Thank you to Rhys Ford for answering some questions for me about the novel, Ink and Shadows. I can’t wait for more in this series.
1. Ink
and Shadows is listed as Book One. Will the other book(s) be about Kismet and
Mal, or will you focus on the remaining Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse?
and Shadows is listed as Book One. Will the other book(s) be about Kismet and
Mal, or will you focus on the remaining Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse?
That’s a good question. Kismet
is the main focus point of the series, mostly because he is the “human” in the
equation and pins down the perspective for the reader. Mal, being Kismet’s
champion of sorts, probably will remain one of the larger focuses with the
other three Horsemen close behind. I will be focusing on Death, Ari and Min as
well because they’ll have bits and pieces coming up that impact the series as a
whole.
is the main focus point of the series, mostly because he is the “human” in the
equation and pins down the perspective for the reader. Mal, being Kismet’s
champion of sorts, probably will remain one of the larger focuses with the
other three Horsemen close behind. I will be focusing on Death, Ari and Min as
well because they’ll have bits and pieces coming up that impact the series as a
whole.
2. What aspect of Ink and Shadows came to you first – the setting, premise,
characters, something else?
Oddly enough the first aspect
that came to me was the greasy black inky things eating through the insane. Kismet
evolved over time and actually had the most radical changes in his character
development. He started off more adrift and a bit more detached. The turning
point for is evolution was the need for him to be functional but not too
functional. He has to be a child born from the fringes of society. In his mind,
he’s quite successful because he has a craft and can manage to hold his life
together a bit, even if it’s leaking out from between his fingers.
that came to me was the greasy black inky things eating through the insane. Kismet
evolved over time and actually had the most radical changes in his character
development. He started off more adrift and a bit more detached. The turning
point for is evolution was the need for him to be functional but not too
functional. He has to be a child born from the fringes of society. In his mind,
he’s quite successful because he has a craft and can manage to hold his life
together a bit, even if it’s leaking out from between his fingers.
When the world got “bigger”
around him, he adapted. Mostly because at the very core, Kismet is a survivor.
around him, he adapted. Mostly because at the very core, Kismet is a survivor.
Mal is a bit of a Pinocchio. He
has all the emotions, feelings and desires of a human being without any
foundation to rest it on. Since he’s a radical departure for the Horsemen in
temperament and curiosity, Mal’s kind of left to feel it out on his own. As
much as Death can try to help him, they really are separated by age. There are
centuries between them so Death’s perspective is definitely not something Mal
can wrap his head around.
has all the emotions, feelings and desires of a human being without any
foundation to rest it on. Since he’s a radical departure for the Horsemen in
temperament and curiosity, Mal’s kind of left to feel it out on his own. As
much as Death can try to help him, they really are separated by age. There are
centuries between them so Death’s perspective is definitely not something Mal
can wrap his head around.
Min and Ari are probably the
definition of the human baseline. Their needs are simple and for the most part,
one would assume their responses are too but each of the elder Horsemen are
quite aware of the consequences of their actions. Or non-actions. That’s
something Mal, as a very unripe Pestilence, still is trying to learn. The
Horsemen are both puppets and the puppeteers of humanity.
definition of the human baseline. Their needs are simple and for the most part,
one would assume their responses are too but each of the elder Horsemen are
quite aware of the consequences of their actions. Or non-actions. That’s
something Mal, as a very unripe Pestilence, still is trying to learn. The
Horsemen are both puppets and the puppeteers of humanity.
3. Do you have a favorite scene or moment in the book that you can entice
readers with?
Oh wow… so many. I’d have to say
one of my favourite scenes is Mal and Ari in the garage fighting the wraith.
They come at their problems at such different angles and while Ari/War adapts
quickly and evolves, Mal is constantly seeing to deal with any problems
logically first—sometimes to his detriment. It will be a balance of learning
when to act versus react and that scene illustrates that.
one of my favourite scenes is Mal and Ari in the garage fighting the wraith.
They come at their problems at such different angles and while Ari/War adapts
quickly and evolves, Mal is constantly seeing to deal with any problems
logically first—sometimes to his detriment. It will be a balance of learning
when to act versus react and that scene illustrates that.
