If you missed my August newsletter (catch up HERE if you did) I interviewed Triona Campbell about her brilliant speculative YA thriller, A Game of Life or Death. In the book, 17-year-old Asha – still reeling from finding her sister’s dead body – must take on the mysterious VR tech company her sister worked for to find out what really happened. This kept me totally gripped, with a fantastic mystery and a great cast of characters, along with some Ready Player One vibes for good measure.
So, of course, I wanted to find out more about the author…
Enter the 5 Random Questions!
What’s one thing people are always surprised to learn about you?
My first job in film was in the props department – so if you ever need to know about the different types of fake blood (and how to make them on a low budget), I am your girl.
What’s the strangest compliment you’ve ever had?
Teenage rural disco ‘Do you want to be buried with my people?’ At the time, I thought it was a bit serial killer – later, someone told me it was a ‘compliment’ because they only bury you together if you’re married. I still think it’s a line that belongs in a horror film.
You’re invited to a celebrity séance. Which 3 celebrity spirits would you want to chat to?
Okay – super sleuthing time. What really happened to… Marilyn Monroe, Lady Di and Amelia Earhart? Could we ask them at the Séance?
Failing that – I am obsessed with Hedy Lamarr – 1940s bombshell actress in MGM films (and also the inventor of wifi ). So a séance with her, Bette Davis (actress) and writer James Baldwin for cocktails would be interesting.
What’s your favourite thing to cook?
Does wine and cheese count? Anything BBQ that can be eaten outdoors with family and friends. During winter, I love slow cookers.
In the movie of your life, which actor would you want to play you?
I asked my daughter this, and she said Rachel Blanchard, who plays one of the Mums on the series The Summer I Turned Pretty on Amazon. But I think that is because she just LOVES that show (as I did watching it with her, Jenny Han is AMAZING).
About Triona Campbell
Triona Campbell started her professional career producing television for young audiences. She is an award-winning and Emmy-nominated producer and the creator of Gamer Mode, a TV series about video games. She was also an EU Ambassador for female entrepreneurs.
Her passion for storytelling led into writing, and she is a recent graduate of the M.Phil. in creative writing at Trinity College, Dublin. A Game of Life or Death is her debut YA novel.
Find out more about Triona at her website and connect with her on social media: Facebook ~ Instagram ~ Twitter/X
If you missed my interview with Triona about A Game of Life or Death, catch up here. Also remember to sign up for my newsletter which goes out on the first Friday of every month – next month’s will be out 1st September, and will feature an interview with Kate Anderson about her spooky YA debut, Here Lies Olive.
Kat Ellis Writes 