3Q’s – Antonia Rachel Ward pulls the strings!

Hello, hello!!!

Welcome to a fun 3Q’s today! These have all been a blast haven’t they?

Today’s is no different!

Please welcome, Antonia Rachel Ward!

Steve: What does your writing time look like? Do you try to write at the same time each day? Do you have a word count you attempt to hit?

Ward: I usually try to write for at least an hour each day. I’m lucky that I’m in the position to arrange my own work schedule so I fit my writing into the day as and when it suits me. 500 words per day has always been my general rule of thumb, but with my current work-in-progress I’m trying a different approach of alternating writing and planning scenes, so some days are more about planning rather than actual writing. I think at times in the past I’ve focused too hard on hitting specific word counts, and I’ve worn myself out doing that and my writing has suffered as a result, so now I’m trying to pace myself and focus more on quality. Sometimes that means I don’t get a lot of new words written in a day, and that’s ok.

Steve: If you could write a story for another author’s fictional world/series, which would it be and why?

Ward: I’m not sure. I don’t think it’s something I’d particularly enjoy. I much prefer inventing my own worlds and characters, rather than trying to fit into something someone else has come up with. There are definitely authors whose work inspires me, though. With my current novel, I’m trying to capture something of the flavour of 19th century gothic novels like Dracula and Frankenstein.

Steve: Tell me about your newest release (novel/story/poem/novella) and why someone should read it!

Ward: My first novella, Marionette, is out 16th August. Set in fin de siècle Paris, it’s the story of an exotic dancer and ex-prostitute, Cece, who agrees to be the star of an erotic seance. But she becomes possessed by a lustful, vengeful ghost, and has to find a way to break the spell before she becomes lost in the afterlife. It’s supposed to be a bit of fun – plenty of sex and blood – but I also wanted to explore the way contemporary society viewed sexually available women as being dangerous or evil. Read it if you enjoy richly-described historical settings, gothic horror, and something that maybe subverts your expectations a little bit.

Steve: Bonus Question! Do you have a cherished book?

Ward: I have a couple of childhood favourites that I still keep on my shelf, one of which is The Snow Spider by Jenny Nimmo. It’s such a magical, bittersweet story, and Joanna Carey’s illustrations are beautiful and haunting. It’s a book that will always stay with me and is a huge inspiration of mine.

Awesomesauce!

Thank you so much for doing this!

To find out more info about Antonia click the links!

Website: https://antoniarachelward.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AntoniaRachelW1