Interview with C.L. Lauder, Author of The Quelling
25 Jan 2024
What’s the story behind the story? What inspired you to write The Quelling?
The Quelling is in essence a prequel. Book Two in the series was intended to be Book One. When writing what is now Book Two, I got caught up in its premise and realised I had to explore the fundamentals to fully understand the world I’d created. I wanted to get to grips with the antagonist and the reasons behind his fanaticism. The Quelling was born from that desire to understand the backstory, and taking that step back is one of the best decisions I could have made for the series.
If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of The Quelling, what would they be?
It would have to be The Forgotten Song which you’ll find in the Epilogue of The Quelling.
The original version was written for me by RAYM and tweaked to fit the story. I’m planning to have it produced so I can share it with my email subscribers. I’m expecting it to play a part in Book Three.
What’s your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?
Fantasy, sci-fi, and dystopian – all represented in equal parts in The Quelling.
What books are on your TBR pile right now?
I’m dying to re-read The Hitchhikers Guide to The Galaxy by Douglas Adams because it’s one of the few books that has me crying with laughter on repeat. I’m currently engrossed in a non-fiction book by a fellow South African author, Michael Tellinger, called Slave Species of the Gods which is about the secret history of the Anunnaki and their possible mission on Earth.
What scene in your book was your favorite to write?
The scene that sticks with most people, and was my favourite to write, is the one where Kyjta and Kranik take their first tentative steps toward trusting each other, leaping from a cliff edge into the sea. Kyjta is a somewhat mixed-up character and her motives are not pure, but Kranik is overwhelmed by her apparent acceptance, and seeing that dynamic come to life on the page was pretty cool.
Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)
I am a morning person and my creativity is at its peak between 5 am and 11 am. If I have a full day to write I’ll nap briefly after lunch and then repeat my morning routine when I wake up, hoping to fool my brain into thinking it’s the start of a new day and I’m due a full dose of morning creativity.
Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?
My mother instilled two lessons in me as a child, the first was to always finish what you start and the second was that you can achieve anything if you persist. Those two beliefs are what brought me here today.
If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?
There are many hard-hitting themes in The Quelling. I think that everyone will take something different away. The core theme is taken from the perspective that our beings are steeped in injustice from an evolutionary standpoint. We are wired to classify others and make broad assessments based on culture, lineage, and appearance. If we can challenge our genetic heritage on this point we might reach a higher evolutionary plane.
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