Interview with Gill James

Remember my review of YA science fiction novel The Prophecy awhile back?  Well, author Gill James was gracious enough to grant an interview with me!  Read my review here, and then enjoy her insights on The Prophecy, her writing schedule, and future books in the works!

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I loved the intercultural themes you explored in The Prophecy.  Could you tell us a little more about your inspiration for Kaleem's story?

I used to be a language teacher. I find learning people's language’s helps you to understand those people and communicate better with them. When that stops happening, we could be in trouble. (My oh my! The same year that Tony Blair took us into the war in Iraq the government stopped the learning of a language being obligatory. Double back-stabbing.)
So, we had to be some way in the future. I actually spent months thinking about the setting before I started writing. However, as I wrote, I realised that a young adult novel basically has to be about a young adult.  

What were your favorite scenes to write?  Were you partial to any characters in particular?

Obviously I like Kaleem. I liked the young Marijam very much as well. Abel and Menjit are a hoot. My favourite scenes to write were the ones which involved other worlds – the kitchen on Zandra for example. But the flashback scenes intrigued me. I’m not sure whose voce that was – they certainly weren’t written in my authorial voice.

Are there any stories, humorous or otherwise, behind the writing of The Prophecy?  What was your writing routine like?

My writing routine always is two hours or 2,000 words a day or revision of  6,000 – 20,000 words. Five days a week, including holidays – though if the truth be told, I’m always behind and use the holidays and weekends to catch up.  As I write this, I’m stuck in Cyprus because of the volcano in Iceland – and what great catch-up time- interspersed wit the odd swim or so.    

How and when did you first pick up a pen (or a typewriter or keyboard!) and start writing?  What advice would you give to writers who are just starting out, especially young writers?

I was nine. I’d run out of Famous Five stories so attempted to write my own. I didn’t start taking myself seriously though until 1997 and was first published in 2000.

Everybody who wants to get published will do so if they keep on trying. It’s a big “if”, though. You have to keep on writing – every day if possible. Your writing will improve. Reading a lot also helps. The other side of it is networking. Get out thee. Get yourself known in the right circles. Find out what is hapneing. Be tough about rejection and consider it feedback.   

I've heard we can hope to see a sequel to The Prophecy out soon.  Can you tell us anything more about that?  What characters and settings can we expect to see return?

The second volume is finished and with the editors. Kaleem is there again. Razjosh is there too but only a little. As much as before we have also Abel, Menjit, Pierre LaFontaine. There are a couple of new characters as well who have bigger roles.    

And I’m currently writing the third volume.

Do you have any writing plans beyond the Peace Child novels?  Do you think you'll stick with young adult literature and/or science fiction, or do you see yourself moving on?

I have three other young adult novels planned. Two are historical, one being fantasy at the same time and the third is contemporary.  I can’t actually see myself writing novels for adults though I am writing and getting published quite a few short stories for adults.

I actually perceive that a new demographic is appearing – don’t know what they’ll be called – but undergraduate / young professional age. Some of the students who were on my course, Writing novels for Young People, are beginning to write for this new age group. I may find that I do, too.   

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Thank you so much for your time, Gill!  I can’t wait to read more of your work!  Check out Gill's blog at www.gilljames.blogspot.com, as well as her website at www.gilljames.co.uk.