Sickening, yes. But if you wanted to keep your job, if you wanted to avoid severe punishment and if you wanted your belly to stop burning, your head swimming, your mouth running dry from starvation, you watched.
Jaya Martin – Blood of the Wolf
Shortly after Gollancz’s Rivers of London Award, I got in touch with the winners and other shortlistees to find out more about them and thier projects. In this post, Jaya Martin talks to me about her shortlisted novel Blood of the Wolf and her influences as a writer.
Tell us about the work you submitted to the RoL award in a tweet or less.
The title is Blood of the Wolf, a YA/Crossover fantasy. It is about a young Mage who has to risk her life to save a captive prince so that she will not be hanged for a crime she accidentally committed.
Where are you in your process with the work?
It is complete at approximately 115,000 words
What are a few things that inspired or influenced your novel?
Mainly, it was my love for writing. I started writing stories at the age of 10 and have continued to do so. Secondly, I love to read.
Could you share the first line or paragraph?
It was execution day. Anoushka gulped hard, and felt blood drain from her face, as she stood among the staff gathered in the courtyard to witness this loathsome, compulsory, monthly ritual at the castle. Sickening, yes. But if you wanted to keep your job, if you wanted to avoid severe punishment and if you wanted your belly to stop burning, your head swimming, your mouth running dry from starvation, you watched. Anoushka stood rooted to the ground, her eyes fixed on the developing scene.
What is one key part of your writing process?
Writing daily. I usually write early in the morning when ideas are fresh and the house is quiet.
Which book or author has most influenced you and why?
No particular book or author has influenced me. Not that I can instantly recall.
Finally, what are you reading at the moment? And what is one book you would wholeheartedly recommend everyone to read right now?
Queenie by Candice Carty-Williams and The Henna Artist by Alka Joshi
You can find out more about Jaya and her writing by following her on twitter.
The Venture 