Heyla humans!!!!
I have some great news to share! If you don't follow Spec Pub on social media you may not know LCW Allingham is releasing, MUSE, her first novella!
I had the pleasure of doing some editing work on MUSE, and this story captures your attention from the first line to the last. So, grab your favorite drink, find a quiet, comfy, uninterrupted spot and succumb to the world of painted creativity, of Mr. Green's travels as he looks for the next big artist, of Cedric's journey of self discovery and of Terra's revelation of self.
Being a debut of sorts (LCW has many published short stories, and a novel coming out in autumn), but this is her first novella, and I wanted to pick her brain about this particular story. I hope you enjoy the interview!
****LC, I know you've been asked a lot of questions regarding MUSE and your inspirations for it, and all that creative stuff. I want to ask a few simpler "fun" questions. Here we go...
First of all, how dare you send me question in Comic Sans. I thought we were friends. **I'm sorry!!! I changed it for this post!!! :)
1. I think laptops are the preferred writing apparatus for most writers, but I think all of us have a desk or space at home. What does your space look like?
Messy! It’s so messy. No matter what I do, how often I tidy or organize, it takes one day for the mess to come back. Currently I have my primary working desk in the living room, near my bookshelf that is not big enough for all my books, so they spill over onto the desk and around the desk. I also have a desk in a small guest room for when my family is home, which is usually covered in laundry. And more books.
In the winter when there isn’t a lot of sun, I generally work in the kitchen where the house gets the most light.
And if I’m writing at night, I actually take my laptop to the couch so I can put my feet up. So I guess my space is kinda my whole house.
2. What is your favorite part of writing?
You and I have talked about that Dorthy Parker quote “I hate writing but I love having written” that people love to throw around. I hate that quote. Also I just looked it up and apparently there’s no proof she even said that.
For me, the best part of writing is writing. And everything about the writing. When the idea takes root, when it starts to grow and then you put your fingers to the keyboard and it blooms…
3. What inspires you to write and what inspired MUSE?
Everything has the potential to inspire me to write. A song, a feeling, an overheard conversation. I’m an overthinker so I’m constantly thinking up scenarios and hurting my own feelings with them, but sometimes they intrigue me instead. What IF instead of tell her I was sorry I punched her in the face? But what if I was a widowed grandmother and she was a ancient demi-god?
With Muse, the initial spark came from the 2018 Suspiria remake. Specifically the dynamic between Dakoka Fannings character and Tilda Swinton’s character. It very much plays out in the dynamic between Mr. Green and Terra Desmarais. Then when I started to put it down, it bloomed.
4. Do you remember the first story you ever wrote?
Sherah and the Purple Monster, when I was 4 or 5. Then Tulip the Unicorn when was 6. I still have them, hard bound and everything. I was always writing stories. I won a few local writing awards for kids when I was young. It was just always a compulsion and my mom encouraged it.
My first novel was an assignment my wonderful 5th grade teacher gave us. I remember coming alive when I wrote it with my group. It probably wasn’t really novel length but it felt like it to me as a ten-year-old. After that, I never stopped.
I wrote 150k word fantasy for my graduation project that was just a complete knock off of Lord of the Rings with some scenes from the movie Legend (You remember that scene where she’s dancing in the darkness?)
It took me a while to find my voice, to hammer my skills, but I was writing stories before I could even write.
5. Do you remember the first story you ever read and the impact it had on you?
Not the first story I ever read, but I remember the book when reading stopped being an effort and started being a joy. It was the New Bobbsey Twins: The Secret of Jungle Park. Up until that I had been struggling to enjoy reading. After that, I devoured books.
6. How do you discover the books you read?
I follow a ton of reviewers and authors and booktokers and when I hear a book mentioned a few times I take note. If I hear a premise that really intrigues me I take note. I’m definitely guilty of buying more books than I have time to read and buying books when I have stacks waiting for me already, but I find that I’m ready for different books at different times, and I need to be prepared, always.
7. Do you have a preferred e-reader? Why?
I have an old original kindle that is trusty AF. Then I lost it for a while just after I inherited my mother’s brand new kindle. So now I have both of them and I like them both.
8. Who are your favorite authors?
Omg this question. My All time favorites are Cecilia Dart-Thorton, who’s Bitterbynde Trilogy is just etched in my heart. Madeline Miller, N. K. Jemisin and her amazing Fifth Season Trilogy, Suzanne Collins, Neil Gaiman, Peter Beagle, Tanith Lee, Phillippa Gregory, Gemma Laurence, Stephen King and Bernard Cornwell. Just recently, I have been loving work by T. Kingfisher, Nicola Griffith, Gwendoline Kiste, William Donahue, Alix E. Harrow and Ef Deal.
And River Eno. When is her next novel coming out?
GAH! As host here I did not expect questions... but I'm editing the third book in the Anastasia Series now, so I hope by the end of the year, thank you!
And last, but not least, and thank you so much for your time, LC:
9. What are your favorite horror stories?
I was recently blown away by Sister Maiden Monster. It was so deeply unsettling and I will be looking for more work from Lucy A. Snider. Rosemary’s Baby is one that always sticks with me, as is Carrie, which is the first adult horror novel I ever read, at the ripe old age of eleven. Honestly, I’m just naming the ones that come to mind. I have so many favorite horror stories I can’t think of them all, until I’m alone in the dark straining to hear a noise outside the window.
Muse IS NOW available in paperback or ebook. You can choose your favorite retailer at https://www.speculationpub.com/muse
You can find LC at www.lcwallingham.com
Or on her socials.
Facebook –www.facebook.com/LCWAllingham
TikTok - @authorlcwa
Instagram – @lcw.allingham
Twitter – @LCWAllingham
Bluesky – lcwall.bsky.social
I have some great news to share! If you don't follow Spec Pub on social media you may not know LCW Allingham is releasing, MUSE, her first novella!
