Author interview with Philippa BallantineOver the last years I have been reading quite a few books of Phillipa Ballantine, starting with the series; Books of the Order and later the Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences. The Books of the Order is an take on Epic Fantasy taking a bit of ghostbusters in the mix, opposite to this is the Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences which is an electrifying steampunk series. Philippa Ballantine's latest series: Shifter Worlds takes readers back to the trusted Epic/High Fantasy setting. Each of these three series are solid reading material. What I have come to learn from Philippa Ballantine's works is that her writing style is the key to everything, I am not saying that the stories are boring, more on the cotnrary they are interesting and keep you glued to the pages. But her writing style, the prose that she uses somehow transforms these magical stories into a completely new ones and makes them easy to get lost into. I really have to recommend her books. And with three great series there must be something for you to like!
Author bio:
New Zealand born fantasy writer and podcaster Philippa (Pip) Ballantine is the author of the Books of the Order and the Shifted World series. She is also the co-author with her husband Tee Morris of the Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences novels. Her awards include an Airship, a Parsec, the Steampunk Chronicle Reader’s Choice, and a Sir Julius Vogel. She currently resides in Manassas, Virginia with her husband, daughter, and a furry clowder of cats.
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Hi Philippa,
Welcome to The Book Plank and for taking your time to answer these few
questions.
BP: First off could
you give us an introduction as to who Philippa Ballantine is? What are your
hobbies, likes and dislikes?
PB: I am a writer
and podcaster, born and raised in Wellington, New Zealand. About three years
ago I moved to Virginia to marry, my husband, author Tee Morris. As you can
imagine I am a big fan of travel, which I get to indulge now and then. I like
cats and dislike rain…that could also be related.
BP: If you would
have to sell the Shifted World series with a single sentence how would it go?
PB: A woman must
chose between her heart-felt revenge and the fate of the world.
BP: Shifted Worlds
in your latest series, prior to this you have written or are still busy with
two other series in different genres, what gave you the idea to write the
Shifted Worlds?
PB: Shifted World originally came from living in
New Zealand. Growing up right on the
Ring of Fire, and learning to live with earthquakes makes you aware that the
so-called solid earth beneath your feet, isn’t. So the concept of a world that
was constantly moving, enough for the people to be aware of it, was born. After
that thinking about the people that would
populate that world, and the problems they would encounter made for interesting
musings.
BP: A lot of the
current books all steer into a few genres and you don’t often see Epic/high
Fantasy books anymore, why did you wanted to write in this genre?
PB: The delight of
epic fantasy is that you totally get to indulge all your wildest dreams of
creation. You get to construct the society, the weather, everything. That kind
of scope is exhilarating to an author.
BP: Were you able
you use any tips or tricks that you learned from your other books when you were
writing the Shifted World books?
PB: A lot of the
character building, and thinking about character motivations were related to
what I had learned in the Books of the Order.
BP: Even though
Hunter and Fox wasn’t your debut, it was the first in your new series, did you
still encounter any problems when you were starting up?
PB: I had to prune
back some of my larger worldbuilding ideas. Conhaero has a much wider history,
populated with many unusual cultures. I had to restrain myself from going off
on a tangent with them, and stick with the story of Talyn and Finn, which is
the central story.
BP: What was the
hardest part in writing the Shifted World series so far?
PB: Building a
character like Talyn, who is both hero and anti-hero some of the time. I wanted
to make her dark, but have redeeming features. I hope people find her worth
getting to know, and even if she doesn’t make the best decisions all the time,
why she does them is still understandable.
BP: Besides the
hardest part, which part of the series did you enjoy writing the most?
PB: I was glad to
be able to tackle writing dragons. As a fantasy author they are a trope that
can be rather frightening to take on, since so many have before. I didn’t want
to try writing them until I had worked out a new and interesting angle for
them. I wanted to convey the awe and majesty of a dragon, but give them my own
twist. The connection between the chaotic creatures the Kindred, and the dragon
was one that became central to how the dragons work.
BP: Ok a bit of an
evil question: looking at your other works, which series so far do you like the
most?
PB: I always enjoy
the one I am currently working on the most, otherwise there is really no point
in doing it. So on my computer right now I am working on a book called Immortal
Progeny, which is most definitely epic fantasy, and peopled with gods and
monsters. At the moment it is still percolating, but it is nearly ready to
release into the world.
BP: Kindred and Wings is the second book in
the Shifted World series and leaves the story open for continuation, will you
be wrapping the series up with a trilogy or have you gotten more stories mapped
out?
PB: I absolutely
have more adventures for Talyn and Finn mapped out. We’ll see how that pans out
as far as novels or short stories.
BP: Besides the
Shifted World series you still have two other series open for continuation, do
you have any more new ideas that you wish to pursue in the future?
PB: The Books of
the Order have been completed, though I am still dabbling in producing short
fiction set in that world. The Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences has two more
novels to come out, but again I can’t keep away from the short fiction. I think
that is the best way to scratch that itch without committing to a whole new
novel!
I have a series set
in New Zealand, that is historical fantasy that will be my first project of the
new year.
BP: Everyone enjoys
science fiction and fantasy in their own way, what do you like most about reading
and writing it?
PB: I love the
freedom of imagination. As a kid I started reading my Dad’s books, and I was
immediately sucked into the genre. It took me away from my little New Zealand
world, to places where all kinds of issues and possibilities could be explored.
That feeling hasn’t really changed since I started writing in it at thirteen,
and continues today. I don’t believe there is another genre that offers so much
to writers and readers.
BP: And just
lastly, if you would have to recommend you top 5 favourite books, which would
they be?
PB:Wild Seed by
Octavia Butler, opened my eyes to the other, and the writing is just beautiful.
Sheepfarmer’s
Daughter by Elizabeth Moon. This was a game changer for me. When I read this I
knew how I wanted to write female characters; real, making mistakes, but with
an inner core of steel.
Red Shirts by John
Scalzi, just a great fun book. I love how it flirts with fandom but somehow
still manages not to tip over into total fan service.
The Stress of Her
Regard by Tim Powers Anything with my favourite romantic poets in it has a lead
in my eyes, but the feel of this book is just delicious.
The Lies of Locke
Lamora by Scott Lynch. A book that manages to be both gritty and fun.
BP: Thank you for
your time Philippa and good luck with your future books, I will be looking
forward to them!