Ask the Author: Sarah Dalton
Answered Questions (7)
Sarah Dalton
Hi Harley,
Wow, a report. That's exciting! You'll have to let me know how it turns out. :)
My Daylight Monsters was only supposed to be a short story. It was based on an idea I'd had for a while. I've been a fan of Gothic literature for many years, and one huge aspect of Gothic literature is the setting. Usually, the settings for these books are in large, imposing and grand buildings like Dracula's castle. But I wanted to explore the modern equivalent of that imposing building, and to me, that's a hospital.
I was working in a hospital for a few months, and I absolutely hate them. I hate the smell, I hate the lights. They make me feel really uncomfortable and anxious (which is why I only worked there for a few months!!). So I wanted to explore the idea of a spooky story set in a modern hospital, and explore the terrifying idea that the people who are supposed to care for us are actually trying to hurt us instead.
My Daylight Monsters was supposed to be where it stopped, but I found myself leaving the ending open, and when I wrote that, I knew that it wasn't over. I keep coming back to Mary as a character because she overcame her fears in the first book, and I just love writing her.
Significance... well, the main themes that stand out for me are to do with control. Relinquishing control to doctors and nurses. Putting your life in their hands. Also death and mental illness and how we deal with them.
If you want to get in touch to ask any more questions, just let me know!
Wow, a report. That's exciting! You'll have to let me know how it turns out. :)
My Daylight Monsters was only supposed to be a short story. It was based on an idea I'd had for a while. I've been a fan of Gothic literature for many years, and one huge aspect of Gothic literature is the setting. Usually, the settings for these books are in large, imposing and grand buildings like Dracula's castle. But I wanted to explore the modern equivalent of that imposing building, and to me, that's a hospital.
I was working in a hospital for a few months, and I absolutely hate them. I hate the smell, I hate the lights. They make me feel really uncomfortable and anxious (which is why I only worked there for a few months!!). So I wanted to explore the idea of a spooky story set in a modern hospital, and explore the terrifying idea that the people who are supposed to care for us are actually trying to hurt us instead.
My Daylight Monsters was supposed to be where it stopped, but I found myself leaving the ending open, and when I wrote that, I knew that it wasn't over. I keep coming back to Mary as a character because she overcame her fears in the first book, and I just love writing her.
Significance... well, the main themes that stand out for me are to do with control. Relinquishing control to doctors and nurses. Putting your life in their hands. Also death and mental illness and how we deal with them.
If you want to get in touch to ask any more questions, just let me know!
Sarah Dalton
Thank you so much, Jeanette! It means so much to hear from people who enjoyed the books. :)
Sarah Dalton
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Sarah Dalton
Hi Lorena,
Good question! It does get a little confusing. I'll be putting a guide at the beginning of each book in the series.
Only two books are published right now, but there are two short stories coming out in the next few months. I'm also writing the first draft of a novel in the series as well.
Prequel - My Daylight Monsters
First Novel - Mary Hades
Short Story - Shadow (featured in an anthology and due to be published in the next few months - I'll put more details about this on my blog when it's done)
Short Story - Sister (as yet unpublished)
Second Novel - Possess (as yet unpublished)
Third Novel - Nocturnes (as yet unpublished)
That's as far as I've got in terms of planning. There will be some more novels and probably a few novellas as well.
Hope that helps!
Sarah
Good question! It does get a little confusing. I'll be putting a guide at the beginning of each book in the series.
Only two books are published right now, but there are two short stories coming out in the next few months. I'm also writing the first draft of a novel in the series as well.
Prequel - My Daylight Monsters
First Novel - Mary Hades
Short Story - Shadow (featured in an anthology and due to be published in the next few months - I'll put more details about this on my blog when it's done)
Short Story - Sister (as yet unpublished)
Second Novel - Possess (as yet unpublished)
Third Novel - Nocturnes (as yet unpublished)
That's as far as I've got in terms of planning. There will be some more novels and probably a few novellas as well.
Hope that helps!
Sarah
Sarah Dalton
Read books from all over. Read whatever you feel like reading and then read what you feel you 'should' be reading.
Begin by writing whatever you feel like, and work up to writing the book you want to read. When you're ready share your work and encourage criticism. Learn to embrace criticism and trust your instincts when it comes to what advice to take.
Begin by writing whatever you feel like, and work up to writing the book you want to read. When you're ready share your work and encourage criticism. Learn to embrace criticism and trust your instincts when it comes to what advice to take.
Sarah Dalton
Freedom.
But with it comes the responsibility. I have to stand on my own two feet as a writer. I have to be in charge of my own destiny. It's scary, but also a powerful feeling.
But with it comes the responsibility. I have to stand on my own two feet as a writer. I have to be in charge of my own destiny. It's scary, but also a powerful feeling.
Sarah Dalton
Read books and take a break. Then I re-read whatever it is I've been working on. That usually does the trick.
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