Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have any writing advice?
What inspired The Last Life of Lori Mills?
— It’s dark, it’s miserable, it’s January 2022 – and I fell down a COMPLETE rabbit hole of watching Every Single Backrooms video in existence. It was ALL I could think about, all day, every day, 100% of days.
— Also, I was feeling utterly miserable about a novel I’d written about two girls’ adventures on the moon – a story I’d totally thrown myself into, but which, try as I might, it simply wasn’t working. Writing can be harsh like that. You can, on occasion, have SUCH a clear idea of how a story should be. Yet, when the time comes to write it, it’s just not as cool as the version that exists in your head.
— Then again, sometimes, a thing can feel very bad, but then turn out to be a blessing: because one night, it struck me that, rather than trudge on with my moon novel, I could write something else instead. Something Backrooms inspired, even though I’d never written a horror book in my life.
— Suddenly, I wanted to write, write, WRITE. And out of that came Lori Mills: a story that wouldn’t exist without all the pent-up energy from that earlier disappointment being unleashed at the EXACT right moment!!
— BONUS! Here’s my original planning, scrawled in a frenzied rush at 2 in the morning. Apologies for the eldritch catastrophe that is my handwriting 😭
What inspired One Thousand Dreams of Shoelace?
Existential dread lol
What was your favourite videogame growing up?
THERE ARE MANY!! Many many many!!!
Out of all of them, The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask is the one that impacted me most. Very genuinely, I could write an entire book about all the reasons I love it, from it’s characters, it’s atmosphere, and it’s sprawling, anxiety-inducing story which could only be told via a videogame.
Also, side note: I know Majora’s Mask has taken on a life of it’s own on the internet. But it still shocks/delights me how many children I’ve met who still get excited about this astonishing (uncslop) game from almost three decades ago <3
What's your favourite book?
Moominland Midwinter by Tove Jansson is unmatched in it’s atmosphere and has my favourite opening chapter of all time. No other book so perfectly captures that feeling of waking up in the middle of the night, and finding that hush and darkness have transformed your world into something new and eerie, different, wondrous, unsettling. A truly magical story.
Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind by Hayao Miyazaki is, I think, one of the best stories ever written, and certainly one of the most beautiful comics ever drawn. Its scope is massive, its characters endearing, and its themes of environmental destruction continue (unfortunately) to feel as relevant as ever. It’s also simply a great adventure story that hits the ground running and never lets up.
I’m also going to mention Ocarina of Time: Prima’s Official Strategy Guide from 1998: not for its story (there isn’t one!!) or its writing (it’s mainly step-by-step instructions on beating the game). But I have a soft spot for the types of books/media that perhaps get overlooked in questions like this. A videogame guide that, when I hold it in my hands, still reminds me of when I was 10; an old issue of a long-forgotten but really cool magazine; a Minecraft annual from years and years ago, with page upon page of awesome builds. Stuff like that.
Often, I think there can be pressure to say that your favourite book is a beloved classic. But one of the beautiful things about reading is that you get to decide which books matter to you, and the reasons why they matter.
It can be surprising, sometimes, the ones you grow attached to.
What’s your favourite creepypasta?
Okay, I’ve been asked this by so many kids, but most creepypastas are NOT child-friendly??
Pleeease?
FINE, I really like Siren Head, ‘cos it has sirens for a head. What’s not to love? 😁
Also enjoy [REDACTED], mainly because my younger siblings showed it to me when they were 7 or something, and rather than being terrified, they thought it was the most hysterical thing in the universe. Last but not least, [ALSO REDACTED] was a major influence on Lori, to the point where one of the characters is actually named after it.
(Seriously though, I’m happy to talk about this in real life – just not here!)
Your favourite Backrooms level?
It’s a toss-up.
LOVE The Poolrooms. The idea of infinite indoor swimming pools is SUCH a vibe – so strange and creepy, yet so relaxing too. I would visit in a heartbeat! You should also check out Jared Pike’s Dream Pools, all of which are sublime, and were a HUGE inspiration for Lori.
I would also like to visit Level 756, which is comprised of eight small islands, one of which has a cow on it.
I wanna say hi to the cow!!
Favourite lines from your books?
Ahhh don’t make me choose!
My top answer is the final line of One Thousand Dreams of Shoelace, which is my favourite thing that I’ve ever written. Except I can’t reveal it here since, y’know, spoilers.
But here are the runners-up:
From The Last Life of Lori Mills
‘As long as we’re together, it means one thing and one thing only.
It means we’re safe.’
From One Thousand Dreams of Shoelace
‘Without Shoelace, this joy isn’t real joy. It’s not real happiness.
Without Shoelace, I’m only half of me.’
Will there be a film of The Last Life of Lori Mills?
I’m only interested if Kane Pixels directs!
How about a game? Wouldn’t it be cool if there was a Voxminer/Minecraft crossover?
Don’t count on it. But yes, it would be SO cool!! 😭
Where did Shoelace get her nickname from?
Sorry, that’s between Lori and Shoelace.
Darn. Can I pet your cat at least?
Absolutely! Pet her through the screen. I promise she doesn’t bite (≧ω≦)