I also really enjoyed writing
Death and Ari fighting back to back behind the motel. I wanted to show their
relationship, which is complicated in Death’s mind but very simple in Ari’s.
They fit into one another very well. Okay, and probably Death and Kismet’s
conversation in the Chinatown alleyway.
Death and Ari fighting back to back behind the motel. I wanted to show their
relationship, which is complicated in Death’s mind but very simple in Ari’s.
They fit into one another very well. Okay, and probably Death and Kismet’s
conversation in the Chinatown alleyway.
I had a lot of fun moments.
4. If you had to make a playlist of songs that fit the novel, what would you
add?
I actually write to music so I
can answer this one pretty easily. A lot of this book was written to Tool,
VAST, Hyde and Gackt with a few appearances by Metallica and Anthrax. I also
delved a bit into Apocalyptica’s instrumentals for the fight scenes.
can answer this one pretty easily. A lot of this book was written to Tool,
VAST, Hyde and Gackt with a few appearances by Metallica and Anthrax. I also
delved a bit into Apocalyptica’s instrumentals for the fight scenes.
5. What genre(s) would you place Ink and Shadows? What other genres would you
like to write in?
Genre placement is so very
difficult. I’d probably say urban fantasy first and foremost. Maybe a dash of
horror but then I’m a really poor judge on what horror is.
difficult. I’d probably say urban fantasy first and foremost. Maybe a dash of
horror but then I’m a really poor judge on what horror is.
As for other genres, I pretty
much write as I go. I tend to run towards mystery, suspense, paranormal and
urban fantasy. Most of my series lie in those genres and I enjoy the puzzle of
them. I am in awe of people who can set their minds into historicals. Shifting
the voice to that genre’s language is fantastic. I wish I had that mindset.
much write as I go. I tend to run towards mystery, suspense, paranormal and
urban fantasy. Most of my series lie in those genres and I enjoy the puzzle of
them. I am in awe of people who can set their minds into historicals. Shifting
the voice to that genre’s language is fantastic. I wish I had that mindset.
Again, thank you for having me
along! And I hope you enjoy Ink and Shadows!
along! And I hope you enjoy Ink and Shadows!
About the Author:
Rhys Ford is a firm believer in love and
let love, short walks to a coffee shop and having a spare cat or two.
Most days she can be found swearing at her laptop and trying to come up
with new ways to kill off perfectly good random characters.
let love, short walks to a coffee shop and having a spare cat or two.
Most days she can be found swearing at her laptop and trying to come up
with new ways to kill off perfectly good random characters.
Rhys
Ford was born and raised in Hawaii then wandered off to see the world.
After chewing through a pile of books, a lot of odd food, and a stray
boyfriend or two, Rhys eventually landed in San Diego, which is a very
nice place but seriously needs more rain.
Rhys admits to sharing
the house with three cats of varying degrees of black fur, a black
Pomeranian puffball and a ginger cairn terrorist. Rhys is also enslaved
to the upkeep a 1979 Pontiac Firebird, a Toshiba laptop, and a purple
Bella coffee maker.
Rhys Ford | Dirt and sin… with a side of coffee: http://http://rhysford.com/
Always so great to hear from the author what came to her first! Interesting interview.
I got a 'mortal instruments' type of vibe when you first reviewed this book, but even more so since reading this interview. It sounds awesome! Also…how perfect is Rhys' bio?!
xx
Amazing interview!! Thank you for posting such a nice post!
P.S: The book sounds interesting!
Haniya
booknauthors.blogspot.com
Amazing interview!! Thank you for posting such a nice post!
P.S: The book sounds interesting!
Haniya
booknauthors.blogspot.com
The Pinocchio parallels to MC interests me
Great interview! Thanks so much for sharing it and the book this week!
What a fabulous author bio!
I love Metallica. Fighting scenes are intense, whether I'm reading or writing them.
Looks like a great read.
Great interview plus intriguing book! I will definitely be checking out this book (and not only because it reminded me of Supernatural 😉 haha)
Great interview! I think it's neat how the author began to develop the story, and how it grew from there!
Lindy@ A Bookish Escape