Ask the Author: Charis Cotter
Answered Questions (6)
Charis Cotter
Hi Quinley,
I have had a strange experience, and I wrote a story about it: "Alone on the Barrens" in my book "Screech: Ghost Stories from Old Newfoundland." I wouldn't mind having a ghostly experience, but I have to admit I'm a bit of a chicken in that department.
I have had a strange experience, and I wrote a story about it: "Alone on the Barrens" in my book "Screech: Ghost Stories from Old Newfoundland." I wouldn't mind having a ghostly experience, but I have to admit I'm a bit of a chicken in that department.
Charis Cotter
Hi Paittyn! I'm so happy you like my books.
I guess I get some of my ideas from my own childhood. Polly in The Swallow is a lot like me and her family is a lot like my family. And the house she lived in was like the one I lived in, behind a cemetery. The Painting and The Ghost Road are inspired by where I live in Newfoundland, and some of the old ghost stories I have heard. But mostly everything comes out of my imagination. I love walking by the ocean and daydreaming, and that's when I get lots of ideas for my books. I have a couple of new books out this fall: Screech! Ghost stories from Old Newfoundland and Footsteps in Bay de Verde. I think you might like Screech. In 2021 I have another novel coming out, The Dollhouse... you're bound to like that one. More spooky adventures.
I guess I get some of my ideas from my own childhood. Polly in The Swallow is a lot like me and her family is a lot like my family. And the house she lived in was like the one I lived in, behind a cemetery. The Painting and The Ghost Road are inspired by where I live in Newfoundland, and some of the old ghost stories I have heard. But mostly everything comes out of my imagination. I love walking by the ocean and daydreaming, and that's when I get lots of ideas for my books. I have a couple of new books out this fall: Screech! Ghost stories from Old Newfoundland and Footsteps in Bay de Verde. I think you might like Screech. In 2021 I have another novel coming out, The Dollhouse... you're bound to like that one. More spooky adventures.
Charis Cotter
Hi Citra! I'm so glad you enjoyed The Swallow.
I do believe in ghosts but I've never seen one. I think some people (like Rose) see them, and others (like me), don't. I have spoken to many people who have seen them and I believe them. I don't particularly want to see one myself. Too scary!
I do believe in ghosts but I've never seen one. I think some people (like Rose) see them, and others (like me), don't. I have spoken to many people who have seen them and I believe them. I don't particularly want to see one myself. Too scary!
Charis Cotter
Read. Write. Daydream. Reading all kinds of books helps you develop your writing skills. I particularly like murder mysteries, and I think that has helped me with plotting my novels. Writing anything at all is a good exercise for an aspiring writer. Daydreaming is a great way to get your imagination working.
Charis Cotter
I go for long walks and mull over ideas as I walk. I live beside the ocean, so all I have to do is walk out my door and I have a beautiful hike to the lighthouse on the point. When I lived in Toronto, I used to walk in the Riverdale Farm and the Necropolis Cemetery, and that's where I first made up the story of The Swallow: A Ghost Story. I find that walking unlocks something in my head and I have all kinds of wonderful ideas for writing books.
Charis Cotter
The idea for The Swallow: A Ghost Story came out of a few different experiences I had. When my daughter was little, she saw ghosts. She loved the idea of ghosts and read a lot of ghost books. Every Halloween we would plan an elaborate party to scare her friends. I grew up on a street behind the Necropolis Cemetery in Toronto, and my sister saw ghosts in the cemetery. I came from a big family with lots of foster children and my father was an Anglican priest. All these things fed into the story of The Swallow.
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