Sunday 21 February 2010

Author Interview: Rook Hastings

Rook Hastings, the author of Nearly departed, kindly took the time to answer a few of my questions.

Nearly Departed
From Goodreads: "I've seen a ghost," said Emily. "Well, not seen one exactly. Heard one. At least, I think I have!" Everything has a rational explanation. Unless it doesn't. Welcome to Weirdsville... Woodsville is not like other towns. Night falls a little earlier there, the shadows are darker and denser, and everyone knows it's a place where strange things happen. Even if they won't admit it. Bethan would prefer to be anywhere but here. Jay has his theories, but isn't ready to share. Hashim sees more than he'll say, while Kelly's demons are all too flesh and blood. But Emily's freak-out brings them out of denial and face to face with the supernatural. Anywhere else, Friday night would be date night. But not in Weirdsville!


What inspired you to write Nearly Departed?
I just love ghost stories, horror films - and I love being scared! I love ghosts and the paranormal.

Is this a subject that really interests you?
Yes, I am so interested in it - I really do think that something is left behind when we leave our physical bodies - and there are places that are just full of atmosphere - of the leftover lives of the people that have lived there. I love old houses, and buildings - sometimes you can almost hear the people that stood there once still moving and talking all around you.

And have you ever seen a ghost yourself?
Yes, when I was a student I lived in a house haunted by a recently deceased student - one afternoon I was looking out of the window when i saw a pale, hollow eyed face of a girl looking back at me - i would have been scared anyway - but my room was on the second floor.... I've also been haunted by a cat and a friendly ghost who let the tires down on my friends bike when I laddered my tights on its pedals. I loved hearing about all the paranormal investigation equipment and mythology.

What kind of research did you do for the novel?
Quite a lot, I spoke to some paranormal investigators, read a lot and spent a long time on the web - I found some pretty amazing and inexplicable things that really spooked me.

I loved all the characters but I think Jay was my favourite. Do you have a favourite character? Or one you relate to more?
I like Jay too - but I think Kelly is my favourite - she seems to be one kind of person - tough, selfish, a bully - but really she is hiding a lot of pain and complexity. As the story continues she really comes through. All of the characters are going to find out more about themselves and what they are capable of.

I love the cover for Nearly Departed –it’s really creepy. What did you think about it when you first saw it?
I loved it! I couldn't imagine how they would sum up the book in an image - and they did it straight away. I've looked at a lot of covers recently and I think mine is the best.

I’m really looking forward to the next in the series. Can you tell us more about it?
I can't tell you too much, I don't want to spoil it for people who haven't read Nearly Departed yet - but there are answers in the next books to some of the mysteries in book one, and a lot more scariness, danger, twists and adventure.


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Thanks Rook! The next book sounds fantastic and I can't wait! Nearly Departed is available to buy now and you can read my review here.

7 comments:

Luisa at Chicklish said...

This is a great spooky interview! Thanks, both of you.

Vicki said...

Great interview. I have nearly departed, think I'm going to read it next after reading so many fab things about it today!

Sarah said...

Great interview :o) I really enjoyed reading Nearly Departed!

So Many Books, So Little Time said...

Now I'm looking forward to reading Nearly Departed even more! Thanks for the interview!

Tales of Whimsy said...

I LOVE this cover. So haunting and alluring.

Unknown said...

Now I am even more scared to read this book than I was before. Rook has seen a ghost. How am I not going to have nightmares when I read this? Great questions!

Nina said...

OMG seeing a ghost? That would totally freak me out. Great interview!!

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