Did you read this fun, twisted tale from Richie Tennyson before or after I announced it earlier this month? Readers really seemed to like the new take on the old fairy tale genre. What did you think? Share you thoughts before, but make sure you check out my interview with Richie here first! 

Do you eat your fruits and vegetables?

I certainly do!

What’s one location you’d love to go to research for a story?

A small country town with colourful locals. I read lots of books set in small towns and would love to write one.

What brought you to GA?

I came across GA when I was looking for a place to share my first story, Self-Portraits.

Do you like original fairy tales or are you more of a Disney tale fan?

I loved Disney fairytales as a child and was also obsessed with a lot of picture book adaptations. I wasn’t as familiar with early versions of fairytales but, when I was researching Happily Ever After, Ltd, I became a big fan of the gory Brothers Grimm version of Cinderella.

One of your readers left an excellent review stating how the twists and turns had to be plotted out. Are you a plotter or pantser when you write?

Yeah, I did plot most of Happily Ever After, but I was bit of a “pantser” for Ryan and Dorothy’s backstories.

Did grown ups read fairytales to you when you were a child?

Yes, my parents did – and I spent a lot of time re-reading them on my own too.

Do fairytales have an influence on your writing outside of this story, or was it a one-off?

I always enjoy playing around with the “happily ever after” cliché. When I’m writing, I like to find ways to subvert expected endings, and bring characters to endings that are realistic and earned, but hopefully still satisfying.

Ryan and Dave both have quite the adventure. Do you identify more with either character?

I identify more with Ryan. His backstory is adapted from my own life, and as a person, we share a range of traits. We’re both a bit awkward and often exasperated - and we both have a very crude best friend.

What is your favorite part of Happily Ever after, Ltd.?

Without spoiling anything, my favourite part is the scene where two characters are on a boat. It combines action, horror, comedy, love, absurdism, and more.

Can you share more of your upcoming writing or story plans with readers?

I am currently writing a psychological thriller about a group of old university friends (including three gay guys), who are reuniting ten years after they graduated. They stay in a very isolated lodge, but one of them has murder on their mind. So again, I’m using a well-known story structure (the “whodunit”), but trying to subvert expectations/tropes.

Don't forget to share your thoughts below!