We chat with author Rebecca Templeton about Lochbound, which is a glitteringly dark reimagining of The Little Mermaid set in eighteenth-century Scotland, perfect for fans of Rosie Andrews’s The Leviathan, Georgia Leighton’s Spellbound and anyone who loved Outlander.
Hi, Rebecca! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?
I am a debut author, and my historical fantasy novel, Lochbound, is being published this month. My background is in the legal profession, and I live a somewhat chaotic life with my husband and two children.
When did you first discover your love for writing and stories?
For as long as I can remember, I have loved writing and stories. When I was a child, I could generally be found with my nose in a book. At the age of around 10 , I started writing poems (including one particularly embarrassing collection of humourous animal poems) and short stories, and it all went from there.
Quick lightning round! Tell us:
- The first book you ever remember reading: The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis – I still haven’t left Narnia.
- The one that made you want to become an author: Tough one! Probably one of The Secret Seven
- The one that you can’t stop thinking about: Weavingshaw by Heba Al-Wasity – absolutely ruined my life in the best possible way. I also adored Dear Emmie Blue by Lia Louis. I don’t often cry when I am reading a book but this one really did something to me.
Your debut novel, Lochbound, is out now! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
Atmospheric, chilling, twisty, yearning, hopeful
What can readers expect?
A killer on the loose, a cursed monster who must escape the hunter sent to kill her, and a lot of Scottish folklore!
Where did the inspiration for Lochbound come from?
My inspiration came from The Little Mermaid by Hans Christian Andersen, which is my favourite fairy tale, and my love of the Scottish Highlands and all things folkloric.
Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?
My favourite moment to write was the first time my protagonist, Iris, see the loch from above when she is in a boat, having only ever seen it from beneath the surface. I found all my main characters fascinating to write in different ways, but Iris will always have a special place in my heart.
Did you face any challenges whilst writing? How did you overcome them?
The main challenge for me was getting the balance right between Iris’s human self and her monster self, particularly as the story unfolded. I play the piano a little, and I found that writing a piece of music for Iris’s human self really helped me connect with her in a way that unlocked her character and made writing her much easier.
This is your debut novel! What was the road to becoming a published author like for you?
Long! I think the reality for a lot of authors is that the road to publication is often not straightforward. Lochbound is my second novel, but my first one to be published, and in the end, I think this is definitely the right story at the right time. I have met a lot of wonderful people on my publishing journey which has been the best part for me so far.
What’s next for you?
I am working on a new novel at the moment, which means lots of scribbles in notebooks and daydreaming, one of the things I do best!
Lastly, what books are you looking forward to picking up this year?
I’m currently reading Sweetbitter Song by Rosie Hewlett and looking forward to This Immortal Heart by Jennifer Saint and Blood Bound by the fantastic duo Ellis Hunter.
