Lucky 13 Interview With Heleen Kist

1 – Can you start by telling us a little about your current book?

My latest novel (my second) is 'Stay Mad, Sweetheart', a dark yet empowering thriller that dances on the fine line between justice and revenge. It's 9-to-5 meets Suits meets Black Mirror. Published by Red DogPress.

2 – Are you a plotter or a panster?

I'm an Uber-plotter. I can't even write chapter 1 until I know the whole story. Having spoken to other writers I think I win the prize of most elaborate outlines: around 14k words for my last 2 books.

3 – Savoury or sweet?

I eat a little bit of dark chocolate every day but will wolf down as many crisps as you can put in front of me. So I guess savoury.

4 – Three books to a desert Island. Go!

It would be sensible to bring "How to Stay Alive" by Bear Grylls (which I do not currently own).

I never managed to get through "Goedel, Escher and Back: an Eternal Golden Braid" by Douglas Hofstater and I suspect it would take years to peel all the layer of this Winner of the Pulitzer Prize, hailed as a "metaphorical fugue on minds and machines in the spirit of Lewis Carroll".

And lastly 'She's Come Undone' by Wally Lamb to give me hope.

5 – Star Wars or Star Trek?

Star Trek. I used to watch it on Saturday mornings when I was a child. Having said that, I did have a wee crush on Han Solo.

6 – If you could have any superpower, what would it be?

Know what would happen in 5 minutes's time. It's short enough to be useful (lottery ticket anyone?) but not so long as to stress you out.

7 – Music or Silence when writing?

Complete silence. And even then: ear plugs!

8 – If you could live anywhere in the world, and take everything that you love with you, where would you choose?

If I had an answer to that, I would be there. Every place has its pros and cons. I could do with more sunshine than we get in Glasgow, though!

9 - Your favourite karaoke song?

Big Spender by Shirley Bassey

10 – One piece of advice to an aspiring writer?

Save yourself a whole load of effort and outline, at least a little.

11 – You win £1 million, but you must give half to charity. Which charity do you chose, and what do you do with the rest of the money?

- ActionAid which helps stop the horrific practice of female genital mutilation

- buy a holiday cottage on the banks of Loch Lomond (a snip at £185k!) with some kayaks and a paddle board.

12 – Horror films, yes or no? If so, any favourites?

No. Although once when I was 15 I did a 12 hour overnight horror movie marathon at the cinema with friends and enjoyed it. They were less scary, jumpy back in the 80s.

13 - What are you currently working on?

My agent has my third novel out on submissions to publishers. It's a domestic Noir about a traumatised female dentist who succumbs to an addiction to Valium and stumbles into the clutches of blackmailing drug dealers.

I've got an outline for book 4 ready and 17k words but I have to admit lockdown has broken my mojo a bit. I do love the story, though: a multi-murder locked room mystery set in the resident's gym of an apartment building.