I'm heading over to the dark side today and I do hope that you'll join me and my guest Sian B Claven. Come on, don't be scared. Here, you can hold my hand if it makes you feel better!
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| Image found on GIPHY |
I hope that didn't freak you out too much *laughs evilly* but I couldn't resist! 😉 Let's get things started and introduce you all to Sian.
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| Photo courtesy of Sian B Claven |
Hailing
from Johannesburg South Africa, Sian B. Claven has enjoyed stories for all her
life, whether she was reading them or making them. She has written for as long
as she can remember, but Ensnared is the first book she decided to publish.
Moving towards writing more for the horror / paranormal thriller genre, Sian has
subsequently published the first two books in The Butcher Books series, Tatum
and Kallista.
When Sian isn't thinking of ways to terrify people, she enjoys
writing science fiction stories, poetry and rather long and gushy birthday
wishes. When she isn't working on her writing you can find her knitting,
scrapbooking, reading, or playing Xbox. Sian previously reviewed for The
Blithering Bibliomaniacs and still reviews in her private capacity. She clearly
doesn't know what the words rest and relaxation mean, at least not in the
traditional sense.
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Do
you have any bad habits?
Oh
wow! I have a ton of bad habits and they’re very difficult to overcome as a
writer. One of my biggest bad habits is probably my laziness. Once I enter that
lazy mode there’s no coming back for me. It could take me days to get back to
writing and marketing once I decide nope, I’m having a lazy day…. It turns into
days. Another bad habit I have is biting my nails when I’m nervous, which is a
lot of the time so I have literally no nails. Sometimes I wear false nails so I
don’t chew on my own.
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| Image found on JuiceBubble.co.za |
What
advice would you give your younger self?
Stop
doubting your writing and write sooner. You are a good writer with a lot of
potential so stop going over and over the chapters trying to make them perfect
and just write the story from your heart. Also, don’t trust men, they are dogs.
Oh and eating does not make you feel better younger Sian, it just makes you
fat.
What’s
your favourite motivational phrase?
Ooooh
this is a tough one because I have a lot of them but my ultimate is from a
speech that J. K. Rowling made.
“It
is impossible to live without failing at something, unless you live so
cautiously that you might as well not have lived at all - in which case, you
fail by default.”
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| Image found on Google |
Do
you have any hidden or uncommon talents?
According
to my best friend, who I had assist me with this question, I should mention
here four things.
1 – I
can speak four languages
2 – I
can play a Brazilian instrument called a Berimbau
3 – I
am trained in the art of the Brazilian Martial arts / Dance called capoeira
4 –
Despite my size I can do the splits
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| Image found on Martialtribes |
That's an impreesive list of talents Sian! I'd never heard of capoeira until now and it looks amazing. I don't think it's something I'd ever be able to do though!
If
you could spend time with a character from your book who would it be and why?
What would you get up to?
Oh
lordy, you do know that I’m a horror writer, right? Hmmm, that is a tough
question but I’m going to go with Chris from my soon to be released book
Buried. We would explore his families mansion, hopefully not die, and record
all the history there.
What
character in your book are you least likely to get along with and why?
James
from my book Sylvana because I found him seriously whiney (for the story) and just
wanted to smack him in the face constantly.
What’s
your favourite under appreciated writer/book?
I
have a separate under appreciated writer and an under appreciated book. As far as
Writers are concerned I think that Toni Cox (elemental saga) is SERIOUSLY under
appreciated and that more people should delve into her awesome world but the
book To Kill a Mocking Bird is the most under appreciated book of all time.
I have to admit that I read To Kill a Mockingbird way back when I was at school and I've loved it ever since. I have a very beautiful 50th Edition hardback sitting on my special book bookshelf. It's one of the few books that I will read time and time again.
Did
you ever consider writing under a pseudonym?
I
have on numerous occasions considered writing under a pseudonym and in fact I
am publishing under one later in the year. (shhh it’s a secret) but it’s purely
because I am associated with horror and for my pseudonym I am branching into a
completely different genre.
Don't worry, you're seret's safe with me - and hopefully my readers too, Sian. 🤫
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#RIP John
Trigger
Warning: This book contains scenes of graphic bullying and suicide.
Everyone
wants a chance to fit in, and that's all John King wants when he starts at his
new school. A relentless bully, a blogger, and a pretty girl all have a
different plan for him, though and after he endures all he can, John takes his
own life.
The only
problem left for Devan, Melinda and Jenny?
He
doesn't stay dead.
When I read this blurb I instantly thought of the Netflix series 13 Reasons Why, so I think I'll have to get myself a copy of #RIP John
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You can find out more about Sian, her books and connect with her using the links below:
I'd like to say a big thank you to Sian for taking the time to stop by and hang out with me today. It's been great fun getting to know you and I'm looking forward to my dark journey into one of your books soon!
