An Interview with the Incredibly Fantastic, Chris Wooding

I got to interview one of my favorite authors, Chris Wooding! He has written (in case you haven't read them... if you haven't then I command you to go pillage a bookstore... or plunder a library... honestly, just get them) The Haunting of Alaizabel Cray, Poison, Storm Thief, The Braided Path, and others. I might have commented occasionally.

1.) Where do you get your inspiration for the various, fantastic worlds you have created?

I don't think anyone knows where their inspiration comes from, really. I don't need to go looking for inspiration: it's always there, I just have to channel it into something that I can create. I suppose I was inspired to write because I was so colossally bored throughout most of my childhood that making things up was more interesting than dealing with what was there. I just like the process of putting worlds and stories together and making them work.

2.) Are you ever tempted to write more about your characters like Rail and Moa, or Poison?

Not really. Once I've told the story of a character it's easier to make up a new one than to find something interesting to say about one that already exists. I generally don't rule out sequels but every one I've done so far has been planned from the start.

And I think I can speak for all of us readers when I say we appreciate it. There's nothing quite as unpleasant as an unplanned series... except maybe swallowing a porcupine.

3.) Who were your favorite authors as a kid?

I guess the usual ones: Stephen King, Terry Brooks, Tolkien, that sort of thing. It wasn't till I got older that I started finding books that weren't already bestsellers.

4.) If you could own any vehicle, what would it be?

Hmm. Something fast, with front mounted rocket launchers and a chameleon ability. And it has to have a toaster in it. I like to have English muffins while I'm sowing havoc on the roadways.

Who doesn't?

5.) Do you ever run into fans in weird places?

Usually it happens at conventions. Conventions are weird places, so yes!

6.) Read any good books lately?

Just finished Augusten Burroughs' Dry, and before that it was J.R. Moehringer's (sp?) The Tender Bar, which was brilliant. Both memoirs about alcoholism, oddly. I'm in a memoir-reading phase at the moment. I read so much fantasy and SF as a kid that I find it quite hard to read nowadays unless it's utterly amazing or really original.

7.) *inner artist fights way into interview* Out of all of your books, which one do you think has the best cover?

Of the UK covers, I'd say probably The Weavers Of Saramyr. I really liked that one. Although I really love The Fade too. I just got a Russian copy of Storm Thief that had a superb cover; I wish we'd had it for the UK one!

Argh, I did try to find pictures of those, but I can't tell which ones are which... and now blogger won't let me un-italicize this...

8.) *shamelessly steals question from Aella* Have you ever done anything absurd to procrastinate writing?

Nothing too absurd apart from the usual stuff (you know, talking to sthingys, drinking a thousand cups of coffee and getting the jitters, creating random playlists on iTunes etc). I'm pretty strict with myself when it comes to writing, I don't let myself mess around. If I was your boss, you'd hate me.

9.) Do you have any favorite words?

Abscission is right up there. I'm dying to work it into a book without sounding pretentious.

Wow, that's a good one. You do use some other great words in your books, too *coughmaelstromcough*

10.) Maelstroms, tempests, or whirlwinds?

Maelstroms. I always used to imagine them as a whirlwind of letters and parcels when I was a kid, so I'm quite fond of them.

Excellent choice.

11.) Are you writing anything exciting right now?

I'm about halfway through The Ace Of Skulls, which is the first of a new series of adult SF/fantasy books. It's tons of fun so far. I'm also working on a fledgeling television series with a couple of producers, but that's all hush-hush for the moment.

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Alright, well that's another splendid interview. I am so glad that all of these amazing authors can take the time to talk to us. *cries* Thank you!

From the Shadows,