Elizabeth Richards Author Interview ~ JeanBookNerd

Book Nerd Interview

Elizabeth Richards is an award-winning journalist, who spent her early career reviewing videogames before making the bold (or crazy) move into travel writing, despite suffering from terrible travel sickness.

In her spare time, she ran a successful lifestyle website aimed at teenage girls, where she got to interview many of her favourite bands, go to gigs and basically blag loads of free swag all in the name of ‘research’.

Elizabeth lives in Buckinghamshire, England, with her husband. Black City is her debut novel.

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What’s one thing that readers would be surprised to find out about you?

I’m fascinated with volcanoes. I’d love to see ten volcanoes before I die. I’ve already seen Stromboli, Mt Etna, and Vesuvius, so just seven more to go.

What was the greatest thing you learned at school?

It has to be everything I learned about narrative structures. It’s been invaluable in my adult life.

What is the best piece of advice you ever received from another author?

Don’t compare your journey to others, because it’ll only make you crazy. Everyone’s path to publication is different.

In your new book; Black City, can you tell my Book Nerd community a little about it?

Here’s the official summary, as I think it sums it up best:

A dark and tender post-apocalyptic love story set in the aftermath of a bloody war

In a city where humans and Darklings are now separated by a high wall and tensions between the two races still simmer after a terrible war, sixteen-year-olds Ash Fisher, a half-blood Darkling, and Natalie Buchanan, a human and the daughter of the Emissary, meet and do the unthinkable — they fall in love.

Bonded by a mysterious connection, that causes Ash's long dormant heart to beat, Ash and Natalie first deny and then struggle to fight their forbidden feelings for each other, knowing if they're caught they'll be executed —but their feelings are too strong.

When Ash and Natalie then find themselves at the center of a deadly conspiracy that threatens to pull the humans and Darklings back into war, they must make hard choices that could result in both their deaths.

What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating Ash?

That he likes to dance! I assumed Ash would be the sort of guy who would just sit back and watch others dancing rather than join in, but there’s a dance scene in Phoenix (Black City book #2), and he whispered to me that he wanted to get up and bust some moves.

Why do you feel you had to tell this story?

I just couldn’t get Ash out of my head. I became obsessed with the idea of a supernatural boy who got a heartbeat when he met his Blood Mate, and I HAD to write it. I’ve always loved, dark, gothic and dystopian stories, so it was inevitable this would be the world Ash would inhabit.

For those who are unfamiliar with Natalie, how would you introduce her?

Natalie Buchanan is the youngest daughter of Emissary Buchanan. On the surface she’s a typical Sentry brat - spoilt, rich and intolerant. But beneath her public persona is a curious, damaged, lonely girl, who is still grieving after her father was murdered, and will do whatever it takes to protect her sister.

Do you have a favorite quote that you keep visible in your work environment to help inspire you?

No, mainly because I work in my living room or in the library, so there’s nowhere to put any inspirational messages!

If you could introduce Ash & Natalie to any character from another book,who would it be and why?

I’d introduce them to Tris and Four from Divergent. I just think they’d really get along! I’m certain Ash and Natalie would be Dauntless.

What are some of your current and future projects that you can share with us?

I’m currently putting the finishing touches to Phoenix (Black City book 2) and drafting book #3 of the series. Then after that, I’ve got an idea for another dystopian series with a sci-fi twist, so I’ll be working on that in the New Year. I can’t wait!

What’s the best advice you can give writers to help them develop their own unique voice and style?

Write what you like to read. Your natural voice will only come out when you’re not trying to force it. If you’re trying to write in a genre that you don’t particularly enjoy, and are only doing it because you think it’ll sell, then your voice will sound flat and forced. So write what you love. Your enthusiasm and knowledge of the genre will naturally shine through.

Where is the best place in the world you’ve been?

Oooh, I’ve been to so many amazing places. I loved New York, because it’s where I go engaged, so that city holds a very special place in my heart. And I absolutely adored my holiday to Barbados a few years ago. I went with my mom and two sisters for a girly holiday, and we had a total blast. We all loved it there – it was paradise!

