Claire Buss is an award-winning multi-genre author and poet. She wanted to be Lois Lane when she grew up but work experience at her local paper was eye-opening. Instead, Claire went on to work in a variety of admin roles for over a decade but never felt quite at home. An avid reader, baker, and Pinterest addict, Claire won second place in the Barking and Dagenham Pen to Print writing competition in 2015 with her debut novel, The Gaia Effect, setting her writing career in motion. She continues to write passionately and is hopelessly addicted to cake.
Claire is also the host of the popular “A Slice Of Cake With Claire” blog, where she interviews other authors. Today, we are pulling a reverse-slice-of-cake, and turning her own questions back upon her.
What kind of stories do you write?
I write a variety of different things – hopeful dystopia, slice of life, humorous fantasy and poetry. I like to write about people and how they interact, the funny little things that happen and also a bit of adventure.
Can you describe your writing why?
I love telling stories plus I have to do something about the character voices in my head lol. Sometimes the words flow and other times it’s like trying to get blood out of a stone. Writing is not an easy, peaceful experience for me – it’s a battle and I’m fully armed!
Share with us your favourite passage from the book you enjoyed writing the most
Excerpt from The Interspecies Poker Tournament, my humorous fantasy novella:
‘No, thank you, Ma’am.’ Ned tried again with the brownie. ‘What happened here?”As I was trying to tell you fifty million times, he’s killed Kevin! I don’t know why that is so difficult for you to comprehend but there it is – dead as a gnorlax – and all we’re getting is persecution for being loud! Kevin is dead. Where is the compassion? The sympathy? The cake?’ The chief was so indignant that his jowls quivered.’Cake? I can ring for some if you like, if it would help.’ Lady Shillot hovered helpfully.’If you wouldn’t mind, Ma’am,’ replied Ned. Then he did a double take. ‘Do you speak Brownese?”Oh no. That’s not one of my languages, I’m afraid. Daddy didn’t think we should learn anything irregular.”So ‘ow did you know ‘e wanted cake?’ asked Jenni.’They always want cake, those things. Poor Cookie is in a dreadful state, always having to bake sweets. She never gets to do much savoury.’
Tell us about your latest project
I am currently writing The Silk Thief, a humorous fantasy novel from my Roshaven series – the first book is The Rose Thief and The Interspecies Poker Tournament is from the same world. I have a fair idea of plot but it needs a bit more hammering and the first draft is currently in the teeth pulling stage but sooner or later the characters will start talking to me and the book will flow again. They can’t ignore me forever!
What is your favourite cake?
I am a fan of the classic – Victoria sponge, all the way.
Where can we find you online?
And here are the links to the books I mentioned:
- The Rose Thief – https://books2read.com/u/bQaxw6
- The Interspecies Poker Tournament- https://books2read.com/u/m2Vk0R
