Ask the Author: Natali Grayling
Answered Questions (7)
Natali Grayling
I like to read a little bit of everything but if I have to pick one genre it is mystery/thriller. I love the suspense. I love "Ah!" and "Oh no..." moments, anticipation, and expecting the unexpected. Thrillers have got a lot more exciting since I began to write fiction. I get this V.I.P. feeling: following the characters everywhere with a "STAFF" card hanging from my neck and inspecting every piece of dialogue for clues. Like Patrick Jane in The Mentalist! Or Castle!
I feel really smart when I can guess the ending of the "whodunit", and a book that makes me feel smarter is sometimes better than a book that makes me smarter. The illusion is always more attractive :)
I feel really smart when I can guess the ending of the "whodunit", and a book that makes me feel smarter is sometimes better than a book that makes me smarter. The illusion is always more attractive :)
Natali Grayling
There are a number of things I could list which contributed to the idea. Perhaps the most obvious one is my love for Jack London's famous dog-hero from The Call of the Wild. It's no secret that Aaron Park is Buck in a human suit, except Aaron wasn't taken, he ran away from the comfortably numb, warm, sunny California to find a more fulfilling life in the North.
Natali Grayling
I sometimes think that if I lived in a really inspiring environment, I wouldn't ever write anything. I like to live in the moment when there is a moment worth living in. (Un-)fortunately, my life is really boring, so when I want to sit down to write, all I need is a mug of coffee made from freshly ground beans (the grinding sound flips a switch in my brain - it's my thing). I sit down with my laptop and turn some music on. I have created playlists on both Spotify and YouTube for each books in the series I'm working on. Music works as a bridge between reality and my little fictional world, and it never fails. Music is key.
Natali Grayling
I'm writing the sequel to my debut novel, #alaska. The non-final title is #california as most of it is set in Los Angeles. It's a completely different experience from the first one - it gets a little darker and I get to dig deeper into my characters' past, so it's both exciting and challenging. I love it how I can grow together with my protagonist, Léna, who goes from being a blogger to a published author. Whenever I sit down to continue with her life, I can't help but reflect on my own and it often feels like writing a journal full of wishful thinking. It is not a secret that she's my younger and braver alter-ego. This book might be the most emotionally exhausting work I've ever done. (EDIT: the title might not be #california)
Natali Grayling
My advice is simple: don't quit.
Natali Grayling
I've always wanted to teach, but I'm a lousy student. I don't like being told what to read/write. Through writing I can both teach and enjoy creative freedom. I believe real learning happens outside school buildings, and I am more than happy to share what I know with those who need it.
Natali Grayling
With excessive amounts of coffee combined with music and hiding in my book nook from distraction. It usually works.
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