Episode 16 Conversations over Milk & Cookies - Rachel Medhurst

Welcome to Episode 16 of Conversations over Milk & Cookies hosted by Kindle Ninja.

What is this madness, you ask? 

It's my way of supporting authors and writers from the RAVE REVIEWS BOOK CLUB. 

We interact with them everyday, directly through tweets, or indirectly through re-tweets, but we don't really know much about them. Their personalities really don't shine through in 140 characters.

All the EPISODES of Conversations over Milk & Cookies can be found HERE.  Or you can just look to your right and you'll find the Quick Links.

In this episode, we feature AUTHOR RACHEL MEDHURST (@rachelmedhurst). She's the author of 'The Deadliners'.

Let's get to know Rachel in more than 140 characters, shall we?

KINDLE NINJA (KN):  Welcome to Conversations over Milk and Cookies. How do you like your cookies? Chewy? Crunchy? Crumbly? Something else?

I like my cookies crunchy on the outside but chewy in the middle. I really fancy some now so thanks for inviting me.

Do you put Marmite in your cookies?

I’ve never tried this, but I’m a Marmite lover, so I will make sure I do.

Your novel “The Deadliners” will be officially launched on 12th of May. Are you excited? Describe what you’re feeling in three words.

Weird, amazing and Cowabunga!  

What’s your game plan for the launch? (book signing, appearance, contests, etc.)

I have an online Facebook launch event happening on the 13th May, anyone is welcome! There will be fun, games and prizes. I’ve also got my first video interview to go up on a local online news site, so I’m a bit nervous about that :)

“TheDeadiners” touches on the concept of ‘life after death’ and the difficulty of ‘letting go’.  Where’d you get the idea for the story? 

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I’m one of those writers that can sit down and just start to type. I almost see it as channelled writing because I hardly ever have an idea of what the story is about or how it will turn out before I get going. I just tend to put my fingers to the keys and the words, story and characters, come to life without much conscious thought. The Deadliners was inspired by a contest with a tiny paragraph prompt to start. I just started writing and the concept was born.

How important is the choice of character names in your novel  (or any novel for that matter). [The Deadliners  has quite an ensemble]

The Deadliners has five main characters and some other smaller ones. I find names have got to suit the character’s personality otherwise I can’t see their faces clearly. This is very important to me when trying to create who they are.

If your novel “The Deadliners” would be made into a movie, who do you want to play the main character/s? 

Oh, I love this question! I think I’d like Gerard Butler to play Danny, the leader of the group. I’d have Emily Blunt as Anna. I think Jim Sturgess would make a great Charlie.  Reese could be Max Irons and Milly could be played by Romola Garai. I was on the internet looking for the best people for half an hour with this question, so much fun! Do you think they’ll let me do the casting when the film rights are sold? ;)

KINDLE NINJA: They'd probably ask you but they'd cast somebody else lol  ... And you had me at Emily Blunt.  

What’s the book you wished you’d written?

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. Great book and inspired people the way I hope to.

What’s the book that positively shaped you?

The Far Away Tree by Enid Blyton. I read this at a very young age and I’m sure it’s what made me want to write. I loved the crazy characters…

I’d assume I’m the person you’d want to drink Milk with (since you agreed to this interview), but who’s the person you’d want to have coffee / beverage with?

I’m more of a hot chocolate drinker than a coffee drinker and I’d love to have one with the Dalai Lama. I know a huge amount of inspiration would come from sharing a hot chocolate with such a serene man.

How do you feel about doughnuts without holes?

I’m British so jam doughnuts all the way! I’m also partial to a custard one too. :)

What do you do to decompress?

I walk in nature with my dog. Nothing beats being surrounded by bluebells, birds and running water. Although my dog does like to bark at the water!

If you had a tattoo where would it be?

I have four tattoos! I have one on each wrist, one is a rose that goes onto my hand and the other is my own design. I have a small one on my back and a personal one representing my sisters on my ankle. They are all in black and shade and they’re very meaningful to me.

Can we see them?

Absolutely!

KINDLE NINJA: We’re waiting…

Do you have a favourite bedtime drink?

I’m boring, I just have water. I like to get a full night’s sleep :)

What was the last song you heard?

Happy by Pharrell Williams, I was dancing along in my kitchen while making dinner.

Can you sing a line from that song? 

Yes, I’m always singing. I even had some singing lessons recently, but I’m not sure if I’ll pull off Pharrell. Here goes: ‘Clap along, if you feel like that’s what you wanna do!’ Did you clap along?

KINDLE NINJA: I did. And danced like Pharrell.

What would you rather be doing now? (instead of answering these questions).

I wouldn’t mind being on a warm beach somewhere. I love the spring in Britain, but you can’t beat the warmth of the Mediterranean.

Which actress would you like to play YOU in the movie version of your life?

Interesting one! Angelina Jolie would be good I think. She seems to be a little weird (like me), quite tentative (like me), and stunning! (Okay, not quite like me, but we have similar hair!)

And who will direct the movie?

Tim Burton! I love his films and it means that Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter will be in it too.

If you were to take a Ninja out to dinner, what British food would you have him eat?

Fish and Chips of course! We’d go to the seaside and sit on a bench whilst dodging the seagulls.

KINDLE NINJA: Sounds good to me ;)

On a scale of 1 to 10, how excited are you about life right now?

It’s about an 8. I feel right on the edge of an exciting adventure. Not only with my book coming out but in every area of my life. My intuition is telling me that all sorts of dreams are about to come true!

Nicholas Sparks or Dan Brown?

Love Nicholas Sparks films and love Dan Brown’s books. Does that count?

KINDLE NINJA: It’s a tie then.

J.K. Rowling or Stephenie Meyer?

Stephenie Meyer for me. I’m a bit of a twilight fan!

Ninjas or Ghosts?

You can’t make me choose! I’m going to have to be loyal to my Deadliners and go with ghosts, but I dream about ninjas sometimes so I think I was a ninja in a past life. 

Thanks for your time. Hope you enjoyed the Q&A.