Q: Where did the idea for The Rule come from?
A: I like to say that The Rule is Nevernight meets Miss Congeniality - and my hope is that you will see the little influences throughout. But the original 'ah-ha' moment actually came from when I visited the Mezquita in Cordoba, Spain. For those who haven't been there, it is truly one of the most striking and humbling structures I've ever seen. The moment I stepped inside, I was in awe, taking a hundred photos to try and imprint it to memory. I turned to my friend and said "One day I'm going to set a book here." Fast forward about six years, and I finally fulfilled that promise. You'll see the Mezquita described as the opening chamber to Alk Netorri, the palace in my novel.
On the other hand, The Rule has been a lifetime in the making. At its core, it's about anyone brave enough to unpick their inherited beliefs - going against the status quo, what you've been told to do or think or want, and choosing for yourself. This is something I have been challenging myself to do my entire adult life, and so much of that spirit went into Zinha's journey.
Q: What did you love most about writing it?
A: Getting to write about the place! I'm usually such a character person, but throughout my travels, I have fallen in love with Moorish architecture in places like Spain and Morocco, and it was a thrill to write such a rich and passionate setting for my book.
Q: Who was your favourite to write for out of the boys?
A: Ooft, that's a tough one. Mateo is the golden retriever male lead. He's sassy and flirty and sexy, but with a lot of tucked away pain - he's everything one wants out of a romantasy love interest. But then there's Reyher - the golden labrador lead that was a joy to write. Stoic and passionate, with a lot of tucked away passion that is dying to get out. A man shackled that I slowly got to let loose.
Q: Can you spill any secrets about the sequel?
A: I'm going to put Zinha through the wringer! Anyone who knows my writing knows I like to make my characters earn their achievements. Be very afraid.
Q: What made you get into writing?
A: I've been writing since before I can remember. When I was in primary school, one of my teachers told my parents that I was 'too creative'. Not sure what that even means... is it a compliment? Insult? We were all confused, and I took it to mean I was doing something right. In primary school, I wrote my first novella about a cat named Storm (named after my aunties' cat) who goes on an adventure. In high school, I wrote a novel about a young girl sucked into a magical world. And during university, I wrote an urban speculative fiction set in the archaeological world. It wasn't until I was a grown adult that I realised fantasy was my calling, and I've never looked back.