I had the privilege of interviewing this awesome writer, Kaylena Radcliff and learning more about her book, Mouse. Check it out below!
Mouse wakes not knowing who or where she is. Only the searing pain of the number 146 being burned on her arm. A slave in Misty Summit’s Manufacturing Facility, she is alone until the discovery of a terrible truth launches her on a mission to Elmnas. When a gregarious farm boy and an ancient warrior join her, the ruling powers and a relentless bounty hunter attempt to track her down.
Will they reach the fabled country or die trying?
Buy the Book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1928094538
What is your favorite part about being a writer?
There is so much to love about being a writer, but I think my favorite part has to be world building. I can’t think of anything more immersing than creating a new fantastical world, full of its own peoples and places and potential. For me as the writer, the only limit is myself!
How do you get inspired to write?
I’ve been a writer for as long I can remember- in fact, I even have a whole box of these little stories I wrote starting from when I was 6! As I got older, I pursued other career paths, but I think deep down I always knew I just wanted to write. Key teachers and professors pushed me to pursue writing seriously as they recognized my talent and encouraged me to take it farther. I’m so thankful for that- honestly, I don’t think I would have been able to work through my stumblings and failings on the path to publication otherwise!
Where did you get the idea for your book?
Mouse sprung out of this soul-crushing job I had the summer between my sophomore and junior years of college. I was working 10 hour days in a manufacturing plant, and I spent the majority of those hours doing mundane, tedious tasks. To be fair, it was a fine company with a lot of opportunities for advancement, but I kept imagining what it would be like to be forced into an industrial setting like that under the rule of masters with nefarious purposes. When I took a creative writing course the following year, I chose to explore that story for the final project, pairing that setting with some conspiracy theories. I finished the story, and realized it begged to be expanded even further. I wrote the first novel of The Elmnas Chronicles about a year after I graduated.
Who is your favorite character from your book?
I almost feel bad, but my favorite character is the antagonist Arctura Fox! She is the cruel, deadly bounty hunter on our heroes’ trail. While she makes her appearance later in the first novel, she gets a starring role in Fox, book two of the series (which is with the publisher now!)
What are your favorite YA Fantasy reads?
The Harry Potter series was my gateway to YA Fantasy, and the books remain my favorite in the genre. I also count The Hunger Games trilogy in there, as it helped sparked the trend of dystopia in YA fantasy fiction. Currently, I really love the Dragon School series by Sarah K.L. Wilson.
About the Author:
Kaylena Radcliff is a magazine editor, pastor’s wife, mother, and indefatigable world builder. As such, she subsists almost entirely on coffee and prayer. A voracious reader and prolific writer from an early age, Kaylena was deeply influenced by the likes of C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, and Flannery O’Connor. She dabbles in many genres, but most loves writing and reading speculative and fantasy fiction. Aside from writing, Kaylena loves discussing history, theology, and all things nerdy. Despite extended trips abroad and the passport to prove it, she never did manage to escape her Pennsylvanian hometown. In true hobbit fashion, she happily resides there with her husband and two young children.
Connect with her online:
Email: https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/k6y2d7
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kaylenaradcliff/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kaylenaradcliff/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8320328.Kaylena_Radcliff
That’s a cool story premise!
I thought so too! It’s fascinating.