Interview with Simon carr
Author of Goblin Queen
satirical science fiction writer from Blackburn in the north of England.
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How would you describe Goblin Queen to a new reader?
- it's a fun silly romp through a fantasy world, very light hearted and silly.
What was the inspiration behind Goblin Queen?
- the goblin queen was an idea me and my partner, Siobhan Richards came up with in a writing class about seven years ago, she passed away in 2017, she was book crazy, so I really wanted to write somthing she was involved in so I could put her photo on a book, she hated the fact lead women were always a bit wet and stary eyed, always needing a romantic angle and just an accessory to the male characters, as do I, so we came up with a female lead who was just what we wanted to see in a female lead, and not what you are supposed to have or what we always have had in female leads.
Which authors do you admire? How have they influenced your writing style?
- Douglas Adams, the hitchhiker's guide to the galaxy is my favourite book and a huge source of inspiration.
Can you tell us a little about the locations in your book?
- it takes place in the mountains of a meadevil type world filled with mythical creatures.
What advice would you give to aspiring authors?
- my advice would be to just keep writing, dont get discouraged by anything or anyone, just keep going dont wait for success or approval, just keep going like a juggernaut and your writing will eventually find its readers.
What's your writing process?
- relentless, I usually start my next book before I even get my current one back from the editor, I write whenever I get the chance, usually during the day when my kids are at school.
Which character in Goblin Queen has had the greatest impact on readers?
- theres lots of bit part characters that are very popular, but I think its Rangalan herself people like the most.
If Goblin Queen were to be adapted for TV or film, who would you see in the lead role? Who did you have in your mind’s eye when you wrote him/her?
- when I wrote it, i kept seeing Rangalan in my mind as, Nia Jax, the wrestler in wwe.
How have readers responded to Goblin Queen?
- well, the few I've had feedback from loved it and think it's my funniest book so far.
Where next? What are you working on now?
- for the first time since I started writing I have took a little break, I'm going to start my next book in October, it's either going to be a follow up to my book, Our Fathers, or I've had an idea for a book that's very diffrent from anything I have already done, I want my main character to have Asperger's syndrome, as I have Asperger's and can think of a thousand funny situations I have been through with it, but obviously the sci-fi will be present too, the working title I have for that one is , Aspie Alan orders a sandwich, and saves the world, I might even try writing them both at the same time, alternating between them, I'll see.
