Ask the Author: Rachel Stanley
Answered Questions (6)
Rachel Stanley
Hi Donna, thanks for the question, it's a really good one. And I have a soft spot for Blake too, he's damaged goods but he's learning to be a better 'person'.
I've said in the past that I actually dreamt up one of the first scenes you read in A Grim Affair, the one at the very beginning of the book where Blake is stood watching someone with a 50:50 chance of dying to see what happens. I always knew that he was the Grim Reaper but when I eventually started writing the book, I didn't want to refer to him as such. And Death just felt a bit too blunt.
The more I thought about Blake's role, the more I realised that a part of what he does is to keep souls safe until they can be passed onto the next generation ergo 'Keeper of Souls'. Some of what Blake does (or can do!) doesn't get revealed until the second book in the series (he has a much bigger role than just keeping souls safe!) but by the time I'd worked that out his title was already stuck in my head.
And actually calling him the Keeper of Souls instead of the Grim Reaper has proven to be a good move, it's great when Blake complains about being referred to as the Grim Reaper and it's going to become important in last book in the series.
Thanks for posting a question! Take care of yourself, Rachel
I've said in the past that I actually dreamt up one of the first scenes you read in A Grim Affair, the one at the very beginning of the book where Blake is stood watching someone with a 50:50 chance of dying to see what happens. I always knew that he was the Grim Reaper but when I eventually started writing the book, I didn't want to refer to him as such. And Death just felt a bit too blunt.
The more I thought about Blake's role, the more I realised that a part of what he does is to keep souls safe until they can be passed onto the next generation ergo 'Keeper of Souls'. Some of what Blake does (or can do!) doesn't get revealed until the second book in the series (he has a much bigger role than just keeping souls safe!) but by the time I'd worked that out his title was already stuck in my head.
And actually calling him the Keeper of Souls instead of the Grim Reaper has proven to be a good move, it's great when Blake complains about being referred to as the Grim Reaper and it's going to become important in last book in the series.
Thanks for posting a question! Take care of yourself, Rachel
Rachel Stanley
Just go for it! I spent years waiting for the right time to write the stories that were in my head. And actually I only put pen to paper when I was so busy in my day job that I didn't really have time. What I've learned since writing my first novel is that the best way to write a novel is to sit down and write a novel.
Rachel Stanley
I am a HUGE David Eddings fan so if I could travel to any fictional world I would be off to the Riva in a heartbeat to meet Belgarion. I was lent The Belgariad and The Mallorean when I was eight or nine years old and I've read them at least once a year since then. The lad that lent me those books never did get them back because I wore them out! Don't worry, I eventually replaced them for him with a whole new set.
Rachel Stanley
I have quite a varied summer reading list this year actually. I recently bought Stephen King's 'On Writing' because I've read some good reviews about it and wondered if it might help me with my own writing. I'm also looking to read as many indie author books as possible while also slotting in one or two of my favourites (for instance there is a new Jim Butcher out). I try not to read too much when I'm writing though because I find I get so wrapped up in what I'm reading that I 'forget' to write and at the minute I'm working on part two of my A Grim series (A Grim Haunt). However, when the sun shines it would be rude not to sit outside and enjoy it so I'm sure I'll get through one or two. Check out my "to read" list if you want to see what I've decided to try based on your reviews.
Rachel Stanley
What a great question! If you've read A Grim Affair (which is both my most recent and my first published book) you'll have read through a scene at the very beginning of the book where Blake (aka the Grim Reaper) is stood watching someone with a 50:50 chance of dying to see what happens. I actually dreamt about this scene and couldn't get it out of my head. A Grim Affair exists today because of that dream, I kept puzzling over who Blake was and how he had ended up in that restaurant and what else would happen in his life. To be honest, when I started writing I was writing as a way to get those ideas out of my head. Actually all I did though was fall deeper into the world. I didn't even have a clear sense of the rest of the story when I started writing but three years later and A Grim Affair was finished. I don't anticipate A Grim Haunt taking me quite so long to finish!
Rachel Stanley
I am currently working on book 2 of my "A Grim" series. I published book 1 - A Grim Affair - in April 2020 and am hoping to get book 2 out before the end of the year. I'd like to say within 3 months but I don't want to rush book 2 and end up doing it an injustice.
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