Interview: October 2010
Native Englander Andrew Newbound is hitting the shelves with his action-packed American debut, GHOUL STRIKE!, which follows ghost-snatcher Alannah Malarra and her sketchy associate, Wortley Flint, as they track down ghouls, only to find themselves at the center of a dark and bitter conflict that’s been going on for centuries.
In this interview with Kidsreads.com’s Usha Reynolds, Newbound talks about how he came up with the idea for a series about a psychic, ghoul-battling bounty hunter, elaborating on Alannah and Wortley’s relationship and his childhood fear of ghosts. He also explains why the names of Evanescents always seem to fit their personalities, reveals his favorite weapon in Commander Rage’s stunning arsenal, and speculates on the best cure for the common cold --- sharing the ingredients of his grandmother’s incredibly disgusting secret remedy.
Kidsreads.com: A 12-year-old psychic girl who happens to be a bounty hunter and battles ghosts, ghouls and gargoyles --- how in the world did you come up with the idea behind GHOUL STRIKE?!
Andrew Newbound: As a child --- and even now --- I was terrified of ghosts, but I was oddly fascinated by them, too. So I wanted to create the kind of character that would be the polar opposite of me: brave, tough, driven, a girl, and --- most importantly --- NOT afraid of ghosts. I’ve also always craved superpowers (the only power I actually possess is the ability to eat lots and lots of chocolate), which is why I gave Alannah some incredible paranormal abilities --- they’re the ones I wish I had!
KRC: Wortley doesn’t seem to be a particularly brave young boy, yet he’s become a burglar. Was he simply coerced by Alannah into becoming one, or is he motivated by his own desire for wealth?
AN: Left to his own devices, Wortley would sit at home and TV, play a little football --- or soccer, as American readers would call it --- and perhaps run the odd errand for his mum. But Alannah brings out the best (and sometimes the worst) in Wortley, encouraging him to do things he otherwise wouldn’t dream of. She’s his driving force, whether he likes it or not. So yes, Alannah probably did coerce him. Poor Wortley…except, don’t you think he’s also having fun on his adventures --- even when they involve hyenas?!
KRC: Alannah and Wortley are very different in terms of their personalities, yet they share a great friendship. What is the key to their friendship?
AN: They have shared the same home for many years, and are as close as any brother and sister. And, yes, they’re very different, but their personalities also work quite well together: Wortley tries to be Alannah’s conscience, and she listens to him (Sometimes!), while Alannah challenges Wortley to face his fears. So they make a great team. If my house were haunted, I’d hire them!
KRC: Have Wortley and his mother always lived in the Malarras’ home? Who and where is Wortley’s father?
AN: They haven’t always lived with the Malarras, but they have for many years. Sadly, Godfrey Flint (Wortley’s father) died from an illness when Wortley was younger. Godfrey had been employed by the Malarras as a driver and general handyman, although there is more to the Flint family than meets the eye --- as we’ll find out in the next part of Alannah’s story.
KRC: Many of the Evanescents’ names seem to describe their personalities: Rage, Yell, Gloom, Stickler. Is a name an indicator of an Evanescent’s personality, or do they acquire their names because of their adult personalities?
AN: Evanescents aren’t like us, and they don’t follow our tradition of naming their children at birth either. Instead, they wait to see how the child’s personality develops, and then they choose the kind of name that best suits him or her. Here’s a brainteaser: What would you be called if you were an Evanescent?
KRC: Commander Rage has quite an arsenal of nifty weapons and gizmos at his disposal. If you could have any of his weapons, which one would you choose?
AN: If I could have any of Rage’s gizmos, it would have to be the astral shield. Then again, the tracking device could also come in handy, and I really wouldn’t mind a twin-barrel ecto-blaster either...but nope, it has to be the astral shield --- if I had that I’d be invincible!
KRC: Are there other cities like Evan City in the Higher Dimension? How does the size and infrastructure of Evan City compare with that of other cities and towns in its dimension?
AN: Wow, that’s a fantastic question --- one that I really have to think about…in my own mind, I only ever saw the Higher Dimension as having one major city, and in terms of size, it’s vast. Evan City would be a swarming hub as large as London, or maybe even New York. However, that’s not to say that there wouldn’t be small villages and outposts elsewhere. Perhaps that’s something I can explore when the story moves to Evan City in later books.
KRC: Mrs. Flint’s homemade concoctions for curing various illnesses sound positively vile! What do you take to treat a cold or flu?
AN: I stick to conventional remedies, but both my grandmother and my father make something called “pobs” when they’re ill. It’s a mixture of milk, gravy, eggs, salts, peppers and a dash of brandy, all warmed up in a pan on a stove. The smell is disgusting, and goodness knows what it tastes like. But they swear it works, so who am I to argue?
KRC: Who were your favorite authors as a child? In what ways do they influence your work today?
AN: I was inspired by J.R.R. Tolkien. I adored reading THE HOBBIT --- it’s still my favorite book. I suppose his work influences me now because I strive to create strong characters like Bilbo Baggins. I’m not sure I’ll ever create a character that special, but it’s great fun trying!
As a teenager, I read a lot of Stephen King novels. I just love how he writes in such a relaxed and natural way. I try hard to bring that light, conversational touch to my writing, too.
Oh, and I also used to devour the books by a Swedish author --- written in English, of course --- named Nils-Olof Franzén, about a comic detective called Agaton Sax. They were so funny and entertaining in a really zany way --- I thought they were wonderful. I’m not sure if they influence me today in any way, though; I just loved to read them. I hope my stories will have a similar impact on readers.
KRC: Describe your ideal day.
AN: Waking up early to find the sun shining brightly. Jumping into the car, driving to the beach and spending the rest of the day relaxing by the sea, listening to the sound of the waves gently folding onto the sand. If I have a good book in my hand, even better --- it’s absolute bliss!
KRC: The ending of GHOUL STRIKE! practically demands a sequel. Are you working on one now, and if so, when will it be published?
AN: The second part of Alannah’s story is incredible, if I do say so myself! The characters really find their footing, and the gang has a whole new enemy to contend with. Without giving anything away, I can tell you that new characters appear on the scene, and Alannah begins to learn how to harness and control her incredible powers. Book Two is halfway finished, and I’m hoping to convince my publishers to release it as soon as it’s completed. So get ready!
