1. How did you get started writing?
I started writing at a young age, the first being a very long, incredibly misspelt paragraph about a nightmare I had. My parents have been very supportive of my writing and my mum loves to sit and read through them. I’ve always been a very imaginative person which is all good fun for writing- I always have an idea floating somewhere in there!
2. Out of all your books, which one is your favourite and why?
I haven’t released any books yet, but the one I am writing currently is a teen psychological thriller. It has comedic elements as well as murder and gore and all that lovely junk! I can’t wait to publish it one day!
3. If your friends were asked to describe you in one word, what would it be?
I’d hope they would say ‘funny’ but everyone thinks they’re funny, don’t they? I assume they’d say ‘lazy’ because I sleep a lot and I’m always saying ‘im too tired’ when they ask me to go out with them.
4. What is your favorite thing to do outside of writing?
I love to sleep. I know it sounds very lazy but I have weird and fantastical dreams. They’re all in-depth with side characters, plot twists and season finales!- I think my mind is its own little television show…
5. What do you love most about the genre you write?
I love psychological thriller because there are so many different elements and layers that go into writing it. It’s not set on one type of genre- it can include comedic elements or full-on gore and violence! I love reading and watching shows in that genre because, despite being terrifying, they’re so interesting.
6. Describe yourself in 3 words.
Funny, loyal and sleepy!
7. What does your writing space look like?
Messy… cluttered… loud…my parents are always there… It’s a kitchen table!
I’ve been living with my parents whilst my university is on lockdown due to the lovely virus that is COVID-19! Despite it being a mess and my back always aching from being sat at a dining chair, it’s a pretty good spot! (It also doesn’t hurt that it has direct access to the kettle for a cuppa, as well!)
8. What’s the one piece of technology you can’t live without?
I can’t live without my laptop. I bought it for my university for my creative writing course but have ended up watching movies, listening to music and gaming on it! I haven’t gone a day without it- that’s quite embarrassing…
9. Do you find it hard to kill off your characters?
YES! Oh, it causes me physical pain. I’m already an emotional person and I get so invested in the characters, to the point that I have sobbed before. I love them… but it works so well for them to die… but don’t tell them I said that-!
10. How much of your characters are based on your traits or someone you know personally?
I base a lot of my characters on old teachers or my friends. Sometimes I work best when I have a visual aid. I always include a teacher I had when I was in Year 4 called Mr Price. He was my absolute favourite teacher- always made us laugh! I wonder what he’s up to now?
11. Is there one genre that you have not written in yet, but would love to try writing?
I’ve always been interested in fantasy. As a young child I had a fascination with witches, fairies, dragons, goblins… and I, embarrassingly so, believed in half of them until I entered my teenage years! Some, I think, are still out there… I’d love to create a fantasy world that included creatures like that. I think it’d be so fun!
12. What do you do when a flash of inspiration hits you at an inopportune moment?
I get a lot of inspiration from conversations and being in public spaces- as much as I hate it. Often I have to pretend that I’m listening, despite an entire scene playing out in my head. I nod and smile, but not a single word sinks in. Then I excuse myself and write frantically on my phone for later Sally to see.
My mind is a very chaotic place and it doesn’t help that I don’t listen when I’m being spoken to.
13. What keeps you going while writing?
Music! I’m a big fan of music, always have been. I often play Kate Bush’s ‘Hounds of Love’ album on repeat in the background. I also create music playlists that give off the same ‘vibe’ as the story I am writing. It’s a great help and I often find myself writing for hours. Without music I get distracted!
14. What’s next for you?
I think I’d like to focus on my poetry moving forwards, including my scriptwriting whilst at university. (At the moment I’m just hoping to survive quarantine sane!)
15. Where can we find you on the internet?
@Sally_Clement on Instagram. I use it every day and post lots of photos! Feel free to follow! (: