Claire Buss and I met through social media. She interviewed me for her blog and I’m returning the favor. Her books look interesting and are on my to read list.
Author Bio
Claire Buss is a multi-genre author and poet based in the UK. 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.
Tell us about yourself.
Hi! I’m Claire, a stay at home mum and multi-genre author. By day I wrangle my little monsters and by night I attempt to wrangle words. I love to read, drink tea and eat cake.
When did you know you wanted to be an author?
I’ve always wanted to write but felt for a long time that I just couldn’t. It wasn’t until I joined a Writers Workshop at my local library that I began to gain the confidence to write and share my words with others. I’ve always loved to read and explore my own imagination, but I still have to pinch myself sometimes when other people tell me they enjoy reading my books lol.
What genres do you like to read? Are these the same genres you write in?
My go to genres are fantasy and sci-fi but I will read anything, apart from horror. An overactive imagination means that horror stories scare me too much! I belong to several book clubs so I’m always trying something new and I like that they push me to try different things. I have a firm 50 pages rule – if I’m not enjoying the book by that point then I move on to something else.
Is your book for adults, young adults or children?
My books are mainly for adults although younger readers would probably enjoy my humorous fantasy Roshaven books.
What is your current release or project?
My current book is The Gaia Solution, book 3 in The Gaia Collection, my hopeful dystopia series, and it’s out today in paperback and ebook. I’m really excited to have finished writing this trilogy especially as book one was my debut novel, so it feels like a real achievement.
Tell us about the key characters
I have several main characters because they are a group of friends. Kira and Jed Jenkins, Martha Hamble, Ruth Maddocks, Dina Grey and Max Carter. Now that we’re in book three, things have changed dramatically for all of them but their friendship has remained strong.
What is your blurb or synopsis of the book?
Kira, Jed and their friends have fled New Corporation and joined the Resistance, but their relief is short-lived as they discover how decimated the human race has become and learn of an environmental crisis that threatens to destroy their existence. Kira and Jed must travel up the mountain to the New Corporation stronghold, City 50, to bargain for sanctuary while Martha and Dina risk everything to return to City 42 and save those who are left. With the last of her reserves Gaia, the fading spirit of the Earth uses her remaining influence to guide Kira and her friends but ultimately, it’s up to humanity to make the right choice.
Share an excerpt.
Zac stood in his office and scanned the briefing file in front of him, looking up briefly as Colonel Archer arrived. He was aware of her standing to his left but said nothing as he finished looking over the report.
‘So, not what we’d hoped, Archer.’
‘No, Sir. Fewer groups of refugees are arriving. I don’t think there will be many more. We can clear cities 24, 30 and 11 from the board. They’re not viable.’
Zac glanced at the map on the wall. It was accurate as they had been able to make it. Everyone who arrived at their camp was questioned carefully to determine which city they came from, which cities they passed and other important environmental information.
‘You can take 36 off the map, as well as 15.’
‘Were they both destroyed by New Corp?’
‘No. 36 is full of radiation, it won’t be safe to inhabit for decades to come. Shame really, a stronghold in the mountains would have been a tactical advantage.’
‘Not when you read the latest report, Sir.’ Archer bit her lip as she waited for her superior to catch up on the results of weeks of investigation. She caught herself tapping her fingers impatiently and held back the urge to speak before he’d finished reading. Finally, Zac put the handheld down and leaned heavily on the desk in front of him.
‘The entire country?’
‘That’s what it looks like, Sir.’
‘And the calculations are correct?’
‘To the best of our knowledge.’ Archer paused. ‘Who are the people you brought with you, Sir?’
Zac pushed himself to standing and began ticking names off his fingers. ‘Artem you know. From City 42 we have their former rebel leader, Martha Hamble with her son as well as Archivist Kira Jenkins and former Force detective Jed Jenkins with their children. Dr Max Carter and Dina Grey are scientists, originally from Camp Eden, and Ash is one of Jed’s men.’
‘Perhaps their scientists can independently verify the data for us. It might also make them join our cause, when they know some of the facts.’
‘I don’t think we need to worry about whether they will join or not. None of them are pro New Corp.’
‘How do you know, Sir?’
Zac closed down his info wall, indicating that he wanted to leave the room, and Archer came with him as he swiped to exit.
‘New Corp wiped out Artem’s complex…’
‘Yes, we know that, Sir.’ Archer interrupted.
‘Kira’s parents were there. As was one of the new mothers from City 42. With her child.’
Wide-eyed, Archer paled and took a step back.
‘Are they all… dead?’
‘Completely annihilated. I don’t think we need to be worried about them being motivated to help us. We might have to hold them back.’ Zac gestured at the discarded handheld on the table. ‘Make sure they get a copy of your latest report. I want them to have all the facts.’
Do you have a favorite scene?
I really like the ending of The Gaia Solution. It felt right when I was writing it and I’m pleased where the characters have ended up. There are actually lots of scenes I love but I can’t tell you about them because of *spoilers*!
What advice would you give a beginner?
Never give up! Never surrender! If you want to write, make time for it and understand that when you get to the end of your story, that’s not the end of your author journey.
Social media links:
Facebook – www.facebook.com/busswriter
Twitter – www.twitter.com/grasshopper2407
Instagram – @grasshopper2407
Other – https://www.goodreads.com/author/dashboard
Blog link – http://butidontlikesalad.blogspot.com/
Purchasing links – tinyurl.com/clairebussbooks