A Slice of Cake With... Clarissa Gosling

Today I am delighted to have a slice of cake with Clarissa Gosling.

Clarissa has always lived more in the world of daydream and fiction than in reality. In her writing, she explores purpose and belonging across worlds. Having never found her own portal to faeryland, she is resigned to writing about fantastical worlds instead.

She now lives in the Netherlands with her family, where she writes as much as they will let her. When not reading or writing, she drinks too much tea and has a burgeoning obsession with Bundt cakes.

What kind of books do you write?

I write stories of exploration, with characters searching for their purpose and where they belong across different worlds. I write about characters on the cusp of adulthood who want to find their place and learn how to care for their environment. I write uplifting, affirming stories where not too many people get hurt and where kissing is as far as it goes.

Can you describe your writing why?

I write to provide teenage me with the stories I would have loved to read then. I write to exorcise the characters and ideas from my brain. I write to find out what I am capable of.

Share with us your favourite passage from the book you enjoyed writing the most

“Oh good, you’re still here.” Before Fergus could react she dumped the sacks on his toes. “You can carry these for me.” And she walked down the path towards the village. After a couple of steps she turned back and waved at her father, forcing herself to smile so as not to upset him further.

Fergus stood there frowning, rubbing his toe. “Carry your own bag.”

She grinned at him. “But all Bears are considerate towards the weaker humans and do what they can to ameliorate their position if it allies with their own tasks.” Reciting back the Bear Clan guidelines had never felt sweeter. “As I’m sure you’re going to be escorting me to the settlement, there’s no reason for you not to carry them. Now I’m a human after all.” She raised one eyebrow. Better make the best of it as there didn’t seem a way out of needing to move, and annoying Fergus made it almost bearable.

From Dragon Shift by Clarissa Gosling.

Tell us about your latest project

Fae Fair is a YA fae fantasy about a girl who crosses over to faery when riding her horse through the woods. She leaves behind an annoying foster brother to find an eerie, magical forest where she is hailed as a long lost fae princess. But is she able to fulfil the bargain she is forced into to save the one friend she has made? And still fulfil her promise to her horse to return him home?

What is your favourite cake?

I am a big fan of bundt cakes at the moment - I love the variety of shapes they come in and the creativity of designs. One of the pans I have is the shape of a castle, which is great for the children's birthdays. No fiddling around decorating it, just plonk a few Playmobil people next to it and dust it in icing sugar. As for what type of cake goes in there, well for me it has to involve chocolate of some sort. Maybe with nuts, or fruit, or covered in buttercream icing, but it has to involve chocolate.

You can connect with Clarissa at her website: clarissagosling.com 

Join me next week when I will be having a slice of cake with Amy Campbell. 

If you would like to take part in A Slice of Cake With... please fill in the form found here. I'd be delighted to have you.

You can also support my writing endeavours and buy me tea & cake - it's what makes the world go round!

Claire Buss is a multi-genre author and poet, completely addicted to cake. Find out more about her books on her website clairebuss.co.uk. Join the discussion in her Facebook group Buss's Book Stop. Never miss out on future posts by following me.