Blood Moon: Interview

 An interview with Lucy Cuthew, author of Blood Moon

About the Book:

1.  How did you come up with the story of Blood Moon? 

I was doing a writing exercise for an MA in writing, and I started writing this confident girl, who is just walking down the streetm spotting this guy she fancies. She's into physics, she's clever, but she's also horny. Then I thought it would be really inconvenient if her period started right at that moment (I was thinking a lot around then about menstruation in fiction) and from there the whole story just sory of arrived in my head. 

2.  Why did you decide to write Blood Moon in verse?

I love verse novels. Poetry is a very intimate form, and so it felt perfect for the subject matter. Poetry can feel confessional, and bring the reader so close to the characters, which was needed for this very personal experience of a characer being online shamed over her period/sexual desire. I also sometimes find it hard to silence my inner-critic and let myself be creative. I found that the rhythm of writing it in this style was like laying train tracks ahead for myself. It helped me to silence the inner-editor and keep writing. 

3.  What part was the hardest to write? The beginning, middle or the end?

I found the beginning the hardest. I think I reqrote the opening poem about twnty times with different places and scenerios. I had the character's voice, and I had already written the middle, end and most of the first part, but the first lines of a book are so important. It's a good that the book is printed now, because if it wasn't I'd still be tinkering with the first page. 

 

4.  Who was your favorite character from Blood Moon?

Harriet was the most fun to write, but I also have a huge soft spot for Frankie's dad.

5.   Where can readers purchase Blood Moond? 

There are links to all the big outlets you can buy it from here: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/653907/blood-moon-by-lucy-cuthew/

but of course buying it from your local indie would make me very happy.

About You:

1.    If you won a prize for something, what would it be and why? 

Talking. Give me a call and an hour later you will see why...

2.    If a director wanted to make Blood Moon into a movie and wanted you to act in it, who would you be and why?

Can I play Mr. B? No? Okay, I guess I'll be Frankie's mum then.

3.    What are some of your favorite tv shows or movies?

Flea Bag, I May Destroy You (both Brithish, both written by brilliant, funny women), Broad City, The Walking Dead, Stranger Things, Orange is the New Black, Big Mouth

4.    If you could have dinner with any 3 people (fictional, real or dead), who would it be? 

Dr. Jen Gunter, Michaela Coel, Jon Ronson, Yuvan Noah Harari. Okay, now you've made me think about that, how do we make that happen?