Hi Clare, it's so great to have you here and to be a part of your new book tour! I'm looking forward to learning more about you and your latest release, THE STARS IN THE NIGHT - let's kick things off with my questions...
1.)
What is the strangest talent you have?
Great question! I have an
uncanny ability with dogs. Most dogs will come to me when I call them. I’m regularly
found rescuing strays, ringing the numbers on their collar tags, or taking
escapees home until we find a safe solution – as soon as we can because my own
dog is a decided one-dog-one-home creature.
2.)
What is the best Halloween costume you’ve ever
worn?
Ah, well, we don’t do
Halloween very much in Australia, though it is growing. I haven’t ever worn a
costume, though I have hung a string of apple-shaped lights along my verandah
to welcome the neighbour’s children.
3.)
Are the titles of your books important?
Titles are crucial, I think.
I’m lucky that I have so far been able to choose my own. Sometimes it takes a
while, and I can always do with help, so I usually sound out a few with my best
buddy beta readers. I think titles are equally as important as covers … and I
love my covers!
4.)
If you’re struggling with a scene or difficult
character, what methods help you through it?
If it’s a ticklish customer,
my best knot-breaker is to write a bit from that character’s perspective, in
their voice. I find truly evil characters a challenge, because I just want to
yell at them. Death scenes can be quite horrid to write, especially if I’m
feeling down. For that, I go for a long walk with the dog to help me calm down.
Dogs rock.
5.)
Do you prefer dog, cats or none of the above?
My earlier answers probably
give you a clue! I’m a confirmed dog-companion, but I also love cats – I have a
children’s book about magic cats in the mix too. My sci-fi books include many
intelligent animals and cross-species communication. However if you force me to
choose, it’s dog every time.
6.)
Who’s your favourite author? Why?
This changes over time, of
course. As a child I loved Geoffrey Treece, Mary Grant Bruce and Rosemary
Sutcliffe. My long-time go-to favourites are Mary Renault, Georgette Heyer, and
Robin Hobb. I’ve recently discovered Emily St John Mandel and Becky Chambers
and stand in awe of their work. I think the common links are strong storylines,
engaging characters that I care about, and no trickery even though there may be
puzzles for the reader.
7.)
Do you have a pet peeve?
I’m working hard on dialling
down my annoyance-triggers, and so far it’s having a good effect. Little things
don’t peeve me so much, but I can become very boring on the subject of man’s
inhumanity to man, especially refugees, and the exploitation of animals for
profit. That said, don’t start me on people who leave tissues in their pockets
in the washing!
8.)
Do you remember your dreams when you wake up in
the morning?
Yes! My best ideas come
directly from dreams. In fact, I keep a pen and some paper on my bedside table
so I can write a few words as soon as I wake – sometimes that’s in the middle
of the night so I have developed a way of writing in the dark. True! Just a
word or two helps recall the entire scene or even plot. It’s like magic and I
don’t question it too much. I am very grateful for my subconscious writing
buddy!
Thank you so much for having
me. I’ve really enjoyed your questions, Rachel.
“Harry
Fletcher is a confident young man, sure that he will marry Nora, no matter what
their families say. He will always protect Eddie, the boy his father saved from
the gutters of Port Adelaide.
Only the War to End All Wars might get in the way of Harry’s
plans…
From the beaches of Semaphore to the shores of Gallipoli, the mud
of Flanders to the red dust of inland South Australia, this is a story of love,
brotherhood, and resilience.”
Purchase
Links:
Author Bio
–
Clare Rhoden writes historical fiction, sci-fi and fantasy (check
her titles at Odyssey Books http://odysseybooks.com.au/).
Clare lives in Melbourne Australia with her husband Bill, their
super-intelligent poodle-cross Aeryn, a huge and charming parliament of visiting
magpies, and a very demanding/addictive garden space.Clare completed her PhD in Australian WWI literature at the University of Melbourne in 2011, and a Masters of Creative Writing in 2008, in which she investigated the history of her grandparents who emigrated for Europe to Port Adelaide in January 1914. The Stars in the Night is the result of her research.
Social
Media Links –
Website: https://clarerhoden.com/
Instagram:
@clarerhodenauthor
Twitter: @ClareER
Giveaway
to Win a signed copy of The Stars
in the Night, a metal poppy brooch made by a Melbourne craftswoman, and a
cross-stitch poppy card. (Open Internationally)
*Terms and Conditions –Worldwide entries welcome. Please enter using
the Rafflecopter box below. The winner will be selected at random via
Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or
email. If no response is received within 7 days then Rachel’s Random Resources
reserves the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged
18 or over. Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is
used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the
exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway
organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s
Random Resources will delete the data. I am not responsible for
despatch or delivery of the prize.
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