Writing a novel is like knocking on a door that will never open. You are so desperate to get in, you will say or do anything. You feel: please take my novel. Samantha Shannon desperatedoorfeel Change image and share on social
I am the first one to go to university in my family. I am the first writer as well. My dad is a retired policeman, and my mom works for a glass-processing company. She is health-and-safety manager, and my stepfather is a plumber. I have four half siblings, one from my mom's marriage and three from my dad's marriage, so we are kind of scattered. Samantha Shannon companydadfamily share on social
London had so much death in its history, it was hard to find a spot without spirits. They formed a safety net. Still, you had to hope the ones you got were good. Samantha Shannon deathfindform Change image and share on social
I've been writing since I was about thirteen but didn't start a book until 2007. I spent four years writing a sci-fi novel before I wrote 'The Bone Season' at nineteen. Samantha Shannon bonebookhave Change image and share on social
I do take this insane pleasure in world-building. I get the world in my head, but I have to make sure everyone else gets it. Samantha Shannon buildheadinsane Change image and share on social
'The Bone Season' is violent. There's sex. My little brother keeps asking to read it, and he's 9, so I'm like, 'No, it's not happening.' Samantha Shannon bonebrotherhappen Change image and share on social
I was mostly an indoor girl at university. Where other students did drama or music or sport alongside their degrees, I wrote. I used to work on essays and classwork during the day and 'The Bone Season' in the evenings. Samantha Shannon alongsideboneclasswork share on social
It is a strange world, Oxford - quite claustrophobic. I was often glad I was only there for eight weeks at a time. Samantha Shannon claustrophobicgladoxford Change image and share on social
I had lived in that part of London that used to be called Islington since I was eight. I attended a private school for girls, leaving at sixteen to work. That was in the year 2056. AS 127, if you use the Scion calendar. Samantha Shannon attendcalendarcall share on social
I was so sure I wanted to be a novelist. I would spend hours and hours every day writing. Little stories about nothing in particular. I recall one about someone with an illness. But my dedication wasn't really healthy, and it reached the point where I wasn't sleeping. My mum would tell me, 'You need to go outside to get some fresh air.' Samantha Shannon airdaydedication share on social