Eden Maguire
About Author
Eden Maguire graduated from Birmingham University with a PhD in English Lit and now lives in the Yorkshire Dales with her two daughters, her horse, Merlin, plus a dog and a cat. She spends part of each year at a ranch in Colorado, where she rides alone in the mountains her idea of perfect happiness. Whenever she can, she loves to indulge her passion for travel and take in the worlds major cities, from New York to Nairobi where she can be found in the churches and temples, the galleries and sculpture parks, and occasionally in the designer boutiques of Fifth Avenue and the Champs Elysees. Back at home, Edens interests include cinema and theatre, plus art history and painting.
Interview
* What inspired the idea of 'something in between' for the Beautiful Dead?
Not alive, not dead. I'm fascinated by the journey after death. I don't believe death is the end. One of the greatest pieces of writing of all time - Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights - shows Cathy's spirit haunting Heathcliff so strongly that she seems to be a physical presence. He can't bear to lose her, so he begs her to haunt him. That depth of passion has been an inspiration for my own writing.
* I understand that the abandoned farmstead is a real one. Can you describe it? Did it also feel like it was full of ghosts?
You should see this place! It sits in a valley with mountains all around. The only access is on horseback. A stream runs by the front door. And the barn is amazing. It's huge. There's a pair of deer antlers nailed over the doorway. Inside, there are farm tools and horse harnesses from way back. Everything is covered in dust.You look at the rakes and shovels and think, 'Dead people worked with these. They harnessed their horses with the ancient tack and rode out in the freezing cold winter to fetch supplies.' So, yes - there are ghosts for sure!
* Why did you set the book in the US?
I spend a lot of time there. The vast spaces and remoteness of some of the places I visit in Colorado seemed the perfect setting for these stories.
* Have you ever seen a ghost yourself or had paranormal experiences you can describe?
Once, but it's a very personal, private thing connected with family loss. It's not something I talk about.
* I like the idea of the Beautiful Dead, but how do you respond to comparisons with Twilight, in terms of the plot?
First - Honestly, I've never read Twilight, or seen the movie. I know the basic premise, of course. Second - I'm glad you like the idea. I researched zombies pretty carefully and quickly decided that the gory stuff wasn't for me. I kept what I liked about the myth - their super-hearing and immense strength, their lack of free will, and of course the figure of the overlord.
* Will the books progress focused on each of the Beautiful Dead's mysterious deaths?
Exactly! In the second book I switch to Arizona, who's hard to like but there are reasons for the way she acts ... Some things stay the same though - Darina and Phoenix's love affair moves on, Hunter's role as overlord.strengthens.
* I may have missed something, but if they can travel back in time, can't they solve the mysteries without Darina?
Yes, the Beautiful Dead can time travel, BUT it's painful and takes up an enormous amount of energy. Afterwards they have to withdraw from the far side to recover. Besides, it's dangerous because they might be spotted by far siders.
* Will all the deaths be linked in some way?
The answer's no. Each death is separate, only linked by the coincidence of the kids attending the same high school, which makes Darina the thread that holds them together.
* What do you enjoy about writing for teens?
This is a tough question. Maybe it's the attraction of writing about raw emotions. Teenagers are going through experiences that interest me - first love, breaking away from parents, finding their place in the world. And I love the fact that their opinions on everything are so strong and heartfelt.
*What were your teenage years like? Rebellious? Solitary? Full of friendships/first love?
I was a mess! So shy I could hardly talk to boys. I turned it into stand-offishness, and yes rebellion. Image meant a lot to me - you can look but don't touch! Such hard work.
Any tattoos? Are you tempted by the wings?
So-o-o tempted. A tiny one at the base of my spine. But no.
* How important is travel to you? Is that what inspires your writing?
I've travelled in the US, Africa, India and Europe. Every place you visit you can be a new person. No one knows anything about you - you can reinvent yourself or pick out the best bits and only put that on show. Yes, it's great. And travel provides settings for the books.
* Do you also have another job/career?
Writing is my only way of earning a living. Scary!
* What would you choose to be if not a writer?
A cowgirl - seriously! I could work on a ranch and meet a cowboy who looked like Brad Pitt. How shallow is that!
* Your other interests?
Getting on planes, like I said. Fashion, films, friends in no particular order.
