I had the opportunity to interview author Arthur Slade over email. We talked about the writing process and his recent series, The Hunchback Assignments.
Q: What inspired you to become an author?
A: I was always a voracious reader so it seemed natural to begin writing stories. When I was sixteen I received 100% on a short story project I handed in for class. That really got me thinking about writing more and about eventually writing full time.
Q: What's your workflow like for a new project? Do you prefer laying down a plotline first, or are you the type who has a general idea of where the story should go and you let the characters decide?
A: My workflow is very much out of the top of my head. I don't plot out my novels, though I do have an "idea" page where I will write down things that I think will happen later in the novel. I literally start writing the first chapter and let the story unfold from there. That said I usually have an idea about how the story will end by the time I've written the first few chapters.
Q: Have you ever had a nightmarish revision experience (as in, having to toss out a considerable amount of pages or rewrite whole sections)?
A: Yes. With my novel Jolted I had three major rewrites before I finally found the tone and the characters that were right for the story.
Q: How "dark" are you as an author? Do you have a morbid streak or do you prefer the lighter side of things?
A: I think my writing can be very dark at times. But I also like to laugh. So I try and combine both at once.
Q: Let's talk about The Hunchback Assignments. Why did you choose steampunk?
A: I didn't necessarily choose steampunk. Instead I started writing a Victorian spy series that, almost immediately began to have some interesting gadgets and machines that weren't from the real world. From there the book started to become more and more steampunkish.
Q: I've always been curious about Modo's character design. Why did you choose his physical appearance?
A: Modo really is inspired by the original Hunchback of Notre Dame. In many ways I'm imagining what that hunchback's life was like when he was younger. Especially his appearance. I liked the idea of having a hero that wasn't beautiful and perfect, who instead was ugly...at least to the outside world.
Q: How do you decide on the locations for Modo and Octavia's adventures?
A: The locations are mostly me just looking at the map of the British Empire in Victorian times and wondering where I should send them next.
Q: If The Hunchback Assignments were to be adapted into a film, who would you want to be in charge of the project?
A: Hmmm. Well, if I had to choose anyone it would be Peter Jackson, who directed The Lord of the Rings. He did an excellent job with that.
Thank you, Arthur, for letting me interview you!
