Today we are talking with Chloe Gilholy about her creative process. Chloe Gilholy is the author of Game of Mass Destruction.
About Author
Chloe Gilholy was born in Staffordshire and is a healthcare worker from Oxfordshire. She had her first poem published in an anthology when she was eight and hasn’t stopped writing since. She is the author of Game of Mass Destruction, Drinking Poetry and Fishman. She also writes fanfiction under the penname, Chloboshoka.
So let’s get into the questions!
First, tell us about your book!
Game of Mass Destruction is a romance between dystopian sci-fi and black comedy.
How did you come up with this idea? What inspired you?
I came up with the plot to Game of Mass Destruction as part of an English assignment where we had to write a science fiction story. I got carried away and started a fan fic where couples from many fandoms were put into teams and had to destroy loads of robots. At the time it was called Paranoia Wars Community. I was only 15 when I started it and it became too much for me, so I never finished it.
Battle Royale is one of my favourite novels and I loved the movies and the manga series as well. Getting into Hunger Games, The Lord of the Flies, Ready Player One and The Running Man eventually made me want to try the story again. Paranoia Wars Community was changed to Game of Mass Destruction. After writing the fic version, I thought I would have more freedom with it if I created my own characters.
Tell us a little bit about your main character(s). Were you inspired by anyone particular when writing them?
Yuzuko Shikumi is widow with an infant son and a girlfriend. She loves her country and is very close to her grandfather. Yuzuko shares a name with one of the main characters from a manga called Citrus.
What about your setting? What inspired you to choose where the story took place?
The main setting for the story is an island under constant watch. Various reality tv shows like Big Brother, Survivor and I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here. I still haven’t watched a single episode of Love Island.
Obviously, stories change from their initial inception. How has your story changed while working on it?
Other than the fan fic inceptions, there were plenty. It was so much more than just name changes. The robots have more personality and Sia or Bobby would have been the main characters.I never used to edit my work cause I was obsessed with getting right the first time. Now it’s one of my favourite parts. I like sharing my work too.Other than the fan fic inceptions, there were plenty. It was so much more than just name changes. The robots have more personality and Sia or Bobby would have been the main characters.
What is your writing process like?
I have no routine. There are days I can write thousands and days when I’m lucky to reach a page. I put all my brainstorming and plotting on pen to paper first, then start the first draft in my notebook, then write it up on Word, the tidy it up as I go along.
What part of the writing process do you enjoy the most?
I never used to edit my work cause I was obsessed with getting right the first time. Now it’s one of my favourite parts. I like sharing my work too.
What was the most difficult part in writing your book? How did you overcome it?
Refining my work and getting understood.
Now let’s talk personal inspiration: did anyone or anything inspire you to be a writer?
Reading lots of books made me decide to write books too. My nans on both sides of the family encouraged it.
Finally, do you have any words of inspiration or tips to new authors?
Just do it, but don’t feel bad if you can’t do it everyday.
Thank you for joining us today! If you’re interested in Chloe Gilholy, check out the links below!
Social Media
Books
Until next time,
E.S. Barrison
E.S. Barrison 