Today on Getting To Know... I have the pleasure of asking Denise Erguler, author of The Adventures Of Shifting Jack (which I was lucky enough to review back in July), questions.
Your first book was an adult read, but The Adventures of Shifting Jack you've gone for a children's book. What inspired you to make the transition from adult to children's fiction?
When I was writing The Essence, my adult novel, my son asked what I was writing about. I read him some excerpts from it, his eyes lit up when I started talking about the Shapeshifters and it occurred to me that this could be a subject for a children’s book, so I started Shifting Jack.
Jack and Lily in Shifting Jack have a really strong sibling bond. Were you lucky enough to have this kind of relationship if you have siblings and is it something you'd really like for your children?
I have three older brothers and I have great memories of us all playing and messing about together, even though they are four, six and eight years older than me. And we are all still close. It’s not quite the same story with my own children, now seven and ten, they fight like cat and dog. I was hoping the protectiveness Jack shows to his sister might rub off on my son. He does seem to have picked up on it a little bit!
The Adventures of Shifting Jack centres around shape shifters. What draws you to shape shifters and why birds instead of the usual cat or wolf?
I love the idea of shape-shifters. I would love to be able to shape-shift, who wouldn’t! Shape-shifters are loyal, honest, good people, all the characteristics I admire. Physically they are tall, muscular and good looking. They also have the advantage of regeneration, they live longer and heal quickly, all qualities which I’m sure appeal to us all. My husband is quite heavily involved in the protection of birds here in Cyprus, so it seemed appropriate to have Jack shifting into a bird. Future books will feature other types of shifter, the one I’m working on now involves wolves.
When you're writing, do you have a set routine that you have to follow?
No real routine, but usually I wait for when the kids are in bed, then I put on some classical music and start writing.
When you're not writing, what would we find you doing?
Working in my family’s shop in North Cyprus. We sell furniture and material and offer a reupholstering service. When I’m not doing that, I’m being a mum… a chauffeur, cook, helping with homework…
What is your favourite part about being an author?
I get to live in the world I’ve created and the joy of seeing other people reading and enjoying something I have written.
Did you always know that you wanted to be an author or was there something else you wanted to do growing up?
As a kid, I wanted to be a wacky inventor.
Do you have a favourite author?
I have quite a few favourite authors, S E Smith, Eva Langlais, Lauren Dohner, M K Eidem, Jennifer Estep and Maria V Snyder.
If you could give your younger self any advice about your writing career, what would it be?
Make more notes, character notes, I didn’t for Shifting Jack and now I need to go back and make them!
What can we look forward to seeing from you in the future and when can we expect the sequel to The Adventures of Shifting Jack?
I am now working on a sequel for Shifting Jack, not sure yet when it will be ready to publish and I’m also looking to bring the first book out in hard copy as I’ve had lots of requests for a physical copy.
Thank you so much to Denise for joining me on my blog and answering my questions!
To connect with Denise
Twitter @Denise_Jack16
To pick up a copy of The Adventures Of Shifting Jack click here
If you want to also check out my review of Shifting Jack, you'll find it here.
The Adventures Of Shifting Jack synopsis
Jack has always known that he and his little sister, Lily, are different to other children, but he doesn’t know why – until the family moves to North Cyprus.
Jack thinks he’s going to like it here; school is okay, he makes new friends, and Lily is happy too. Then one afternoon, Jack and Lily are involved in an earthquake and their world is turned upside down. Jack not only finds out his dad isn’t exactly his dad, but that none of his family is exactly human either…
The whole family is thrown into danger, and Jack knows it’s his job to protect Lily, whatever that takes. In pursuit of illegal animal hunters, a strange school teacher, and the truth, Jack does his best – but he is only nine years old, will his best be good enough?
Jack thinks he’s going to like it here; school is okay, he makes new friends, and Lily is happy too. Then one afternoon, Jack and Lily are involved in an earthquake and their world is turned upside down. Jack not only finds out his dad isn’t exactly his dad, but that none of his family is exactly human either…
The whole family is thrown into danger, and Jack knows it’s his job to protect Lily, whatever that takes. In pursuit of illegal animal hunters, a strange school teacher, and the truth, Jack does his best – but he is only nine years old, will his best be good enough?
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