Jan Surasky's Dying Light revealed
1.
Welcome to my blog Jan. Can you tell us the story
behind the story. How did Rage Against
the Dying Light come to be?
While I was researching an entirely different topic, I came across the
entry on Boudicca to which I was immediately drawn. I was impressed with her
courage and the beautiful and tragic life she had lived. I knew I wanted to
tell her story.
2.
I have a great fondness for Boudicca. What was the most
challenging aspect of writing Rage
Against the Dying Light?
Imagining Boudicca’s story based on the very few facts available and
trying to get it right was the greatest challenge. I wanted to do justice to
the society and culture in which she lived. Also I wanted to depict the
beautiful English countryside which so inspired her courage.
3.
What is the message
you want readers to take away from your book?
I want readers to see that although Boudicca was a queen, she was also
under the same constraints as any human. I want to show that courage lies in
all of us to be tapped when necessary.
4. How would you describe your
background?
I have worked for a San Francisco daily newspaper as a book reviewer,
movie reviewer and entertainment writer. My many articles and short stories
have been published in national, regional and local magazines and newspapers.
5. What about your
writing schedule. Do you outline? Do you have any special writing habits?
I write every day. I do not outline but for this book, I had a one word
chapter heading for my use only as a guide. I edit my work daily.
6.
What books are on
your nightstand? What are you currently reading?
The
book on my nightstand is a book of Hemingway’s letters recently released from
Cuba and so far unpublished. The book I have enjoyed the most this year is The Elephant’s Journey by Jose
Saramango.
7.
Which authors
inspire you?
Many authors have inspired me including the authors of the many fairy
tales I have read, Louisa May Alcott, Frances Hodgson Burnett, Thomas Hardy and
Ernest Hemingway.
8.
What have you
learned from this experience?
I have learned that a woman who summoned her courage inspired so many.
9.
What is your advice
for aspiring writers?
My advice to aspiring writers is to hang in there, be true to your work and
believe in it, and never give up.
10.
Thank you Jan. And one final question. What are you
working on now?
My
second novel Back to Jerusalem is in
the launching stage and I am working on a third novel.
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