Q&A with Eileen Merriman

We’re so lucky to have Eileen as one of our local Milford authors. She’s one of the kindest, most down-to-earth kiwis we’ve met! Her new book Indigo Moon is out now so we took the opportunity to catch up for a quick Q&A. Check it out below.

Q: What inspired you to write a follow-on series from The Black Spiral Trilogy? Do you think readers need to have read The Black Spiral series before The Eternity Loop duology?
A: I guess I was missing the dystopian world and characters I'd created - the Black Spiral trilogy was my first foray into sci-fantasy and I was gratified by how well it was received. I was also curious to explore what would happen to the next generation of the virally optimised Black Spiral members i.e. their children, and what new dangers they might face in their changing world. Readers don't need to have read the Black Spiral trilogy first, no - they can definitely start with this as their first book and then can back and read the trilogy if they are curious to delve into the history of the previous generation.

Q: Indigo Moon is set in the future (as well as other time periods). What challenges did this create for you?
A: I did a lot of reading around what could be expected to be developed in the future (scientifically) and had to think hard about how society would have changed (for better or for worse), as well as predict effects of climate change, possibly falling fertility rates and the like. For instance, one restaurant has pods revolving around a building and docking at intervals so that the wait staff can bring them drinks and food, and public transport is very different due to the ongoing risk of infectious disease and pandemics. Often I'd find that my imagined inventions had already been invented! Overall it was a LOT of fun.

Q: Your characters have wonderfully unique names, how do you come up with them?
A: It can take me ages to think of names for my characters. Indigo was easy enough as she was named in honour of Violet (from the Black Spiral Trilogy). Rigel and Andromeda are obviously quite celestial. I do like to have fun with names, and they need to be catchy/memorable.

Q: What was the hardest scene to write in Indigo Moon?
A: Probably the first of the scenes set in 19th century America (not a spoiler) - I had to look up the architecture of the houses at the time, along with the type of clothing they might wear, and even what edition of the Encyclopedia Britannica would be available at that time.

Q: What did you edit out of Indigo Moon? Is the final version close to your original draft?
A: It's not incredibly different from the first draft, but I did edit out some scenes later in the book, as it was getting too complex, and I altered the climax (although not drastically). I originally wrote this as the first in a trilogy, but then merged books two and three into one (the second in the duology, Time's Raven, due out early next year) so that's where the main changes came in.

Q: What are the most important things authors should consider when writing a book for Young Adults as opposed to adults?
A: The voice needs to be just right - the reader needs to be able to identify with the character in some way, and sound/think like an authentic teenager. Also, one needs to keep up the pace, so the reader doesn't put the book down in favour of their TikTok feed or to binge watch a Netflix series. The first line, which is important in any book, is especially important in a young adult book - you need to jump right in and start swimming.

Q: You are a haematologist and an author. How do you find the two professions complement and/or influence each other?
A: I come across people from all walks of life in my job, and hear so many interesting stories, and it is definitely true that fact is often stranger than fiction! I also get a unique insight into how people react to some of the most stressful events in their lives. I think my understanding of medicine and the human body is often reflected in my novels, even when they aren't medically themed. Similarly, I think being a writer has made me better at listening to patients and made me a more empathetic clinician. I feel so privileged to have two careers that I love - both my career dreams came true!

Q: What’s your favourite under-appreciated Young Adult novel?
A: I'm not sure that they are necessarily under-appreciated, but I loved Lani Wendt Young's Telesa series. These are set in Samoa, and are great YA fantasy novels, with a strong sense of place and well drawn characters. I would love to see these translated to the big screen, or adapted for a TV series.

Indigo Moon, by Eileen Merriman is out now. If you’re quick into the shop you may be lucky enough to receive one of our signed copies!