Hello, readers! I’m excited to introduce our March debut author: Alwyn Hamilton!
For those of you just joining, I’ve been hosting a 2016 Debut Author Series, where I post short, Proust-inspired questionnaires with a 2016 debut author every month. I kicked off the series with author Marieke Nijkamp, and last month I featured the lovely Kathryn Purdie! Our third debut author of 2016 is Alwyn Hamilton.
Alwyn’s book, Rebel of the Sands, was released YESTERDAY in the US! Check it out here: http://rebelofthesands.co.uk. Without further ado…
- What character trait would you thieve from someone else (and who from)?
I’d steal my mother’s discipline. With that I’d instantly become more organized, suddenly have the patience to actually chop, simmer and all around cook things, and actually absorb non fiction without getting distracted.
- What’s the last lie you told?
I don’t really lie? I know that sounds like a lie itself, but ironically, given my main character in Rebel, lying has just never been an instinct. I’m the sort of person who turns up late to work, and instead of muttering about slow trains and bad traffic I will flat out tell my boss I stayed in bed an extra 10 minutes watching Taylor Swift’s new music video.
- If you could punch one person on the planet with absolutely no repercussions, who would it be?
Probably an IRL nemesis (everyone has a few of those right? I’m not weird?) I mean it just always looks so satisfying in movies when the jerk ex gets punched?
- What possession do you consider your “precious”? So, something you’d fight to the death for on the slopes of Mt. Doom.
A small jade New Zealand Tiki necklace that my dad gave me. He told me it would bring me luck so I’ve worn it to every exam and job interview I’ve ever done. I had it on under my shirt when I met with my now agent. I still wear it when I feel like I need a bit of luck.
- Best one line writing advice you’ve ever gotten?
From Pixar’s Emma Coats 22 #StoryBasics (which are all invaluable): “Simplify. Focus. Combine characters. Hop over detours. You’ll feel like you’re losing valuable stuff but it sets you free.”
- What book do you wish you’d written?
I’m not sure I’d want to have written any book I’ve loved because then I wouldn’t have gotten to read it and obsesses and learn from it…but I read Fables by Bill Willingham recently, and I have always wanted to do a something creative with fairytale characters so maybe that one. Plus, it’s a graphic novel, so if I’d written that it would mean I was also artistically talented.
- You can only listen to one song for the rest of your life. What is it?
Bulletproof by LaRoux. I don’t even love it that much, but I’ve drafted books to that song on loop more than any other. I’m scared that I’d never be able to write another book without it.
- You magically obtain the ability to cast one and only one spell from the Harry Potter universe—but you can cast it as much as you like. Which one is it?
There’s a charm to immediately put a room back to rights isn’t there? Slughorn uses it at the beginning of Halfblood Prince? I can’t remember what it is exactly…but being the equivalent of a human hurricane when it comes to turning a room to chaos I’d pick that one.
- With only your
wit and an oft-malfunctioning magic wand, you are forced into a death match with either Shelob, the enormous spider from Lord of the Rings, or Voldemort. Who do you choose?
Voldemort. I’m seriously arachnophobic, I’d freeze up against Shelob and all her legs and eyes *shudder*. At least I’d have a chance of standing my ground and fighting back against Voldy.
- Describe your debut novel in one sentence:
A sharpshooting girl gunning for a better life, a foreign rogue with a secret, and a rebellion that could set the desert on fire.
Thanks for taking the time Alwyn! And thank you, readers. You can follow Alwyn on Twitter at @AlwynFJH. Happy reading!