Today, I am interviewing award-winning screenwriter and author Roslyn Muir. Roslyn has several credits under her belt, including Ransom (created by Frank Spotnitz, Man in the High Castle,) Washed Away, Stranger in the House, Reluctant Witness, and The Birdwatcher (directed by Siobhan Devine.) Her debut middle grade novel was released on October 15th, and her half-hour young adult comedy, The Tutors, is in development with the CBC.
What inspired you to write a novel?
I never really set out to write a novel. Up until that point I had been writing and selling screenplays and was happy with the direction my career was taking. But often the story and characters have their own idea of what they want. The Chimera’s Apprentice would make a really great film, but I knew I needed to work out the world and characters in prose. At the time I was also doing an MFA in Creative Writing at the University of British Columbia, Canada, and was inspired to try new genres. It was a big risk to write out of my comfort zone, but I’m happy I gave it a go.
How did you come up with the idea for The Chimera’s Apprentice?
Ideas generally come to me as plot or character. For The Chimera’s Apprentice it started with the main character, Kyra. I first imagined her as a younger girl going on a dangerous adventure. Snippets of the story came to me, as they do, and I just let them percolate in my brain for a while. Then one day I was at a yard sale and I found a book for young readers on Greek Myths. I grabbed it for a quarter and leafed through it thinking there might be something that would spark my imagination. When I came to the chimera a light bulb went on. I knew there was something appealing and frightening about the imaginary beast and that I just had to include it somehow.
How did you get into filmmaking?
Peer pressure. It’s an odd thing to say but it’s kinda true. My friends and I were all actors and theatre majors. Coupled with the fact that Vancouver, Canada, where I live, was becoming a film hub, it just seemed to be in the air. Suddenly everyone was writing movies. I also found it easier to write screenplays as they are lean and mean. You don’t need fancy prose. I’m a plotter so it’s a good skill to have in film and TV.
As a filmmaker, what do you look for in a story?
I tend to write female-driven stories. It’s what I know and what I like to watch. I love dramas, thrillers, comedies, and sci-fi. I did direct a couple of short films, but realized early on that I wasn’t very good at it. Now I only write as it seems to be the best use of my couch.
Do you have a favorite project you’ve worked on so far?
My feature film, The Birdwatcher, was by far the most difficult and most rewarding project to date. I worked with a director, Siobhan Devine, who was very passionate about the story. We had both just lost people to cancer so we had that in common. It’s an indie film and was made on a shoestring budget. I had to produce as well and did a variety of jobs and tasks from serving the crew coffee to doing payroll and driving RV’s around. Whew! Writing books is way easier.
What influenced your move from Scotland to Canada?
My parents moved my entire family to Canada when I was seven. It’s always recommended you put an interesting tidbit in your bio ;).
What do you like to read/watch?
I love reading thrillers. Even though I love writing middle grade fantasy, I’m a bit of a whodunit addict. Louise Penny, Tess Gerritsen, Ruth Ware, and Gillian Flynn, are all favourite writers of mine. I watch a variety of shows, but I’m big on Sci-fi—Away, The Umbrella Academy, Star Trek. But I’m also crazy about odd-ball comedies like Schitt’s Creek and Community.
Best advice you ever received?
Write a TV movie. When I was just starting out, a mentor of mine told me about three times that I should write thrillers for Lifetime TV. I resisted, then when I finally did it I found I was good at it. I’ve had several produced thrillers that have been broadcast all over the world.
How have you been spending quarantine?
Eating. Writing. Crying. Not necessarily in that order. Thank goodness for cats.
What is one thing you would like to do but have never done?
My number one on my bucket list is to go to Egypt. I’ve always been into Ancient Egypt and devour documentaries about it. I just love everything Egyptian. Oh, and dinosaurs. I would love to go on a dig and discover a dinosaur.
For more information on Roslyn’s work, check out her social media at the links below and please consider supporting her. In addition to purchasing and reviewing an author’s works, there are many free ways to support them, such as giving them a shoutout on social media, sharing their posts, or leaving a supportive comment.
Website: http://www.roslynmuir.com/
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1777283906/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tpbk_p1_i0
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20607805.Roslyn_Muir
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rosmuir/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/roslynmuirauthor
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.ca/muir1740/the-chimeras-apprentice-middle-grade-fantasy/
IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1803417/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1
The Birdwatcher Movie Trailer: https://www.thebirdwatchermovie.com/trailer.html
OMG (Short Comedic Film) https://vimeo.com/user14044913
C.M. Rushi 