Hello, and thank you for having me on your blog! A Storm of Ice and Stars is a prequel novel to my first book, A Shiver of Snow and Sky. It is set at an earlier time, and follows a different set of characters. You don’t have to have read the first one to read this one, but you will probably get a lot more out of it if you do.
What can fans of your previous book A Shiver of Snow and Sky expect from this one?
If you loved the icy setting and the folklore in the first book, then you can expect more of that from the second book. Telling little stories within a bigger story is something that I love to do, especially if it adds to the history and depth of the world. We also get to explore a little bit more of the island of Skane in this book, which I loved doing.
I love the folklore and mythical creatures in your books. Are they based on any particular mythology? Or are they a product purely of your own imagination?
I did a lot of reading of folklore and mythology when I started writing these books. Some things inspired me in one way or another, but mostly just reading about various things got my wheels turning, so to speak, and helped me to imagine a rich folklore for my own world. I really tried to immerse myself in Scandinavian legends and whatnot to get a feel for the environment and the lore, but Skane isn’t based off of any one place.
Your writing is so atmospheric and lyrical, are there any writers who influence your writing style?
Reading Gail Carson Levine’s Ella Enchanted really inspired me to write fantasy. And although I don’t think that other writers’ writing directly influences my own, I always feel inspired when I read something by Leigh Bardugo (although I haven’t read all of her books).
What’s been your best moment as an author so far?
Honestly, doing my first event in London last year and getting to meet people who had read my book was a high point for me. It left me a bit teary. Even knowing that one person bought and read my book was life-changing.
What does your typical writing day look like?
Prior to being pregnant and having my day to day life significantly changed, I would write from early morning until I felt like my creativity was waning. I have always loved writing in the very early morning, around dawn, as I feel like that’s when the day is new and exciting, and it makes me feel like anything can happen.
Do you have any advice for aspiring fantasy writers?
Look for inspiration everywhere you are, in sunrises and sunsets, in rainstorms and snowstorms, and in everything that you do. A lot of scenes that I have written have been born from moments in my real life, in one way or another, whether dialog or setting descriptions. Understand your world, and have fun building it. If you aren’t having fun, that will be obvious to your readers.
What books would you recommend to fans looking for stories similar to your own?
I haven’t read the whole series yet, but I loved The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden. It has a wintry setting, as well, and I just loved it. I have also started reading Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik, and although I haven’t finished it yet, I am loving the snowy landscapes and the mystery!
Can you tell us a bit about what you’re working on next?
I’m working on something that I’ve always wanted to write. It’s been in the back of my mind for a while, so I’m exploring it and seeing where it takes me. I can’t say much about it right now, but I can assure you that it’s a fantasy.
And lastly, what three words best describe A Storm of Ice and Stars?
Frozen. Heartache. Bravery.
A STORM OF ICE AND STARS by Lisa Lueddecke out now in paperback (£7.99, Scholastic)
@LisaLueddecke www.lisalueddecke.com
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