?
– Were there any books and/or authors that you particularly loved growing up?
So many. To name but a few: Tolkien, Alan Garner, Susan Cooper, James Herbert, Dennis Wheatley, Jane Austen, Mary Shelley, Dickens.
– Finally, is there a particular scene in either of the Shadowhall Academy books that you loved writing most? Which and Why?
There are so many. If forced to choose, I’d probably say the opening scene of the first book. I love opening scenes, they’re so important for building tension and grabbing readers’ attention. And while I hope there is a lot of scary stuff in the two books, surely there’s nothing more terrifying than starting a new school!
I would like to thank Phil for taking part in this interview, and for opening the doors to Shadowhall Academy for all of us to enter and be entertain in. I will cherish my time there.
samjdthomas.home.blog 