This week I am delighted to have a slice of cake with author Fi Phillips.
Her debut novel, Haven Wakes, was released in 2019 by Burning Chair Publishing and the second instalment in The Haven Chronicles is due to be released later this year.
What kind of books do you write?
I love to write about magical possibilities. The kind of stories where you step through a door that should be a cupboard and find yourself somewhere altogether unexpected, with characters who have mystical powers or impossible pets.
I also like to write about a mix of magic and science, with a huge dollop of adventure.
Can you describe your writing why?
I write because if I didn’t, I would spend way too much time daydreaming. It also prevents my muse from invading my shower time and keeping me awake at night.
There are just too many stories in my brain to not write them down.
Share with us your favourite passage from the book you enjoyed writing the most
This is the first time we meet Hartley Keg. After being violently attacked, Steve wakes up in Hartley’s shop. His first thought is of escape and when he meets Hartley, he assumes that this is his kidnapper:
Light spilled through an uncurtained shop window at the far end of the room, next
to which was a door and, in its lock, sat a key.
Got to get out of here, he thought. He took a step. The floorboard beneath his foot
creaked.
“Good morning,” a deep voice boomed. “How’s your head?” The owner of the voice stood in a doorway at the opposite end of the shop from Steve’s escape route, wooden spoon in one hand and a floral apron tied around his middle.
The man was tall and round in stature, with a mane of chestnut hair that flowed down into an impressively full beard. Steve supposed he was in his fifties, from the lines around his eyes, but it was difficult to tell under so much facial hair.
“Eggs?”
“Sorry?” said Steve.
“Would you like eggs with your bacon?” the man said. “I take it you do eat bacon?”
“Yes,” said Steve, wondering how much more bizarre the conversation could become. “I eat bacon.”
“Good,” said the man. “Come on, come on.”
Extract from Haven Wakes, book one of the Haven Chronicles series.
Tell us about your latest project
My debut novel, Haven Wakes was published by Burning Chair Publishing in 2019 and the second book in the series (still working on the book title) is due to be published later this year.
In Book Two, Steve and his magical friends face the consequences of their actions in Haven Wakes and face a new, more powerful foe. We extend the world of the story beyond the city limits of Caercester to a whole host of new locations and discover much more about Steve’s world and that of the magical community.
And there are robots too… lots of them.
What is your favourite cake?
It has to be carrot cake. It’s not sponge but it’s not fruit cake either. It’s a lovely texture somewhere in between the two. Plus I can fool myself that I’m being healthy because there’s carrot in it.
It’s my daughter’s favourite cake too, so we’ve baked a fair few carrot cakes during lockdown.
You can connect with Fi here:
Join me next week when I will be having a slice of cake with Georgiana-Laura Gheorghe.
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.
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