No Write Way with V. E. Schwab Laying down the bones: An interview with Samantha Shannon
Aug 1, 2023
Samantha Shannon, author of The Bone Season series and The Priory of the Orange Tree, dives into the fascinating world of writing complex fantasy novels. She discusses the challenges of book length and managing multiple perspectives in her narratives. Samantha shares her journey from writing fanfiction as a child to becoming a published author, addressing the pressure of early fame. The conversation also touches on the intricacies of sequel writing and the emotional journey of character development, highlighting the delicate balance between structure and creativity.
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Multi-Perspective Story Length
- The length of Samantha Shannon's book was driven by the scope and four viewpoint characters, telling multiple interconnected stories.
- The complex, global narrative necessitated a large word count despite the daunting size.
Early Writing Journey
- Samantha Shannon began writing seriously at age 12, initially creating fanfiction-like sequels to her favorite films.
- She wrote her first full-length novel at 15, but her debut published novel came after university when she wrote The Bone Season.
Challenging Early Fame
- After securing a book deal at 20, Samantha experienced intense media attention and pressure labeled as "the next JK Rowling".
- This early fame caused significant anxiety, nearly overwhelming her before her career properly began.
