Fabulous and Fun would like to introduce this talented author.  Her new book As Cold As Thorns is amazing. It is a recommended read. This book has a great story, great characters and beautiful artwork.

Why did you decide to become a writer?

It was very much by accident. I have always dreamed about being an artist/illustrator ad have always felt as such since I can remember. I never wanted to become a writer, I didn’t even like to write to start with! But in 2012 I had the idea to write a short story – because as an illustrator, I have many stories in my mind. So I wrote “The XIIIth Hour at Duskland”, which a few months later became the first chapter for The Night of Elisa. I just asked myself ‘why not publish and see what happens?’. It was for the sake of fun… And then… I couldn’t stop writing anymore.

Who/what are your writing inspirations?

I like classic writers, they are those I look up to, such as Bram Stoker, Mary Shelley, Charles Dickens, Brothers Grimm, Victor Hugo. I am a fan of guys like that.

What are your favorite genres to read?

Fairytales, Gothic and Dark Fiction, Fantasy, Horror and the like.

Favorite writing food / snack?

Coffee and chocolate. Unfortunately I can only drink decaffeinated and eat white chocolate, and in very small amounts, due to a health condition called histamine intolerance.

What do you hope readers take away most from your writing?

I hope people can experience “the different”, enjoy themselves in the dark side, get to know characters that are outsiders or eccentric and nonetheless, get in touch with art. That’s also why my books are illustrated, so readers can have access to both an entertaining story as well as art, hopefully at an affordable price.

Who’s the favorite character of yours that you’ve written and why?

I think I am pretty much in love with Henrique, lead in As Cold As Thorns. He is going through a dark journey, leading him to do things which hurt others, but also himself. Henrique is a heightened example of us humans, always doing mistakes and things that complicates both our own lives and others’. I love his artistic mind and stubbornness as well as perseverance. But readers will mostly see his dark side (in book 1) before they can see him for who he really is (by the end of book 2.)

What is your writing style? Outliner/Planner or Seat of the Pantser?

I have a general/vague idea of what the story should be about. I outline a little bit, but mostly end up changing! I like to experiment with ideas before I write them, and I like to think about lose scenes and dialogues months before I add them to the story – and normally take a year or more thinking about the characters and random details before writing anything down. A very chaotic process. So, I don’t know how to classify it! 😛

If someone wanted to become a writer, what tips would you give to them?

Read books and watch good stories as films/series and analyse them in terms of characters, dialogues, structure, momentum, etc. Write what you would love to read. Write things you can be passionate about – not what is popular at the market. Be authentic. I believe those to be good principles…

Have you ever purchased something from a late-night infomercial? If so, what?

Hm… nope! 😛 I hardly – buy anything I see in a commercial/infomercial!

If you could collaborate with any other author(living, dead, or undead) who would that be and why?


Oh my, I’d ask Oscar Wilde to write Henrique’s dialogues for As Cold As Thorns and the Grimm brothers to write the fantasy world of book 2 (readers see just a little scene of it by the end of book 1) and the list would be long. I’d love to collaborate with classic writers on multiple projects 😀 One can dream!

If you weren’t a writer, what would you do?

I am not a writer – so I am already doing the other thing, which is, being an artist! 😀

Coke, Pepsi, or?
Couldn’t care less. None if possible.

What’s one thing people should know and/or don’t know about you?
If it was just one thing: I love art and I am passionate about what I do. Okay… that was two things! 😉

Is there a character that has the most “You” in them? Or the opposite of you?

Hm, I always balance my characters in a way that they all have a little bit of me in them as well as traits that are opposite of mine. Elisa in The Night of Elisa is always sick – that’s me, and she endured a lot of suffering before going to Duskland – totally not me. If something sucks, I end the story and move on. Henrique from As Cold As Thorns is obsessed with his craft – that’s me too, however, he is very cocky and arrogant, and I could never be that, not to his level. Eleanor, from Eleanor’s Gift has a dark side but is a good person (spoiler) – and I’d like to think I am like her, too, except the supernatural part! And the list goes on…

If we lived in a Fahrenheit 451 culture, which book would you want to memorize?

I had to google the term to understand the concept. Very interesting – but only in fiction. In real life, the burning of books – as it has happened different times through History is a true nightmare! I think I’d memorise many art books, leadership books and classic fiction. I’d literally become a human book database I think, because I’d be unable to choose just one title.

Has anyone written a fan fiction based on your work?

Hm, not yet… I don’t have many fans, I think 😛 hehe

Have you used Beta Readers? If so, what did you think of your experience and would you recommend it to other authors?

I have worked with beta readers for the first time on my most recent work, As Cold As Thorns and am going to work with a second group for book 2 as well. It was a brilliant experience, because, not only I got in touch with great people, but their feedback helped to know what worked well in the manuscript as well as common questions readers could make while reading the story. Their feedback also helped me to polish some details in the work and raise questions as a writer and think about ways of solving them. So, I would very much recommend for authors out there to try working with betas, they can be your super team! 🙂

And last but not least, many thanks for the opportunity and it was a pleasure taking this interview! Big cheers!

You’re Welcome! 🙂 Thank you so much for taking the time to answer our questions.

Review: As Cold As ThornsAuthor: Isis Sousa
Title: As Cold As Thorns
Published On: Nov 28 2016
Pages: 348
My Rating:
five-stars

Purchase Links:


SYNOPSIS

~ A tale for adults - with beautiful illustrations.~

When lust and vanity consume a humble young soul, nothing is left but a faint flame in the darkness of the void.

The solace and contentment of Henrique's simple life as a small-town tailor's apprentice vanish when his ambitions turn him overnight into one of the most powerful and influential personalities in early-1800s Europe. His quick ascension to the upper echelons of the leading Iberian Empire reveals a man torn between the pure heart he once was, and the grim shade of what he has now become: a spirit obsessed with expensive material possessions and the urge to acquire the unattainable.

Henrique succumbs to the ever-growing desires and beguiling passions tormenting his mind, causing a rupture between reason and a desolate world of ice and snow where pain is the key to salvation.

Will he survive his encounter with the colossal emptiness and find the righteous path to lead him out of his agony?

Come and indulge yourself in this startling tale of coldness and wonder.


Rating Report
Plot
five-stars
Characters
five-stars
Writing
five-stars
Pacing
five-stars
Cover
five-stars
Overall: five-stars

Wow!
 
I really enjoyed reading this book. I love the surprises. This book has some awesome characters. I will look forward to reading more! So many WOW points in the story.