Blog tour: Torn - Interview

Hey guys, today I would like to introduce to you David Massey, debut author of Torn.

A few weeks ago I was fortunate enough to actually meet David in person for an interview, thanks to the lovely people at Chicken house who arranged it for us! so, here's how it went down!

About the book

What made you want to write a book set in the middle of a war zone?

-Originally I wanted to write something with Valkyries - warrior women from Norse mythology who carried the souls of slain warriors to Valhalla - something that was real world but with a slightly other world feel to it. It did change a lot from that idea but still had the feel of war and something a little otherwordly.

Ellie becomes a medic and 'signs-up,' why do you think she has such a need to help people?

-I think because she has a deep concern for people and at the time she had seen statistics for young people in the army and was seeing just how many people were dying over there, so she wanted to help. 

If there was a soundtrack for Torn, what song do you think would fit it best?

-Folding stars by Biffy Clyro is what comes to mind first, I would listen to that a lot when I was writing it and it's a track I just think fits the book really well, especially as it mentions Elinor.

 Tensions are often high in the book, with a lot of battle scenes, were the intense scenes difficult to write?

-I don't think they were really, I found them easy to write. For me, the hardest thing was writing a girl, particularly with the romance side of things.

Ellie seems to have an instant connection with Husna and becomes very protective. Do you think he reminded her of her brother?

-Yes, I think he does, that's why I mentioned him [Jake]. Husna is younger than her brother but I really liked that relationship.

About you

You obviously seem to know about the weapons and technology the army uses, Did you have to do a lot of research before?

-Yes, a lot of my research was done on the internet but I also had some experience when I worked in Africa at a radio station, feeling the atmosphere and I saw young soldiers with guns there.

Why did you decide to write a female narrative instead of male?

-Because there were already so many books out there like this that were told by male characters, and I think because the subject was war, I wanted to tell it from a female. 

Torn is your debut novel, had you always wanted to write?

-Well, I suppose really I'm a musician but that's such a hard market to get into, I mainly just play for myself now.

What's next for you?

 -I am working on another book, it's set in Uganda, it's about some kids that are on a trip in Africa and are kidnapped... and that's all I can say about that right now.

I loved the comraderie between the characters, was this based on any real friendships you have?

-I suppose it was at the end of the day, some came from my kids and some from people I've worked with here and in the States, but the rest is made up!

Random

What's your favourite fruit?

-Banana 

CDs or MP3s?

-MP3s, they're easier. 

Why is a boxing ring square?

-(Laughs) I don't know!

If you could go to outer space, which planet would you visit?

-Mars, because it is a possibility, they're already making plans to go there.

Are you a Bookaholic?

-I suppose I am! I don't think I'm as much of a Bookaholic as you but I do read a lot of books.

 And there you have it, I just want to say a huge thank you to David for meeting with me and being a guest here at Bookaholics, we may not have figuring out why a boxing ring is square but he was a genuinely nice guy and I hope you'll all pick up a copy of Torn!

David Massey is the author of TORN by Chicken House Books. When he is not writing his next novel he plays lead and classical guitar and runs an internet business with his wife, Debi. When he’s not doing any of those he’ll be thinking about walking Harvey or wondering where his next coffee is coming from...

You can chat to David on Twitter or find him on Facebook.

Torn - Check out my review HERE

Afghanistan. In the heat and dust, young British army medic Elinor Nielson watches an Afghan girl walk into a hail of bullets. But when she runs to help, Ellie finds her gone. Who is she? And what's happened to her? What Ellie discovers makes her question everything she believes in, even her feelings for the American lieutenant who takes her side.