Interview with Author Siân Mole
Siân Mole
I am thrilled to have interviewed author Siân Mole, who shared with us details of her writing life, her book ‘Trapped‘, which was released on 12th May 2023, and answered a few fun questions. This post contains affiliate links.
I am a writer, reader, painter, librarian and professional procrastinator. I have lived in three different continents and well over twenty different towns or cities in my lifetime! There’s never been a dull moment but now I find myself in Cambridgeshire with my husband, two teenagers and two fluffy bunnies.
Things that haven’t changed in my life are my love of reading and writing. As a kid I always had my nose in a book and this is much the same as an adult. I wrote my first children’s book ‘Big Hand’s Gang’ when I was ten and even submitted it to a publisher. I received a lovely personal rejection!
Nowadays I’m still writing children’s fiction. I am currently working on the first draft of my second spooky middle grade book, ‘The Whispering Children’.
5 things you might not know about me:
-I have skydived from 14,000 feet.
-I once shared a shower with a Golden Orb spider that was the same size as a plate.
-Occasionally I eat cheese before I go to bed to see if it will make me dream of wild horses (it hasn’t yet.)
-My granny was part of the code crackers of Bletchley Park in World War II.
-I hate fresh coriander and mushrooms.
1) Where did the inspiration for your book come from?
When I was little my granny used to live in a big old house in Wales called Llwynderw Hall. My siblings and I had lots of happy holidays there, spending hours in the attic making up games. It was always a little spooky though and we felt like there might be a resident ghost! I always thought it would make a great setting for a story and along came the idea for TRAPPED. Llwynderw Hall became Clanderra Hall and the rest is history.
2) How did you plan out the plot?
I tend to write the plot of the book in my head first, I spend a long time in thinking mode. Then I briefly plot out what will happen in each section. This then gets broken down into chapters and then I begin to write. Obviously a lot changes along the way but I’m definitely a plotter and like to know the direction the story is going in.
3) When did you choose the title for your book?
I knew fairly early on what I wanted the title to be and it fits so well with the theme of the book that is never changed.
4) How did you come up with the names for your characters?
This is difficult to answer as I don’t really know. The names of the characters just seem to pop into my head! I do try and avoid using names of people I know when writing mean characters though.
5) Can you give us a hint to any sections that you removed?
I rewrote the whole of the second half of TRAPPED. The original conclusion just felt a little flat. The ending of the book is now far more dramatic!
6) What made you choose this genre?
I love horror and spent a long time reading Stephen King as a kid. In my older years though I find I’m a little more jumpy so middle grade horror is a perfect genre for me.
7) How long did it take you to complete your book?
I started writing TRAPPED in 2015 and it was published in 2023. So you do the maths!
8) Can you describe your book in three words?
Spooky, tense but heartwarming (sorry I know that’s four!)
9) What’s the hardest part of being a writer?
Perseverance in the face of adversity. It’s hard work and not everyone will like what you write. But you have to pick yourself up and continue regardless.
10) Why should our readers pick your book up?
TRAPPED is a multi-themed story and an action packed roller coaster ride. At its heart it’s about dealing with grief so have your tissues at the ready. But it’s also about school, friendships and the magic of a first crush. And of course it’s also about ghosts, hauntings and creaky old buildings that will keep you turning the pages way past your bedtime!
Publisher – Burton Mayers Books
Pages – 220
Release Date – 12th May 2023
ISBN 13 – 978-1739630942
Format – ebook, paperback
Synopsis
Jess’s brother Daniel is dead, and her dad is gone. And it’s all her fault.
Jess’s world continues to tumble around her when her mum moves them both to Clanderra Hall to take a housekeeping job. Here, Jess encounters the formidable Mrs. Sharpe and her list of rules: Be quiet, stay away, and definitely don’t go into the attic. As the house reveals its secrets, Jess meets the other residents of Clanderra Hall… residents that not everyone can see.
Soon Jess finds herself at the mercy of Millie, trapped forever as the ghost of a young girl. Sensing Jess’s despair, Millie becomes desperate for Jess to join her and will go to any lengths for the two of them to be together. Forever.
Realising the danger she is in, Jess must find a way to forgive herself and to help free Millie before she is trapped for eternity too.
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Fun Questions
1) Do you have a writing buddy (i.e. a pet)?
My two rabbits Jet and Oreo often like to come and give me a helping hand when I write (they are good readers too!)
2) Do you have any writing quirks?
Not really. I am a terrible procrastinator and so it sometimes can take me several ‘sit downs’ to actually write anything! I do like lots of cups of tea, snacks and breaks to keep me going. No wonder it takes me so long to finish anything!
3) Where do you write?
On my kitchen breakfast bar. I do have a desk but just prefer it in the kitchen – easier to get snacks!
4) Your book has been made into a movie, you’ve been offered a cameo role, what will you be doing?
I’d play one of the hair-flicking mean girls Jess encounters in the café on her solo trip to town. I’ve always wanted to play a villain!
5) A talking owl has just finished reading your book, what’s the first thing he says to you?
‘But what happened to the kittens??’
Author links
Goodreads
Website
A big thank you to Siân Mole for sharing her writing life with us and for a wonderful interview.