I had the pleasure of doing some editing work on MUSE, and this story captures your attention from the first line to the last. So, grab your favorite drink, find a quiet, comfy, uninterrupted spot and succumb to the world of painted creativity, of Mr. Green's travels as he looks for the next big artist, of Cedric's journey of self discovery and of Terra's revelation of self.
Being a debut of sorts (LCW has many published short stories, and a novel coming out in autumn), but this is her first novella, and I wanted to pick her brain about this particular story. I hope you enjoy the interview!
****LC, I know you've been asked a lot of questions regarding MUSE and your inspirations for it, and all that creative stuff. I want to ask a few simpler "fun" questions. Here we go...
First of all, how dare you send me question in Comic Sans. I thought we were friends. **I'm sorry!!! I changed it for this post!!! :)
1. I think laptops are the preferred writing apparatus for most writers, but I think all of us have a desk or space at home. What does your space look like?
Messy! It’s so messy. No matter what I do, how often I tidy or organize, it takes one day for the mess to come back. Currently I have my primary working desk in the living room, near my bookshelf that is not big enough for all my books, so they spill over onto the desk and around the desk. I also have a desk in a small guest room for when my family is home, which is usually covered in laundry. And more books.
In the winter when there isn’t a lot of sun, I generally work in the kitchen where the house gets the most light.
And if I’m writing at night, I actually take my laptop to the couch so I can put my feet up. So I guess my space is kinda my whole house.
2. What is your favorite part of writing?
You and I have talked about that Dorthy Parker quote “I hate writing but I love having written” that people love to throw around. I hate that quote. Also I just looked it up and apparently there’s no proof she even said that.
For me, the best part of writing is writing. And everything about the writing. When the idea takes root, when it starts to grow and then you put your fingers to the keyboard and it blooms…
3. What inspires you to write and what inspired MUSE?
Everything has the potential to inspire me to write. A song, a feeling, an overheard conversation. I’m an overthinker so I’m constantly thinking up scenarios and hurting my own feelings with them, but sometimes they intrigue me instead. What IF instead of tell her I was sorry I punched her in the face? But what if I was a widowed grandmother and she was a ancient demi-god?
With Muse, the initial spark came from the 2018 Suspiria remake. Specifically the dynamic between Dakoka Fannings character and Tilda Swinton’s character. It very much plays out in the dynamic between Mr. Green and Terra Desmarais. Then when I started to put it down, it bloomed.
4. Do you remember the first story you ever wrote?
Sherah and the Purple Monster, when I was 4 or 5. Then Tulip the Unicorn when was 6. I still have them, hard bound and everything. I was always writing stories. I won a few local writing awards for kids when I was young. It was just always a compulsion and my mom encouraged it.
My first novel was an assignment my wonderful 5th grade teacher gave us. I remember coming alive when I wrote it with my group. It probably wasn’t really novel length but it felt like it to me as a ten-year-old. After that, I never stopped.
I wrote 150k word fantasy for my graduation project that was just a complete knock off of Lord of the Rings with some scenes from the movie Legend (You remember that scene where she’s dancing in the darkness?)
It took me a while to find my voice, to hammer my skills, but I was writing stories before I could even write.
5. Do you remember the first story you ever read and the impact it had on you?
Not the first story I ever read, but I remember the book when reading stopped being an effort and started being a joy. It was the New Bobbsey Twins: The Secret of Jungle Park. Up until that I had been struggling to enjoy reading. After that, I devoured books.
6. How do you discover the books you read?
I follow a ton of reviewers and authors and booktokers and when I hear a book mentioned a few times I take note. If I hear a premise that really intrigues me I take note. I’m definitely guilty of buying more books than I have time to read and buying books when I have stacks waiting for me already, but I find that I’m ready for different books at different times, and I need to be prepared, always.
7. Do you have a preferred e-reader? Why?
I have an old original kindle that is trusty AF. Then I lost it for a while just after I inherited my mother’s brand new kindle. So now I have both of them and I like them both.
8. Who are your favorite authors?
Omg this question. My All time favorites are Cecilia Dart-Thorton, who’s Bitterbynde Trilogy is just etched in my heart. Madeline Miller, N. K. Jemisin and her amazing Fifth Season Trilogy, Suzanne Collins, Neil Gaiman, Peter Beagle, Tanith Lee, Phillippa Gregory, Gemma Laurence, Stephen King and Bernard Cornwell. Just recently, I have been loving work by T. Kingfisher, Nicola Griffith, Gwendoline Kiste, William Donahue, Alix E. Harrow and Ef Deal.
And River Eno. When is her next novel coming out?
GAH! As host here I did not expect questions... but I'm editing the third book in the Anastasia Series now, so I hope by the end of the year, thank you!
And last, but not least, and thank you so much for your time, LC:
9. What are your favorite horror stories?
I was recently blown away by Sister Maiden Monster. It was so deeply unsettling and I will be looking for more work from Lucy A. Snider. Rosemary’s Baby is one that always sticks with me, as is Carrie, which is the first adult horror novel I ever read, at the ripe old age of eleven. Honestly, I’m just naming the ones that come to mind. I have so many favorite horror stories I can’t think of them all, until I’m alone in the dark straining to hear a noise outside the window.
Muse IS NOW available in paperback or ebook. You can choose your favorite retailer at https://www.speculationpub.com/muse
You can find LC at www.lcwallingham.com
Or on her socials.
Facebook –www.facebook.com/LCWAllingham
TikTok - @authorlcwa
Instagram – @lcw.allingham
Twitter – @LCWAllingham
Bluesky – lcwall.bsky.social
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