Jeyn Roberts, the author behind the Dark Inside series has just released a rather different novel called The Bodies We Wear.
You’ve just released The Bodies We Wear. Can you tell us a bit about it?
Faye was only eleven when she and her friend, Christian, were forced to take Heam. She survived. Christian didn’t. Now, six years later, she’ll stop at nothing to get revenge against the men who killed Christian and left her with the scars and addiction of a Heam abuser.
Can you give us some insight into your main character, Faye?
She’s pretty badass. Faye’s been through some of the worst humanity has to offer. She lost her friend, was rejected by her mother, and deals with an addiction worse than anything imaginable. She’s driven by revenge, and it’s become the only important thing in her life. But don’t let her tough attitude fool you. She’s spent years building a wall around the world, but she’s about to find out some cracks can’t be repaired.
With this release, you’ve moved away from the dystopian setting in the Dark Inside series. Why did you want to do something different this time?
I think the world would be a very boring place if authors kept writing the same books. This was a story that got inside my head, and it’s very personal to me. I began writing it after my father died and I spent time focusing on a lot of questions about life and death.
For the benefit of those not familiar with the Dark Inside series, can you tell us about them?
Sure. Earthquakes rock the world, awakening an ancient evil that gets into the minds of a small percentage of the population. Within a few weeks, most of the world’s population is gone. All you have left are a few survivors and a bunch of psychotic crazies. Dark Inside is the story of Mason, Clementine, Aries, and Michael, four teenagers just trying to stay alive.
How did you start writing? Was there a particular book or moment in your life that spurred you on?
I’ve always been a writer, ever since I was a little girl. There’s just something about creating a story that is more satisfying for me than reading one. I can’t even think of a particular book or moment. The desire to write has always been there.
What sort of challenges did you face before your first book was published? Any advice for aspiring writers?
Any author will tell you that getting a book published is one of the hardest things to do. For me, getting an agent was the biggest challenge. I’ve got the rejections to prove it! Dark Inside wasn’t my first book, or even my second. I wrote a few before finally getting my first break. The advice I like to give is simple: Keep writing. Never stop. If your novel gets turned down, write a second. And a third. Every time you write, you improve. Writing a novel isn’t simple. Very few people can do it. Don’t feel bad about rejection, either. It’s a rite of passage. Every author gets rejected, even the most successful. And don’t be afraid to get feedback from people you trust. As authors, we often get too involved in our stories to spot our mistakes. It helps to have another pair of eyes. Criticism is never negative. It helps us become better.
Have you ever struggled between what you would like to have happen to a character and what you considered more sensible to occur? Can you tell us when, and what did you do at last?
Yes! I find that good characters often start to take on minds of their own. Eventually, they go off in their own direction and I have no choice but to follow. A good example is Mason from Dark Inside. He drives me nuts. I found that by the end of writing Rage Within, I wanted to throw him off a cliff. I hated the choices he made, but at the same time, I knew it was entirely Mason’s personality.
The UK and US releases of the Dark Inside series have had different covers. Do you think the cover plays an important part in the book-buying process?
Absolutely. A good cover stands out in the sea of books at the shop. As an author, you want something that will scream “pick me up.”
What are your thoughts on good and bad reviews?
I’m good with them. I don’t read all my reviews, but now and then I’ll take a peek at Goodreads or Amazon. I don’t mind bad reviews. I fully understand that what I write isn’t going to make everyone happy. I’ll also admit, if I’m interested in a book, I’ll go read the one-star reviews first. I’m always more interested to find out why someone dislikes something.
How do you define success as an author?
I think it’s different from author to author. But there is nothing more incredible than holding a copy of your very first book. I’ll never forget that moment. I won’t lie, there were tears.
For your own reading, do you prefer ebooks or traditional books?
I’m old-school. I love paper/hardback books. I love the softness of the covers, the way the pages smell, and the satisfaction of turning pages. I also read in the bathtub, and dropping a book in the water is less disastrous than dropping an e-reader. That said, I’m not against ebooks. They’re great for traveling.
What kind of books do you read? Any favorite authors?
I read everything. I’m a big fan of horror, especially Stephen King. I still love the Harry Potter books. Lately I’ve been into Joe Hill, Neal Shusterman, Natsuo Kirino, Jonathan Maberry . . . I’d better stop. I could go on all night.
What do you do when you’re not writing? Any hobbies?
I’m a big hiking enthusiast. I love being in the woods. I also love to travel. I got a puppy in March and she’s become a large part of my life. She keeps me busy and wandering the woods of North Vancouver. I’ll also admit, I’ve become a bit of a Reddit addict these days.
What’s next? What are you working on?
I’m doing a few different things right now. I’m editing a ghost story that will be out next year. I’m also working on my first adult horror novel. And I’ve recently started working on the third Dark Inside novel.
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Interview by Dag Rambraut – SFFWorld.com © 2014