What book are you reading now?

The Casual Vacancy by JK Rowling.

Who was your first boyfriend?

Gosh, that’s going back a bit! I guess it would’ve been a boy named Nicky, who I met at middle school. We dated for a few weeks – which at that age is considered ‘serious’. We went out on a few dates, held hands around the school and gave each other gifts. Then it obviously fizzled out because we were only like twelve years old at the time!

Tell me about your first kiss

Well, if we’re talking a little peck on the mouth, then it happened when I was about 8 years old, and my mom’s friend brought her three boys over to play with us. I was totally smitten with the eldest son (who shall remain nameless, to save his and my embarrassment. Oh, and btw he was only like a year older than me, so this isn’t a creepy tale…). And we were playing hide-and-seek, and we hid out in the garage. And I don’t really recall how it happened, but I just remember my heart racing a mile-a-minute as he leaned down and kissed me. At the time I thought it was THE most romantic thing in the world. My first ‘proper’ kiss though...hmmm, it wasn’t so good. My sister—who had previously dated the boy in question—nicknamed him Plunger Boy. I think that sums it up really.

When asked, what’s the one question you always answer with a lie?

Oh, I never lie! *I’m lying*

What's the worst summer job you've ever had?

I worked at a perfume counter in a department store. I hated it. The smell of the perfume gave me constant headaches and I’m not really a people-person, so I wasn’t exactly the most helpful sales assistant.

What did the last text message on your phone say?

Randomly, it was from Orange letting me know I can get 30% off tickets for the Allstars of Darts. I’m actually tempted. Darts is my kind of sport. You don’t have to be fit, and you can drink beer while doing it.

When was the last time you cried?

Yesterday! I was watching War Horse, and I started blubbing after the first 30 seconds of the movie. I’m a real sucker for movies featuring animals – they really pull at my heartstrings.

Where can readers stalk you?

You can find me on Facebook at facebook.com/OfficialElizabethRichards and on Twitter at twitter.com/theredpenofdoom

A dark and tender post-apocalyptic love story set in the aftermath of a bloody war.

In a city where humans and Darklings are now separated by a high wall and tensions between the two races still simmer after a terrible war, sixteen-year-olds Ash Fisher, a half-blood Darkling, and Natalie Buchanan, a human and the daughter of the Emissary, meet and do the unthinkable—they fall in love. Bonded by a mysterious connection that causes Ash’s long-dormant heart to beat, Ash and Natalie first deny and then struggle to fight their forbidden feelings for each other, knowing if they’re caught, they’ll be executed—but their feelings are too strong.

When Ash and Natalie then find themselves at the center of a deadly conspiracy that threatens to pull the humans and Darklings back into war, they must make hard choices that could result in both their deaths.

Elizabeth Richards’ highly original post-war love story, Black City, tells the remarkable story of forbidden love between two sixteen-year-olds from opposite sides. Living in a world where Darklings and humans are separated, worries and stress between the two races remain fresh as the days during the war. Hald-blood Darkling Ash Fisher and human Natalie Buchanan manage to surpass the strain and fall in love—something that is forbidden. This is especially true for Natalie since she is the daughter of a high ranking official. Drawn together through a special bond, the two knows that their deaths lay ahead if they are caught. They can easily turn their backs on each other and walk away but their feelings are too strong to ignore.

The world inside Black City that author Elizabeth has created is nothing short of spectacular. Readers will find this captivating story and its memorable characters a welcoming invitation to its dark world of intrigue. Cities are divided between working class people and the Sentry humans who govern everything. Massive wall structures separate the humans from the Darklings. Elizabeth’s writing style will grab readers by their wrists and lead them straight to the core of the story where they will be immersed into its beautiful dark element. The plot is highly gripping and its twists and surprises will have readers glued to the pages. Black City comes to a shocking ending and only feeds the desire to want more.

You can purchase Black City at the following Retailers: