7 Questions I Always Ask +1 with Alyxandra Harvey, author of RED, The Lovegrove Legacy and STOLEN AWAY)
Alyxandra Harvey is always a delight—a poet and novelist (with so many books out I can’t count them all in my head), her work is so full of spunky characters, dangerous intrigue, and good, old-fashioned fairytale fun. So when I got word that she was down for 7 Questions +1, I was super pumped. Here’s what she had to say:
E. Kristin Anderson: What was the first spark of inspiration for your latest novel?
Entangled Teen, March 2015.
Alyxandra Harvey: Usually a first line or a character starts poking me until I have to write their story. I also wanted to play with gothic stories and fairy tales because that’s always fun. And I’d already written about so many supernatural creatures: vampires, dragons, werewolves, ghosts, Fae, witches… I thought, why not put them all together? What happens when you have a zoo full of manticores and griffins and whatnot?
Plus, Kia’s voice was very loud and distinct and a little edgier than some of my previous characters so that was fun too.
EKA: What kind of planning do you do before you start writing?
AH: I jump right in with a first scene and a character and see where they will lead me. Unless I’m writing something historical and then I spend a few weeks re-immersing myself in the time period. I love the research, books, taking notes—and watching movies. Not for historical accuracy of course, but for atmosphere. Plus, I can claim watching Pride and Prejudice as ‘working’
EKA: If you could have lunch with any writer living or dead, who would it be?
AH: I’d love to have lunch with Jane Austen and the Bronte sisters—but maybe just tea and cake. Because 19th century food? Boiled calves feet, tongue, weird jellies, magotty stilton cheese… um, no thanks.
EKA: What is the first book you remember reading and enjoying as a young reader?
Scholastic, Reprint Edition, January 1991.
AH: I was apparently obsessed with THE PRINCESS AND THE PEA, THE JUNGLE BOOK and LITTLE HIAWATHA. I vaguely remember a book I think was called THE GIRL WITH THE SILVER EYES? And the Sweet Valley High series of course, which were $2.95 and I had $3 allowance and would read them on the stairs because I couldn’t even wait to get up to my room. And in grade 9—The Dragonlance books and The Belgariad by David Eddings. Oops. Ok, that’s more than one book . Occupational Hazard.
EKA: If you could go back and time and tell your teen self ONE THING AND ONE THING ONLY, what would it be?
AH: Calm That Shit Down. You’re 15—don’t worry so much, my little Capricorn. (And, on a related note, FFS you’re not fat and if you were—so what??)
EKA: If you haven’t had a book challenged or banned, would you want this to happen to you? Why or why not?
Bloomsbury USA Children’s, October 2014.
AH: I haven’t had a book banned. I’m sure it would be frustrating but also the kinds of things that get banned—same sex relationship etc? I’d happily be banned for writing more love into the world.
EKA: What kind of book do you really want to try to write, but haven’t ever attempted? And what do you think is holding you back?
AH: I just finished writing a post apocalyptic fantasy and that was the kind of thing I never thought I’d write. I wrote a short story called “Green Jack” (Urban Green Man anthology) and then found I just didn’t want to let it go so I went deeper.
I also love alternative future stories—the kind you get in an established series (usually tv). What if one thing changed—the vampires won or we were invaded by aliens or whatever—I’d love to try that one day. It’s very specific though, you have to already be in such an established well known story universe.
EKA: Your character, Kia, has a thing for fire. What are some of your favorite fire-y stories?
AH: I tend to get my fire fix from comics—Hellboy and X-Men etc. I’m not great with fire—I am just mastering the art of building a proper campfire so I often think it would be a great super power. But without the blisters and burns and forest fires that Kia has to deal with…
Alyxandra Harvey
Alyxandra Harvey lives in a stone Victorian house in Ontario, Canada with a few resident ghosts who are allowed to stay as long they keep company manners. She loves medieval dresses, used to be able to recite all of “The Lady of Shalott” by Tennyson, and has been accused, more than once, of being born in the wrong century. She believes this to be mostly true except for the fact that she really likes running water, women’s rights, and ice cream.
Aside from the ghosts, she also lives with three dogs and her husband. She likes chai lattes, tattoos, and books.
Find Alyxandra Online:
Website: http://alyxandraharvey.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/alyxandrah
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AlyxandraHarvey
