Good morning, dear hearts!
I can’t believe it has almost been a full year since I co-hosted our first #WyrdAndWonder event – May 2018 launched a month of celebrating Fantasy literature and all aspects of how Fantasy entertains us during our lives. This year, I have a lot of lovely stories I’ll be reading and sharing my thoughts about whilst putting together guest author features like this lovely interview I’m about to share today!
I like to keep a ready eye on the events coming through this touring company, as I have found more than one Fantasy novel I want to be reading through Xpresso Book Tours! They tend to focus on a lovely niche of stories which are intriguing to my bookish eyes and heart – this particular one was unique as it is hinged on the fact there are two different ways to live within this particular world. The concept I felt was rather brilliant, as it shows a lot of depth of purpose within the world-building – of how you can be anchoured through two unique perspectives of how life is organised on this world whilst you gather there is a lot yet to be known.
The best kinds of Fantasy is where you have a full suspension of knowledge – meaning, you walk into the story where everything feels new and unique; to where you have to take your time to become familiar with how the world is set and what is happening to the characters therein. I am going to try to get my library to consider this for purchase, as I would love to read it for #WyrdAndWonder this year – however, if it that is not in the cards, I am wicked thankful I can bring this interview to my readers!
In regards to #WyrdAndWonder, I will be talking more about this lovely event as we enter our 2nd Year late tonight as I am still developing my thoughts to share about what I am looking forward to most this coming May and how I will be celebrating the event! Lots of planning still left to do and I will be overjoyed once my first post goes live to properly help ‘announce!’ what our plans are this year for the event! Remember you can follow our announcements and the joy of the event via @WyrdAndWonder on Twitter or the tag routes to participants and co-hosts alike via #WyrdAndWonder on both Twitter and bookstagram!
As always, my conversations are best enjoyed with your favourite cuppa, a comfy place to sit and a curiosity about the series at hand! IF your cuppa involves tea, kindly let me know what your current favourite brew is below the conversation!
On the island of Bellona, they worship the sun. Seventeen-year-old Veda understands that keeping the sun content ensures plentiful crops, peace and harmony, and a thriving economy. But as a member of the Basso class, she never reaps those benefits.
Life as a Basso is one fraught with back-breaking work and imposing rules. Her close friendship with Nico is Veda’s one saving grace in a cruel world where the division between her people and the ruling Dogio is as wide and winding as the canals that snake through their island.
But when Veda’s grandfather is chosen as the next sacrificial offering to keep the sun’s favor, Veda is forced to see the injustice of her world. Turning away from the sun means she must join the night—and an underground revolution she’s been taught to fear all her life.Published by: Swoon Reads (@SwoonReads) | 12th March, 2019
You’re a soul sister – honestly, no one I know talks as openly about their preference for Winter over Summer online! When I read you would love snow over sunshine I seriously was chuffed!!
Fleck responds: I’m so happy to be here, Jorie! And, ha! Yeah, my love of winter does seem to surprise a lot of people. But growing up in sweltering Texas, once we moved to Colorado and I experience real snow for the first time, I was 100% hooked!
I’m quite sure if I ever get to experience a proper Winter, my distaste for Summer will start to melt out of my heart. I honestly can relate to what your saying here and I long to know what real snow will be for me as well. I only had a small portal of time in snow country and it was enough to convince me that four seasons are better than having seasons which blink off/on or never seem to fully arrive outside of the main season of focus your region hosts per year. Texas – goodness, I can’t even imagine!
What is an example of a favourite day spent during Winter?
Fleck responds: Ahhh… A nice walk in the snow (if it’s not too windy) and then sitting before the fire with a cup of tea or coffee and the puppy curled at my feet while I read, knit, or write. Perfection.
This is something I know I would enjoy myself – I love hiking and being in the natural world – to see the world glistening with snow and the stillness Winter provides I think would be quite heavenly. Ooh my goodness, yes! I love how you’ve painted the picture so well – how you can knit, write or read with a cuppa at hand and the warmth of Winter outside.
How did you develop the concept for the world within “Beware of the Night” – where the world is spilt in half between those who are of the sun and those who are of the moon? A uniquely new concept involving the differences in the day and night?
Fleck responds: Honestly, it evolved over time, as these things do. I knew before I started writing that I wanted a Venice-esque setting where the people worshiped the sun. And I knew I wanted there to be some underground society in direct opposition and it just made sense that they would worship the moon. From there, the mythology and themes and details developed quite naturally.
