Grilling Thriller Authors: Q&A with Alison Stockham
In this series, I carry out hard-hitting interviews with psychological thriller authors, where I ask them… just a bunch of silly questions, actually. This month, it’s Alison Stockham‘s turn in the hot seat.
Which emoji do you use most often?
It would probably be the laughing emoji, as life can be unintentionally hilarious, and I do try to find the positives in every situation.
If your writing muse were an animal, what would it be?
I think, ideally, it’d be a bear – I like to disappear into my “writing cave” and work, nap, eat, repeat. However, real life doesn’t allow for that, so in reality, it’d probably be an octopus, so I can be researching or plotting one book, editing another, marketing a third, doing childcare, housework and all the things I’d have enough arms to do!
What’s your go-to karaoke song? (Bonus points if it’s terrifying.)
Probably some power ballad like Don’t Stop Believing by Journey – sung loudly and with more enthusiasm than talent!
How do you celebrate small wins in your writerly life, like finishing a draft?
I definitely celebrate each stage, as the writing process is long, often lonely and filled with self-doubt. It can be anything from a glass of wine or a treat like a massage. I tend to celebrate publication day with a meal out with my family, as they’ve had to live with me while I write the books! But, also, it looks like taking a moment to look at how far you’ve come. It can be easy to move the goalposts so often that you never appreciate your progress, so celebrating small wins is the way to go.
Is there a true crime case or real-life mystery you’re deeply fascinated by?
I do wonder what happened to the Marie Celeste. Disappearances always fascinate me – how do people just vanish into thin air? My debut novel, The Cuckoo Sister has a character that does just that and I know from my work on a TV show, Reunited, where we worked with Missing Persons, just how many people do just… disappear.
What are your non-book-related hobbies?
I crochet (badly) and I love to go to live events – whether that’s festivals, book events, music gigs or comedy. I love the calm of one and the energy of the other!
You discover a random door. Where are you hoping it leads?
Italy. Always Italy.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received (writing advice or life advice)?
It’s got to be someone, why not you? Every time imposter syndrome pops up (and it does, often), I remind myself of this, though I’m ashamed to say I cannot remember who said it to me. It was from when I was trying to break into film and TV production as a career, which is what I did before I had children. Also, Brené Brown’s quote, ”When we make the choice to dare greatly, we sign up to get our asses kicked” – is very helpful come review time!
Tell us about your latest novel in one sentence.
When Libby disappears, her best friend Hannah is distraught. Let Her Go is about the complexities of female friendships and what can happen when they go wrong.
