Hey guys, and happy Monday! Today I am thrilled to be sharing with you a '5 Minutes With' post... I haven't done one of these in ages, so I'm chuffed that it is with none other than Tyrell Johnson, author of The Wolves of Winter! I read this book last week and absolutely loved it. If you want to read my review for the blogger blitz click here, but here's a summary so you can see what all the fuss is about yourself...The Wolves of Winter is a dark, gritty and gorgeously written story about Lynn McBride and her family, who after the Asian flu hit America escaped to Yukon, where there is not much to see except snow. At least it's safe. That's what Lynn thought anyway, except now they're not the only ones there anymore. And soon everything in Lynn's world is torn apart, as she finds out the truth about her life before the Yukon.
Intrigued? Check out the blurb here...
Forget the old days. Forget summer. Forget warmth. Forget anything that doesn’t help you survive.
Lynn McBride has learned much since society collapsed in the face of nuclear war and the relentless spread of disease. As memories of her old life haunt her, she has been forced to forge ahead in the snow-covered Canadian Yukon, learning how to hunt and trap to survive.
But her fragile existence is about to be shattered. Shadows of the world before have found her tiny community—most prominently in the enigmatic figure of Jax, who sets in motion a chain of events that will force Lynn to fulfill a destiny she never imagined.
Today I am lucky enough to have Tyrell on my blog, to talk all things writing inspiration, dystopian novels, and writing female protagonists.
Inspiration came from a couple different sources. I’ve always liked the post-apocalyptic genre, but also, I was a new dad at the time I started the novel and wanted to write a story with a strong female character.
Tell us a bit more about the main character, Lynn. Do you have anything in common with her?
Absolutely. Honestly, writing different characters is a little like seeing different aspects of your own personality. There’s a lot of me in Lynn, and a lot of what I want to be. She’s independent, fierce, and adventurous. She’s also—though she wouldn’t admit it—emotional and vulnerable. Hopefully these two sides serve to make her a more rounded, believable character.
Do you normally come up with plot or characters first?
I think both things tend to happen at the same time. Or at the very least, it’s a back and forth. Sometimes, the original plot idea informs what types of characters will inhabit the novel; other times, the characters dictate what happens. The trick is, once in place, the plot can never dictate the character, but the character should dictate the plot.
What made you want to write a dystopian novel?I like the questions that post apocalyptic novels ask. If the world were to fall, what would civilization look like? Who would survive? How would they live? I like looking at these questions and putting my characters up not just against the ruined world around them, but each other.
What's so special about YA literature?
Really, all literature is special and important. My book sort of straddles the adult and YA market, which I like. Hopefully, the novel has a lot in it for a wide range of readers to enjoy.
What advice would you offer aspiring writers?
Write what you’re excited about. Write the book you’d want to read. Don’t get bogged down with what came before. A lot of writing happens away from the computer, so get outside, it’s nice out there.
Sum up The Wolves of Winter in three words
Shit gets cold.
Thank you so much, Tyrell, for coming on my blog today!
Buy The Wolves of Winter here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Wolves-Winter-Tyrell-Johnson/dp/0008210136/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1543439933&sr=8-1&keywords=the+wolves+of+winter
Check out Tyrell Johnson here: https://www.tyrelljohnsonauthor.com
Until next time :)
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