I truly love how you have such a dual personality to the story – of how half your characters worship either the moon or the sun, and how where they live on the world you’ve created dictates their impressions and actions.
What inspired your heroine Veda’s incredible courage to trust her instincts and her grandfather despite the traditions of how she was raised?
Fleck responds: Well, she didn’t trust her instincts right away, that’s for sure. She was skeptical, as one would be, because she had been raised within this society and didn’t really have any reason to question it other than that she disagreed with the abuse of power. But I think Veda has a pretty good internal compass—she certainly acts on impulse (sometimes not with the best results)—and deep down she’s always felt *something* wasn’t right. As for what inspired her? I think the prospect of a more hopeful, fair life for Basso and her love for her grandfather.
What was the most challenging part of writing this novel? The backstories of the characters or developing the realism within the world itself to where both sides of the story were equally illuminated?
Fleck responds: It might sound silly but probably the backstories. Only because I had to rewrite this book several times before we found the right balance and so things got very confusing as they changed from draft to draft! Fun fact: Veda originally had a ferret sidekick named Fin. But he was cut around draft 2. RIP, Fin.
I had to smile – I oft wondered if a writer regretted having to cut a character from their story or if it felt meant to be by the time a final draft was submitted. Sounds to me like you struck the right balance and drew together the bits of the story you felt most needed to remain inclusive.
Your cover art is literally stunning – what was your first reaction when you saw it and how did it murmur the vision you had for your world? Did you help it come into reality or was it created for you?
Fleck responds: I literally gasped. And then I lovingly stared at my screen for a really long time. If you’re not aware, Swoon Reads does cover voting and so there were originally 3 breathtaking sketch options to choose from. And, honestly, I’d have been thrilled with any one of them but my fave was definitely the one that was chosen. And when they sent me the final version with color, my goodness, I still swoon over it! The cover was illustrated by the amazingly talented Elen Winata. I will forever be grateful to Elen for how she so stunningly brought Veda and her world to life.
I’ve been learning more recently about how Swoon Reads works and publishes stories through hosting a few guest author interviews recently. I have been aware of Swoon Reads for six years now or thereabouts but I haven’t had the pleasure of seeking them out until recently. I love the process of cover art design and I am so very thankful you’ve shared how yours came to life.
What do you love most about writing fantastical worlds where you can bend our conception of reality and the purpose behind our lives? In other words, what first motivated you to become an author of Fantasy?
Fleck responds: I’ve always been drawn to fantasy—in movies, tv, books, music. Something about being able to escape reality. Magic and the other-worldly… the fantastically weird… it all resonates with me so deeply. So, I suppose, it was the natural choice. Though, it’s funny, I definitely tend to veer closer to magical realism, speculative fiction, paranormal, and dystopian. I haven’t attempted much high fantasy or magic-heavy fantasy. But as a reader/viewer, I love it all! Creating new worlds and characters with fun quirks is literally one of my favorite things ever.
I am the same way, truly – Fantasy and Science Fiction overall have played strong roles in my life from a young girl to an adult. Similar to you, it was across mediums of interest and introspection as well – books, films and tv series – as well as music – whilst I also noticed a quirk of my adulthood – I finally found a niche of literature in the Speculative realms which surprised me: Urban Fantasy! I read quite a lot of this and also similar to you, as a reader and as a book blogger I feel very comfortable discussing the stories of Fantasy but as a writer, I am still hesitating if I want to tackle building a world in this focus of interest.
I personally collect vintage typewriters – I aspire to write all of my manuscripts on them as honestly don’t trust technology to the brink of feeling its fail safe. My first typewriter was gifted to me by my parents its either a late 1930s or early 1940s Royal, which I need to get serviced but what I wanted to ask you is have you seen the typewriter documentary where Tom Hanks shares his passion for typewriters? Even if you haven’t – what era of typewriter is on your dream list and which kind of typewriter do you use now?
Fleck responds: Love this question! I haven’t seen the Tom Hanks documentary but it’s on my list now! I own 5 vintage typewriters and have had to cut myself off for the time being—it’s an expensive and bulky hobby. I don’t actually type on them—not my books, anyway. There’s no way I could get anything done in a timely manner (especially with deadlines) on a typewriter! Just thinking of trying to edit makes my head spin. BUT, I will say, having a hard copy of my works in progress is certainly tempting. My dream typewriter? The bubble-gum pink Royal Quiet DeLuxe circa 1957. Hands down.
