Heather’s Bookshelf: Author Interview with Colette Bos
Book Title: Bon Echo and The Competition
Released: 03/11/21
Genre: YA Sci-Fi
Interview by Heather L. Barksdale
What inspired you to write “Bon Echo and The Competition”?
Bos: I was born and raised in a small town near Bon Echo Provincial Park in Eastern Ontario, Canada. Growing up surrounded by nature's beauty had a profound and lasting impact on my life. Later, during the pandemic, I felt inspired to honour Mother Nature by writing a tribute to her. This led to the creation of my book, Bon Echo and the Competition, which I wrote during the extended stay-at-home period.
I believe many people also turned to writing during this time, and I wanted to join them in pursuing a lifelong dream of becoming an author. Additionally, I embarked on a personal mystery quest one summer before writing Bon Echo. If you're interested, you can read more about it on my website, Northern Lights Publications, by following this link:
https://www.northernlightspublications.com/northernlightspublications/inspiration.html
How did you come up with the names of your main characters?
Bos: Choosing names for my characters came from various inspirations. My main protagonist is someone who loves understanding things and is always seeking knowledge. I thought the perfect name for her would be Maven, as the word comes from the Yiddish "meyvn," meaning "one who understands." However, to be a maven, one must do more than understand a topic; one must know its ins and outs. Often, mavens are the people you turn to as experts in their fields.
For Maven's brother, I chose the name Merrick because it sounds a bit like the word maverick, which aligns with his character. Merrick is always trying to come up with new and better ways of doing things, embodying the definition of the word maverick. A maverick is someone who shuns convention, a lone wolf who blazes their own trail and is willing to go against the crowd—an independent thinker.
All the other characters' names followed similar reasoning, so I hope you get the gist of how I approached naming Maven's friends and family in the story.
Is there anything that you want readers to know about you, your writing process or your book?
Bos: I hold an honours degree in Geography from the University of Windsor, Ontario. Although I haven't applied this knowledge directly in my career, I have a strong interest in climate change and its implications for future generations. I feel compelled to explore these topics through my writing. Writing about Bon Echo was my way of contributing ideas on climate change and inspiring interest in environmental studies related to this issue.
If “Bon Echo and The Competition” were adapted into a movie, who would you like to see cast to play your lead characters?
Bos: I need to stretch my imagination to envision my book as a movie, but if I had to choose, I could see Florence Pugh playing Maven, and Callum Turner as Merrick.
When you encounter writer’s block, what do you do to break yourself out of it?
Bos: I love doing research, and so far I haven't encountered it. I think that because I do so much research, I have a hard time choosing which direction to go in, since I have so many options laid out across the files and categories I have created. I enjoy that feeling of creative abundance, and I love doing different thought experiments as I plot my story.
Are there any tips that you would like to share with other aspiring authors?
Bos: I have only written one book, so I may not be the best person to answer that question. However, if I had to offer advice, I would say to write about what you are passionate about. I believe that authenticity will always shine through, and readers will appreciate it and connect with your book on a much deeper level.
What is your favorite book, genre, and/or author?
Bos: My favourite genres are Gothic, Romantic, and Victorian classics. My favourite book of all time is Wuthering Heights.
What are you working on next?
Bos: Right now, I am working on the second book of my Bon Echo series, titled Bon Echo and The Crystal Library. I am hoping to launch it in 2026.
Interested in checking out the book for yourself?
Find it for purchase here
Want to learn more about Bon Echo and The Competition and Colette Bos?
Author website: www.northernlightspublications.com/northernlightspublications/inspiration.html
Interested in submitting your book for review? Visit my review page for guidelines and submission requirements.
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