Interview with Alice J. Black
Alice J. Black’s Soul Seekers series comes to an end today with the release of the last book, Facing the Torment. Today, I interview her about her latest book and her writing.
What inspired you to write your latest work? What is special about it?
Facing the Torment is the last in the series of the Soul Seekers Series. I was inspired to write the series originally when replying to a call asking for strong female heroines. Peyton was that woman and she grew in my mind as naturally as a thought and it all went from there. It was when I started thinking about her backstory and how she came to be as strong as she is that I began to write the series and Facing the Torment is her ultimate battle.
What character from your book are you most like? Unlike?
I’m not really sure. In the Soul Seekers Series, I guess I’m parts of both Peyton and Olivia. I tend to be quite confident like Peyton at times and do what I believe in, but I can also be quite stubborn and love to be organized like Olivia!
How long have you been writing? Did you always know you wanted to be a writer?
I’ve always loved writing. I remember carrying a notebook around as a kid and writing stories or scribbling notes on paper. Sometimes I wonder what I wrote, but I always remember feeling comfortable when I did it like I was in my happy place. I think I always knew I wanted to write. As much as I loved to read, I wanted to create the worlds that others could enjoy as much as I did.
I think a lot of writers feel that way. They want to write something others will enjoy. Tell us about your writing process. What’s the journey from draft to published piece?
It can depend on a lot of different things for me. Sometimes an idea will come to me and it’s so forceful that I’ll have to drop everything else to write it. The Demon Hunter series was like that. It started with the first line of the first book and grew from that to a series of novels in a year. Other times it requires a little more thought. Sometimes an idea needs to germinate in my mind for a few days, weeks, or even months before it’ll click together.
Do you plot out every story, or have the characters drive it?
Mostly I have the
characters drive the story. I’ll have a loose idea in my head of where I want
it to start and end up and I let the characters take control. That’s how the
Soul Seekers Series came about. Peyton took control of the story (and her life)
and the adventure moved forward! There have been odd times I’ve planned to the
last detail but I find it doesn’t really work for me.
Where do you write?
I actually converted my spare room into a writing room. I absolutely love it. Being in here surrounded by my books, on my lovely leather chair and looked down upon by some of my favorite collectibles, I feel at home.
Do you have a writing goal you want to achieve? What does success look like for you?
I just want to keep writing. Sometimes that can change for me and particularly now after starting a new day job I’m struggling to work writing into my daily routine. But I want to continue writing, I want to enjoy it and I want other people to enjoy what I create.
It can be tough with a job pulling you in different directions. What helps you most when it comes to writing?
I tend to have a process whereby I like getting up early morning and switching on my laptop. I’ll do any odd bits I have left to do, make a coffee and set the mood with some music (usually the Lord of the Rings soundtrack) and then I write!
Who, or what inspired you to become a writer?
I always remember reading The Hobbit as a kid and being totally immersed in the land of Middle Earth and the journey Bilbo Baggins went on. I loved the world, the characters, the writing and the way I just couldn’t put it down. That was probably my first inspiration as a writer.
Which book has had the most impact on you besides the Hobbit?
Besides The
Hobbit, I’d say the Harry Potter series. It’s affected my life (as it has so
many others) and made me believe in magic just that little bit more!
How often do you write? Tell us more about your other job.
I work full time in a day job. I love my job (although it’s still quite new and I’m still figuring out the ropes) but I do struggle to fit writing in. I’m up at 5:30 for work in the morning and I think I’d struggle to get up earlier to write and when I come home it’s always time for other things like seeing people and eating! Haha. I used to write daily in my previous job but right now, I’m lucky if it’s once a week. But I’m sure I’ll get there!
What’s the best piece of writing advice someone has given you?
Just keep at it. It’s tough. Sometimes you feel like you’re slogging away and getting nowhere. Each day is different, as is each story and it’s about dedication and perseverance.
Do you have a favorite review of your book? Can you share why you like it?
This is a review
for The Leak of Madness by Genre Minx reviews. I love it because it’s honest
and made me feel that I’d achieved what I hoped to do: allow somebody to enjoy
my world and characters.
Well damn if that wasn’t just eighty-two pages of awesomeness! Wow, I loved reading The Leak of Madness! Right from the start of this novella I was all in. Peyton’s character is an alcoholic and she knows it but she is unwilling to change anything. She fears what will happen to her if she is sober far more than what damage she is inflicting on herself. She may not like who she has become and her memories only make living more painful for her but that is a better alternative for her than what she knows is waiting for her on the other side.
When Peyton was younger she realized that she could hear voices, and not just any voices, but voices from the dead. She quickly found a remedy for her predicament and she has been gleefully adhering to her solution for many years. It was not until she was coerced into attending a wedding with her best friend that she was put to the test. She would come face to face with her abilities in the most horrifying way and she would be faced with making choices that up until now she was too fearful to make.
The writing for The Leak of Madness was just riveting. I loved how the story opened up, it gave me a creep out from the start. I hated to see how messed up Peyton was and I am not a fan of her supposed best friend but it did paint a picture that was expressive and tragic. As the story continued I became more disgusted with Peyton’s behavior and as equally intrigued as the side of her she tried so hard to dampen came tumbling out. Loved that! Then, oh man, the creepiness of what took place next, sooo good! I am looking forward to the next novella in this series and I am hoping for some positive character development for Peyton.
What are you working on now?
Right now I have edits for the fourth Demon Hunter novel underway. I’m also working on a couple of short story ideas. After that, it may be a case of going back to the ideas list!
What do you like to do besides writing?
Right now one of
my main things is running. I picked it up just before I turned 30 and have gone
from non-runner to somewhat-runner haha. I struggle with it some days but I
enjoy it and get to run with an awesome group of ladies, my dad and do regular
Park Runs.
I’m also busy wedding planning! We’re getting married in October this year so that, alongside getting a new job and trying to generally manage life, has made things hectic but interesting!
Congratulations, on the wedding and the running! I am so not a runner. Thanks for spending time with us today, Alice. Where can fans connect with you?
Facebook:
www.facebook.com/alice.j.black.doors
Twitter:
@alicejblack
Blog:
https://alicejblack.wordpress.com/
Instagram:
alicejblack
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Alice lives and works in the North
East of England with her partner and slightly ferocious cats! Alice has always
enjoyed writing from being a child when she used to carry notebooks and write
stories no matter where she went. Nothing much has changed and she writes all
manner of fiction with a tendency to lean towards the dark side. Most of her
work is rooted in darkness, her inspiration coming from a macabre selection of
reads as well as the dreams that frequent her sleep.
Her debut novel, The Doors, was released in 2014 and her next novel release, A Shadowed Beginning, the first part in a series of seven, was released in Autumn 2017. She is currently working on the Soul Seekers series. The prequel, The Leak of Madness, was released in Feb 2018, and they will continue to appear every two months. Her first horror novel, The Devil’s Playground, has been unleashed on unsuspecting readers June 2018! Several of her short stories have been included in anthologies with various presses and she is always working on more. When she’s not writing, she always has a book in her hand and will read from whatever genre suits her that day.
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