In this installment of getting to know an author we got a chance to catch up with Clara Ward. They spends their days in or near the Pacific Ocean in California. Their new novella, Dream the Deep, and their previous novel, Be the Sea, explore sea creature perspectives, marine technology, and chosen family, while delving into our oceans, our selves, and how all futures intertwine. Their shorter works are featured in The Neurodiversiverse: Alien Encounters, Strange Horizons, and Tales & Feathers by Augur. When not using words to teach or tell stories, Clara uses wood, fiber, and glass to make practical or completely impractical objects.
Q) Tell us about your latest project. What inspired you to create it?
Dream the Deep follows Ryn, a nonbinary neurodivergent green-energy researcher who discovers the military-backed billionaires who funded their research have been lying to them—and everyone else on Earth—for years. However, the true star (and my inspiration!) for the story is a character who mostly shows up in Ryn’s dreams, a giant cephalopod called Ceph. This ancient being is accustomed to each of its limbs acting independently. If human dreamers drop in to steer a limb sometimes, Ceph appreciates the insights they bring.
Q) Do you know what your next project is going to be? Can you give us a preview?
While I wrote Dream the Deep to stand alone (and it does!), I barely lasted two weeks before I missed the characters and needed to write more. It’s hard to explain without spoilers, but there’s a lot going on with those cephalopods. Also, some humans discover chosen family and ace romance. Dream the Light comes on in February 2027!
Q) What was the first story you wrote down?
In kindergarten, I wrote (and illustrated!) a very moving story about a vegetarian Tyrannosaurus rex.
Q) What do you feel is the most important things a person should take from a work of fiction?
That’s really up to them. I most appreciate the stories that connect me to a feeling, scene, or idea that’s a little different from what I’ve known before. But half of that connection depends on what I’m open to experiencing in the moment. Sometimes, I just want a moment’s peace.
Q) Do you have a set writing schedule or practice that helps you produce pages consistently.
Not really. For fiction, I will fight for the time to write. Once I start a story, I can rarely go more than 48 hours without wanting to get back to work on it. I just need to give myself permission. For nonfiction, blog posts, and answering interview questions, I have to assign time on my calendar. Then I reward myself with hot chocolate and fiction!
Q) What are your biggest dreams and fears around being an author?
Well, I already ended up speaking on panels (at science fiction conventions) with some authors I greatly admire (like Annalee Newitz and Ryka Aoki). Honestly, that was pretty high on my lists for both biggest fears and biggest dreams as an author, if that makes sense to anyone.
Q) What do you do to stay inspired, what other authors do you like to keep up with?
Reading science articles and books inspires a lot of my writing. In my blog/newsletter each month, I always end with a fun fact or something new I learned (often about the ocean or sea creatures). For those who like cephalopods and engaging nonfiction books, I strongly recommend Monarchs of the Sea by Danna Staaf. Those seeking broader inspiration should check out the “Writer Fuel” blog by Scott Coatsworth at limfic.com. Other authors I follow but haven’t mentioned yet include Charlie Jane Anders, Minerva Cerridwen, Ada Hoffmann, and Jo Miles.
Q) When you are starting out on a novel which comes first the characters or the plot? Are you a pantser or an outliner?
Characters! They tell me what they want, and I try to outline to reach that end. Then as I write, the characters and the world expand. I frequently go off script and change directions. However, I need the security of starting with a plan to prove a desired outcome is possible, but even in fiction, we don’t always get what we want. (Sometimes we get something better that we didn’t know to hope for!)
Q) If people want more information about your or your books, where should they go?
More of my words along with crafted creations can be found at: https://clarawardauthor.wordpress.com
Final four questions –we ask everybody.
Q) When the zombies take over the world where will you be?
Enjoying whatever chocolate I have left, so it doesn’t go to waste when I start eating braaaaaains!
Q ) What is your favorite Fandom (could be sports, pop culture, favorite director or author)
At heart, I am a fan of fandom, from transformative fan works to fan-run conventions. And does anyone remember Dr. Who pledge breaks with costumes and skits, back when the show was free (in the US) on public TV? Those pledge breaks were my first introduction to fandom and volunteering.
Q) What book, do you think people must experience before they die?
The one they most want to write for themselves. But otherwise try… The Dragon of Ynys by Minerva Cerridwen. It is beautifully imperfect and true (in a quietly queer/fantasy/dragony way).
Q) Give one fact that most people would not believe about you?
I joined my high school wrestling team despite being touch averse. (The scandal at the time was me not being a boy, but I already knew that was the least of it.)