Book junkie, musichead, and, most of all, writer: these are some of the words that Sabaa Tahir uses to describe herself. She graduated from UCLA, worked for The Washington Post for five years, and decided to leave to work on her very first novel. If you want to know more about Sabaa’s quirks, then check out her author bio on her website.
New York Times bestselling author of An Ember in the Ashes, Sabaa Tahir agreed to an interview with Germ Magazine, talking about her debut novel, which came out April 28th, and more.
Here’s a synopsis of An Ember in the Ashes from SabaaTahir.com:
LAIA is a Scholar living under the brutal rule of the Martial Empire. When her brother is arrested for treason, Laia goes undercover as a slave at the empire’s greatest military academy in exchange for assistance from rebel Scholars who vow to save her brother from execution.
ELIAS is the academy’s finest soldier—and secretly, its most unwilling. Elias is considering deserting the military, but before he can, he’s ordered to participate in a ruthless contest to choose the next Martial emperor.
When Laia and Elias’s paths cross at the academy, they will find that their destinies are more intertwined than either could have imagined and that their choices will change the future of the empire itself.
Vow your blood and body to the empire.
Keep your heart for yourself.
What made you focus on medieval Rome for the setting of your novel? What exactly inspired you to centralize your characters into this setting?
I think that ancient Rome, particularly the Juleo-Claudian dynasty, was such a fascinating time in history. Consider the court intrigue and betrayal, backstabbing and crazy family dynamics. It makes for a very rich backdrop to any story. When I was thinking up the type of world I’d want for EMBER, ancient Rome seemed like a natural inspiration.
How was the world-building process with An Ember in the Ashes? Was it easy or difficult to set everything together?
It was difficult and it took a while. At the same time, it was really interesting to research and piece it all together, so I definitely enjoyed it!
How was your treatment with your characters? Was Laia already so headstrong, or did her brother’s current disposition bring her toward her decisions?
Laia’s never been particularly headstrong. She’s more determined than anything else—and yes, her brother’s situation is really what has made her dig deep and find that determination.
What is your writing process? Do you write at a particular time of the day, have to schedule your writing time, or does it just come to you?
I write in the morning and at night. But I do my best writing at night. In the morning, my head is usually filled with too many other things.
There’s already a ton of positive comments about your book, especially about the character Elias. Can you give us more details about him, especially to those looking forward to meeting him? *raises hands* *whispers* please please please
Elias is a soldier living under the brutal rule of the Martial Empire. All he wants is to be free of the tyranny he is being made to enforce upon those who are weaker than him. But attaining that freedom is going to cost him.
Elias was a difficult, but really fun character to write. He’s the consummate warrior: He knows how to deal with fear; he always has a Plan B and C and D; he’s strong, fast, the best soldier of his generation. But he also has a big heart—his empathy for those he is supposed to oppress complicates and confuses things for him.
Your book has been optioned for a film by Paramount! HOORAY! How does it feel? And are you part of the creative team, or will you be hands on with it?
I am not part of the creative team (film is not my expertise, so this is a good thing), but I certainly will get to share my opinion when it is solicited. It feels amazing! I honestly try not to think a lot about it because the awesomeness is too much.
And lastly, of course, any advice for young, aspiring writers out there who want to share their stories?
- Don’t give up.
- Read a lot.
- Don’t make excuses for why you don’t write. Hard advice, but I wish someone had told me, which is why I share it.
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