Ask the Author: Isla Jones
Answered Questions (5)
Isla Jones
Yes, and hopefully early this year! I'm working on it now, and it's more in vein of the Plague series. Apocalyptic (not post!) and survival themes. Check my website for updates on my progress with it. It's working title is "Survival", but that will change closer to publication. :)
Klarissa King will soon become the pen-name that aligns with Isla Jones, and publishes all of the fantasy work, and Isla will drift away from those themes, sticking with apocalyptic stories and horror.
Klarissa King will soon become the pen-name that aligns with Isla Jones, and publishes all of the fantasy work, and Isla will drift away from those themes, sticking with apocalyptic stories and horror.
Isla Jones
This is the review you're referring to?
"What threw me off was the fact that the Winter lived in the US but wrote in her diary entries/the book was written as if she were from England or Australia. Stuff life tyres instead of tires, petrol instead of gas, etc. I got used to it because the story was interesting."
I actually liked that review for a particular reason. I understand the comment, it can be jarring to read a version of English different to your own. Once, I bought a copy of Harry Potter (1) from online and I wanted to burn it. It was so difficult to read, not only due to the spelling differences (mold instead of mould, etc), but the damn change to 'Sorcerer' from 'Philosopher' irked me in a way I hadn't anticipated. I've lived in America, Australia, UK, France, etc, so I'm used to language shifts and can usually transition after a short period (other than the whole Harry Potter fiasco).
But!!!
A big but here!!
Do you remember in the chapter after Winter leaves the department store, she mentions Summer's time in England?
Winter's shift between those two versions of English is (in this case) intentional. She uses both 'petrol' and 'gas', 'RV' and 'caravan', and so on. It's indicative of how she idolises--or 'idolizes' ;)-- her older sister, and in a way tries to slip into the person she sees Summer as. This is a major hint of things to come in Winter Storm.
I won't say any more, but hopefully that clears it up a bit and gives some insight into the 'unreliable narrator' that is Winter, especially when it comes to her glowing perception of Summer.
;) Isla
"What threw me off was the fact that the Winter lived in the US but wrote in her diary entries/the book was written as if she were from England or Australia. Stuff life tyres instead of tires, petrol instead of gas, etc. I got used to it because the story was interesting."
I actually liked that review for a particular reason. I understand the comment, it can be jarring to read a version of English different to your own. Once, I bought a copy of Harry Potter (1) from online and I wanted to burn it. It was so difficult to read, not only due to the spelling differences (mold instead of mould, etc), but the damn change to 'Sorcerer' from 'Philosopher' irked me in a way I hadn't anticipated. I've lived in America, Australia, UK, France, etc, so I'm used to language shifts and can usually transition after a short period (other than the whole Harry Potter fiasco).
But!!!
A big but here!!
Do you remember in the chapter after Winter leaves the department store, she mentions Summer's time in England?
Winter's shift between those two versions of English is (in this case) intentional. She uses both 'petrol' and 'gas', 'RV' and 'caravan', and so on. It's indicative of how she idolises--or 'idolizes' ;)-- her older sister, and in a way tries to slip into the person she sees Summer as. This is a major hint of things to come in Winter Storm.
I won't say any more, but hopefully that clears it up a bit and gives some insight into the 'unreliable narrator' that is Winter, especially when it comes to her glowing perception of Summer.
;) Isla
Isla Jones
I've always wanted to try my hand at them, but twist them into darker tales from where they originated--though, not Brother's Grimm dark.
Red Riding Hood: the first to be released, and focuses on Red as a social pariah in her village for what they believe to be 'witchcraft', yet at night, villagers flock to her for remedies banned by the Priest. Insert 'the hunter', a proud hunter who Red finds herself at odds with, and the return of the Wolf. That's all I can say at the moment; I haven't fleshed everything out yet, and the summary needs massive work.
Alice in Wonderland: Without Alice. No relations to her, no insane asylums or the usual tropes. This is finished, but still in early draft stages and I'm hesitant to give away to much at this stage.
Beauty and the Beast: The same overall base-plot, but set in faerieland and without redemption.
Four Horsemen: Pestilence, whose friends call her Pessie, is woken to bring about the end of the world. But before she can conjure up her deadliest plague yet, she must find the newest Horseman, War, and bring him to their commander, Famine. All the while, she must forget the once-human side of her that Death first fell in love with, and who he is determined to bring back within her.
These are the ones in progress at the moment. Some are written, others only half-so. But they'll be under the series name, 'Twisted Tales' soon!
Red Riding Hood: the first to be released, and focuses on Red as a social pariah in her village for what they believe to be 'witchcraft', yet at night, villagers flock to her for remedies banned by the Priest. Insert 'the hunter', a proud hunter who Red finds herself at odds with, and the return of the Wolf. That's all I can say at the moment; I haven't fleshed everything out yet, and the summary needs massive work.
Alice in Wonderland: Without Alice. No relations to her, no insane asylums or the usual tropes. This is finished, but still in early draft stages and I'm hesitant to give away to much at this stage.
Beauty and the Beast: The same overall base-plot, but set in faerieland and without redemption.
Four Horsemen: Pestilence, whose friends call her Pessie, is woken to bring about the end of the world. But before she can conjure up her deadliest plague yet, she must find the newest Horseman, War, and bring him to their commander, Famine. All the while, she must forget the once-human side of her that Death first fell in love with, and who he is determined to bring back within her.
These are the ones in progress at the moment. Some are written, others only half-so. But they'll be under the series name, 'Twisted Tales' soon!
Isla Jones
Soon-ish... That's the best I can confirm for now. It's in the final stages of edits, but my mind has drifted to other stories and I just can't seem to fall back in with Winter and the others at the moment. I try not to force myself to write when I face blocks in the story, otherwise the writing comes out all muddled and stiff. I've put it to the side right now and am working on something else, and when that's done, I should be able to return to finish up Winter's story.
It will definitely be out this year is all I can say.
Witches in Belle-Vue didn't catch much of an interest, so I've put that to the side for now, too. At the moment, I'm working on a series of fairy tale re-imaginings, but on the dark side. They will be short anthologies and our beloved zombies will make an appearance in one!
The first in the series is a Red Riding Hood re-telling...Cover reveal for that soon.
:) -IslaJ
It will definitely be out this year is all I can say.
Witches in Belle-Vue didn't catch much of an interest, so I've put that to the side for now, too. At the moment, I'm working on a series of fairy tale re-imaginings, but on the dark side. They will be short anthologies and our beloved zombies will make an appearance in one!
The first in the series is a Red Riding Hood re-telling...Cover reveal for that soon.
:) -IslaJ
Isla Jones
Hi Tasha,
Glad you're so excited for it! The first draft is underway, so depending on how quickly I work through the drafts, maybe July this year? I'm hoping to release it within the next few months to focus on another new series. :) Thank you,
IJ
Glad you're so excited for it! The first draft is underway, so depending on how quickly I work through the drafts, maybe July this year? I'm hoping to release it within the next few months to focus on another new series. :) Thank you,
IJ
About Goodreads Q&A
Ask and answer questions about books!
You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.
See Featured Authors Answering Questions
Learn more