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2008 Haunted Hearths and Sapphic Shades interview with author Kaite Welsh. See the Sacchi Green post for more general information about the book.
Can you talk a bit about your inspiration for your story "City of the Dead"?
I did my undergraduate degree in Edinburgh, and one of the first things I did there was go on one of the many supposedly haunted tours of the old city - there really is a whole underground city beneath the one I was living in. I heard a lot of stories about some of the weird things that happened on the tours - people passing out, mysterious scratches beneath clothing, someone even died whilst trying to perform an exorcism. I always wanted to put it into a story, but never got around to it until last year.
Have you ever had an encounter with a ghost?
No, but I've had an encounter with a ghost tour guide. Does that count?
What's your favorite ghost story (you can pick a movie if you prefer)?
I scare very easily - I managed to terrify myself writing my own story - so I tend to stay away from creepy films. I suppose my favourite kind of story is something like Sarah Water's Affinity, where the really scary thing is the tricks your mind (or someone else's) plays on you.
What are you working on now and where can readers find out more about you?
I'm currently working on a Young Adult fantasy novel set in 19th century Wales - the working title is A Tyrant Spell, taken from a poem by Emily Bronte. It weaves together magic, the industrial revolution, madness and love. It's sort of a coming-of-age novel and I'm actually heading off to the Black Mountains to do some research tomorrow.
I haven't gotten around to getting an author's website yet, but I have a blog on wordpress where I geek out about reading and books - Madwomansattic. It has a companion Facebook group as well which is more like a discussion board.
Can you talk a bit about your inspiration for your story "City of the Dead"?
I did my undergraduate degree in Edinburgh, and one of the first things I did there was go on one of the many supposedly haunted tours of the old city - there really is a whole underground city beneath the one I was living in. I heard a lot of stories about some of the weird things that happened on the tours - people passing out, mysterious scratches beneath clothing, someone even died whilst trying to perform an exorcism. I always wanted to put it into a story, but never got around to it until last year.
Have you ever had an encounter with a ghost?
No, but I've had an encounter with a ghost tour guide. Does that count?
What's your favorite ghost story (you can pick a movie if you prefer)?
I scare very easily - I managed to terrify myself writing my own story - so I tend to stay away from creepy films. I suppose my favourite kind of story is something like Sarah Water's Affinity, where the really scary thing is the tricks your mind (or someone else's) plays on you.
What are you working on now and where can readers find out more about you?
I'm currently working on a Young Adult fantasy novel set in 19th century Wales - the working title is A Tyrant Spell, taken from a poem by Emily Bronte. It weaves together magic, the industrial revolution, madness and love. It's sort of a coming-of-age novel and I'm actually heading off to the Black Mountains to do some research tomorrow.
I haven't gotten around to getting an author's website yet, but I have a blog on wordpress where I geek out about reading and books - Madwomansattic. It has a companion Facebook group as well which is more like a discussion board.