Ooh you should! I loved how Hanks passionately talks about the typewriters and gets to introduce you to his machines. Really!? Wow. I found myself much more efficient using a typewriter and in regards to time, I hadn’t really noticed there was an especially longer time lapse to write on a typewriter vs a computer as the production of the words is the same plus you get to have a hard copy in front of you as your writing vs having to print the pages lateron if your using a processor. Perhaps we both just find different vehicles of getting our words out works best for us as I personally like the low-tech freedom of typewriters.
Goodness, five! That’s lovely! I just have the one right now but I do want to curate a small collection of them I can use on a regular basis. I am not beholding to one particular brand or edition – though I know the ones I select next to purchase won’t be pink – its just not a colour I ever loved but I do respect those who enjoy it.
I had to giggle reading about your yarn stash – being a knitter myself, I can understand how a stash can populate faster than tribbles! What do you think you’ll end up doing with the yarn and what are your favourite fibre projects?
Fleck responds: Oh, there’s always a use for leftover yarn and wool! Most of what I make is actually worn or used… scarves, gloves, hats, blankets, dog sweaters. My favorite projects are probably fingerless gloves—they’re quick and easy and I love wearing them.
Those are the projects I need to sort out at some point – fingerless gloves! I have seen patterns for them off/on which tempt me to try my hand at them but honestly, most of those patterns are a bit more complex to knit up than my current skill set would allow to be enjoyable! I seem to find the most complicated patterns when in reality I’d prefer either intermediate or easy ones!
What has been your absolute most watched, most beloved Masterpiece Theatre production and why?
Fleck responds: Wow, you really did your research—I’m impressed! Definitely Victoria!!! :Swoon: That show is a study in writing whirlwind, realistic romance. And as a result, I’m so interested in the life of Queen Victoria. Absolutely love it.
Laughs. Yes, I do love to research the authors I am interviewing – I couldn’t help but ask you this question as it is a passion I share with you. Masterpiece has developed so many lovelies over the years and provided me with so many enjoyable memories, I couldn’t wait to hear your answer. I haven’t had the chance to see ‘Victoria’ but I have heard a lot of good things about this series!
When you’re not researching and writing stories what uplifts your spirit the most?
Fleck responds: Travel, spending time with my family, the outdoors, coffee, dark chocolate, hunting for vintage finds at antique stores, and most definitely our mini labradoodle, Opal.
Antique stories! Ooh my yes, they provide such endless hours of joyfulness it is hard to even put it into words how happy I am around these kinds of places! I also of course muse about the stories behind the items for sale and who might have owned them first before they find a new life from someone who walks into a store like this and decides “I’ll take that home with me!”
About Jessika Fleck
Jessika Fleck is an author, unapologetic coffee drinker, and knitter — she sincerely hopes to one day discover a way to do all three at once. Until then, she continues collecting vintage typewriters and hourglasses, dreaming of an Ireland getaway, and convincing her husband they NEED more kittens. Her YA debut, THE CASTAWAYS (Entangled TEEN), is now available. Her next YA novel, BEWARE THE NIGHT (Swoon Reads/Macmillan) releases March 12, 2019.
This author interview is courtesy of: Xpresso Book Tours
Be sure to follow the blog tour route to see what else awaits you!
Most of the blitzes & blog tours I host for this touring company have giveaways attached to them, which is why I route to the main page via Xpresso Tours as an easy reference for where you can find that information.
I’d like to take a moment to thank Ms Fleck for giving me a fun & light conversation – I enjoyed digging a bit into her life outside of writing, seeing where our mutual interests lie and also, getting a bit more information about the world she’s built within this novel. It is quite an impressive premise and I have enjoyed bringing this conversation to the tour!
Similar to blog tours where I feature book reviews, as I choose to highlight an author via a Guest Post, Q&A, Interview, etc., I do not receive compensation for featuring supplemental content on my blog. I provide the questions for interviews and topics for the guest posts; wherein I receive the responses back from publicists and authors directly. I am naturally curious about the ‘behind-the-scenes’ of stories and the writers who pen them; I have a heap of joy bringing this content to my readers.
{SOURCES: Book Cover for “Beware the Night”, the biography and photograph of Jessika Fleck as well as the blog tour banner and the host badge were provided by Xpresso Book Tours and are used with permission. Post dividers by Fun Stuff for Your Blog via Pure Imagination. Tweets embedded by codes provided by Twitter. Blog graphics created by Jorie via Canva: Conversations with the Bookish and the Comment Box Banner.}
Copyright © Jorie Loves A Story, 2019.
Thanks for being on the tour! :)