Hi Cristelle:) Glad to have you here.
Thanks for having me, Aly.
Now, to start, what inspired you to write “Danse Macabre”?
I’ve always been impressed with ballerinas — they’re so graceful and talented. I wanted one of my story to have to do with ballet, and I’d been wanting to do a missing person story too… Killed two birds with one stone.
How would you describe the story to someone who hasn’t read it yet?
Well, Danse Macabre is part of a series — the Neve & Egan cases — but each book stands alone.
It features a pair of private investigators living London. In this book, they’re hired to find a missing Prima Ballerina. Neve is in her mid-twenties, though, but with a certain freshness and naivety underneath the surface, and Egan is a blind middle-aged guy with an attitude. Though they’re probably the worst assorted duo of PI ever to have walked along the Thames, they make it work and solve cases one sleepless night at a time.
Describe Neve and Egan in 3 words each.
For Neve, I would go with open-minded, headstrong, astute. And for Egan, though, vulnerable, smart.
What scene did you have the most fun writing? Why?
In this book, it was Egan’s breakdown in the park, and what follows. In the early drafts it was a bit longer, but I had to trim it down. I always enjoy large emotional scenes.
Why do you write crime fiction?
I’ve always enjoyed a good mystery — that’s what decided me to try and make a private detectives’ novel.
Do you listen to music while you write?
I never listen to songs with lyrics — because they’re too distracting — but I sometimes listen to instrumental pieces set at a low volume. It can help to set the mood for a particular scene.
Did you always want to be an author?
No, it just didn’t occur to me for a long time. I liked writing, but I never took it seriously until four years ago.
Does your family read your books?
Not many of them, no. I’ve made the choice to write in English, but my mother tongue is French. I only have one uncle who reads my books, and my mother’s boyfriend. I’ve translated the first book of the series in French (mostly for my mother’s benefit), but haven’t found the time to get the next ones done.
Can you tell me some of your favorite authors? How about books?
I’m a die hard fan of Jim Butcher; his Dresden Files books are my favorite. New authors that I’ve added to my top list are Brandon Sanderson and Patrick Rothfuss.
What are you currently working on?
The next book in the Neve & Egan series: Blind Chess. I’ve have about a quarter done 🙂
A few short answer questions:
Tea or coffee?
Hot cocoa.
Do you prefer the sea side or the mountains?
Sea side, definitely.
Sweet or salty?
Hard to choose… sweet, but it’s almost a tie.
Print or ebook?
Print. Or audiobook, I love those.
Movies or TV shows?
TV Shows, there’s more room for character development.
Originally posted @ Aly’s Miscellany