An interview with Ross MacKay, author of fantasy novel Will and the Whisp
“The voice was coming from inside him … But it wasn’t his.”
The Whisp is a fugitive. Living in between worlds, she flees from veteran hunters and the General who wishes to corrupt her power. For Will Devine, nothing could be worse than someone else knowing his thoughts. When an unfortunate incident in the boy’s toilet mysteriously binds the two souls together, Will is horrified to find he is no longer the only voice inside his mind. With no way apart, the two of them must work together to find a solution.
But with one teacher dead and another student’s life on the line, can they survive long enough to escape from each other?
Excerpt from Will and the Whisp
The Whisp hurtles down a side street and then spins to the left.
Faster and faster, as fast as she can.
She hears heavy boots on the damp cobbles and the howls and whoops behind her. A glance back shows some of the Hunters grasping electric spears, running them against the granite walls. The sparks crackle in the air as they singe the old stones black. The rain lashes down onto the old slate roofs making the whole city bristle with noise.
Amongst all of this chaos, she keeps running, tries hard to concentrate on the sound that beckons. It’s fragile, like fine thread unwinding from a spindle. She knows if she loses it, inside the noise of the chase, it might never be found again.
The sound is hope.
The Whisp propels herself forward. She has never heard the song of the Thresholds until this night. She didn’t even exist when they were last open. But if a Threshold was open and singing to her, then there was a chance … A small chance, she might escape with her life.
The city is woven like a tightly gnarled knot through which she twists and turns, doubling back on herself when she comes across another squad of Hunters in the alleyway ahead of her. They are systematic, cutting off streets, encircling her, trying to pen her in. She works fast to plot a new route in her mind, turning towards the sound whenever she has the chance.
The Hunters are like a pack of wild dogs catching the scent of prey in their nostrils. They will not lose her. She is quicker than them, but they are relentless. And while she may be invisible, the lashing rain runs down her body, making her shimmer.
They are swooping upon her, again and again. Each trying their best to seize the Whisp in their talons. But agile and quick, she darts across a city square into another crumpled heap of side streets.
The Whisp tries to turn another corner but misjudges the pivot and crashes hard into a wooden door that rattles on its hinges. Trying to correct her balance, she slips as the wet gravel beneath her gives way. Landing in a heap, she looks up and notices a looming shadow in front of her.
The only humans ever out at this time of night are Hunters.
An Interview with Ross MacKay
-What inspired you to become a writer?
I never set out to write. I worked in theatre for over a decade as a director. But I had to take a break because of my health. During that time off, stories would still be buzzing around my head. I needed a way to get them out and so I began to write. Just a little at first, but this one story wouldn’t leave me alone. Soon, I was writing a bit every day and then I discovered just how much I love it. Now, I have written a couple of books, animations and I am back working in theatre but as a playwright. I am even writing a new story for visitors of a local historical building. I have definitely caught the writing bug.
-If you could visit your book’s world for a day, what one thing would you do?
I would absolutely visit Mr. Crickwicker’s shop. It is a magical place. There is a grandfather clock which is enormous on the inside and I would have to take a peek just to see how big it actually was. The clocks pendulum is as big as a giant wrecking ball swinging from one side of the room to the other. So, it must be pretty huge. The shop is full of crazy contraptions and inventions so I would love to explore to see if I can find the most magical object Mr. Crickwicker has created.
-It’s two in the morning. What does your protagonist reveal in confidence? (Don’t worry, we won’t tell.)
Will Devine is often awake at 2am. He worries a lot, so his mind is a busy place. At 2am is when he has some of his most worrying thoughts like what if he never finds a best friend, what if everyone at his new school will hate him and in the darkest nights, Will remembers his mum and he worries that he might forget what she sounded like when she told him she was proud of him, or what she looked like when she was making the breakfast and has accidentally burnt the toast again. He wants to hold onto that forever.
-Which of your characters would you go out for drinks with?
I wish I could say I would go for drinks with some of the goodies. But NO WAY. If I had one chance I would go out for a drink with Cato. He is an old advisor to a King in the Whisp’s world. He is scheming, conniving and full of evil intentions. I wouldn’t want to hang out with him every week but for one night I would love to chat to him about how he sees the world. I think it would be fascinating.
-Is there a genre you could never write? Which and why?
I could never write a romance. I am terrible at it. When I first started to date my wife. I tried to write her some poetry and I really wish she would burn them. I have no idea how I managed to convince her to go out with me.
About Ross MacKay
Ross MacKay lives in the village of Aberdour in Scotland with his wife and young son, Noah.
Ross previously worked in theatre as the artistic director of Tortoise in a Nutshell. His productions toured all over the world. His shows have received numerous prestigious awards including a Scotsman Fringe First for New Writing and a Critic’s Pick from The New York Times.
In 2020, Ross was the recipient of the William Soutar Award for Poetry and a Tom McGrath Trust Maverick Award. He has been commissioned to write poetry for libraries in Fife, to open a festival in Perth and for two books published by Tippermuir.
Ross’ first picture book, Daddy’s Bad Bed Day will be published in 2022 by Curly Tale Books. The book has been created to help young children with parents with poor mental health. Research for the book has been supported by numerous children’s charities in Scotland.
When Ross isn’t writing or making shows, he spends his time in his inflatable kayak, trying to steer it as best he can. He loves gardening and is currently engaged in a fierce battle with a collection of snails who seem to love the rhubarb and potatoes just as much as Ross.
Giveaway
Ross MacKay will be awarding a $10 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
I love the cover. It sets the stage for the book.
Great excerpt, the book sounds very good
Great interview, Ross, I enjoyed the excerpt, too and Will and the Whisp sounds like a fantastic fantasy to read!
Thanks for sharing it with me and have a spectacular day!