Fresh off the release of her newest novel, The Kinder Poison, Natalie Mae took some time to tell us about her writing processes, what novels she is looking forward to in the latter half of 2020, and possibly drops some clues about The Kinder Poison II!
Hi there Natalie! Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and your new novel, The Kinder Poison?
Hi, and thanks so much for having me! I’m a Colorado author who graduated with an Information Technology degree from CU Boulder, because I didn’t think writing books could be an actual job. (I guess I thought authors just “existed” out there? Like stars?) Very happy to say that I soon found out anyone could pursue authorship, and the rest is history!
The Kinder Poison is an enthralling fantasy adventure that follows sixteen-year-old Zahru, who’s chosen to be the human sacrifice in a deadly game between three heirs who will do anything for the crown. Expect an enchanting desert setting, cutthroat sibling rivalries, strong friendships, sassy cows, magic, and a main character who often speaks before she thinks, and only sometimes regrets it.
What steps did you take to achieve the in-depth world building and magic system for The Kinder Poison?
To create the world of Orkena, I looked into three of my favorite ancient civilizations—Greece, Egypt, and Rome—wherein I studied how these people lived, what they ate, how they worshiped their gods, their relationships with their leaders, and how they dressed and constructed cities. This felt like the right time period to look at considering the contest revolves around human sacrifice, and it also helped me identify what details were important to these people that set them apart from modern cultures. The desert itself is a combination of deserts from all over the world, including our own Southwestern US, where you get that gorgeous orange sand and the brush and plateaus. In this way, I could build a completely new world with its own unique details, that hopefully also feels familiar to readers.
For the magic system, it only made sense to me that magic – and peoples’ perception of its worth – would be used to determine social status in an evolving world. Thus the upper classes would be those perceived to be physically stronger or more “useful” in military applications, like those who can control storms or fire, while the lower classes would be comprised of gentler magics, like the ability to grow plants or speak with animals. Naturally, you and I might argue that providing food is just as important to a society as the ability to protect people, and this book explores the same question: what is true power?
If you could have any of the magics from your novel, which would it be?
I would definitely want the Speaker’s magic, because they are able to master many different types of magic over their lifetime, while everyone else is limited to one specialty. Plus they live for thousands of years, and I think it would be fascinating to see how the world changes over lifetimes.
One of the aspects that really stood out in The Kinder Poison was the tension and fighting between the royals. Were there any historical or pop culture influences for this?
No, actually! My genius editors helped me flesh these characters out down to the bone, and through them, I found some natural sensitivities I could push on to amplify the tension. There are also little pieces of me in each character, so often I have my own insecurities or ambitions or worries I can work from, too.
Which character was the most fun to write?
I have to admit, while Zahru is pretty fun to write just because I love to see what kind of trouble her no-filter comments will get her in, I really enjoyed writing the main villain. I’ve always had a soft spot for darker characters, and I especially love those who aren’t all the way gone, because there’s this delicious ongoing battle within them between the extremes they’re willing to go to and the fear that maybe they’ve gone too far. I think that makes them unpredictable and so very human, which always makes for a compelling story.
What is something you hope readers take away from their read of The Kinder Poison?
Ultimately, The Kinder Poison is meant to be an escape from the stresses of the real world; a fun, adventurous read you can lose yourself in for awhile. But on a deeper level, the story is about the power of quieter strengths. Kickass assassins and sword-fighting heroines are awesome, and I will always read about them, but I also wanted to explore what life is like for a girl who isn’t those things, whether by ability or choice. I wanted to show readers who identify with Zahru that they are still powerful, even in a world that often seems to favor wealth and physical strength over all.
What does an average day of writing look like for you?
I have a 4-year-old, so my mornings begin with trying to figure out what she wants for breakfast, playing with cars or LEGOs, bribing said child to go on a walk (as otherwise she tells me she never wants to leave the house again, ever), convincing her it really is in her best interest to eat lunch, and then around 2 or 3 my husband gets off work and I can sit down to write. I then try to get down at least 500 words before dinner. It’s definitely a juggling act, and I do have a couple of days when grandparents come over to give me more time to write, but I’ve become a much more efficient writer knowing I have such a tight window to work with.
Are there any 2020 releases, besides your own, that you are excited for?
I’m dying for a copy of THE INVISIBLE LIFE OF ADDIE LARUE by V.E. Schwab! Also A DEADLY EDUCATION by Naomi Novik, RAYBEARER by Jordan Ifueko, and SKYHUNTER by Marie Lu.
If you could interview any author, living or dead, who would it be and why? And what would your first question be?
Man, there are SO MANY I would want to sit down with. But if I had to pick just one, I think it would have to be Victoria Schwab because I’ve been following her work since VICIOUS and in many ways feel I’ve “grown up” with her as an author. She’s so personable and real, and I have yet to read anything by her that didn’t hit me right in the heart. My first question would be, “How do you do it?” – which is super open-ended, but I really don’t know how she juggles all her social expectations, tight deadlines, and the pressures of fame, all while continuing to produce one 5-star read after another.
Can you tell us about any upcoming projects you are working on? *crosses fingers for any tidbits on The Kinder Poison II*
While I can’t share details yet about the other projects under my belt, I can assure you revisions are heavily underway for The Kinder Poison II! I can tell you we have a title, that the kingdom tensions built up in the first book reach deadly breaking points, and that an unexpected challenger for the throne sets everything into absolute chaos. I can’t reveal much else without spoilers, but rest assured that certain beloved characters will reappear in the second installment, and that political intrigue will abound!
