ISSUE #9 | An Interview with Clarissa Van Dell
Clarissa Van Dell might be an eldritch abomination. She is especially fond of speculative fiction, mining her science education for oddities and irregularities that spark new story ideas. Her favorite things are loose leaf tea, the smell of rosewater, freshly grown mint, and vaccines. She loves cats and dogs equally, is not afraid of spiders, and aspires to be proficient in either archery or swordplay. Clarissa has both an Instagram and Facebook page (@clarissavandell) and is working on her debut YA novel, Iceblade.
PLANET SCUMM: What was your first favorite book?
CLARISSA VAN DELL: One of the first books I remember loving was A Wrinkle in Time. It captured my imagination, and I found myself relating to the main character (a smart, but weird girl) in a way I never had before.
PS: What are you working on now?
CVD: I’m currently working on a YA novel. I won’t go into detail, but it involves aliens, magic swords, and the power of music.
PS: What comes to mind when you think about "science fiction" and "winter?"
CVD: My first thought is of the way the stars seem especially crisp and white in the depth of winter, against the midnight sky. There’s not a lot of greenery on Earth and freezing temperatures begin; arguably the time Earth most resembles other planets in deep space.
PS: Improve the cliche: “Writing is like pulling teeth.”
CVD: Writing is like smacking a glass bottle of ketchup. Maybe if you hit the right angle something will come out, but sometimes you hammer that thing for five minutes and all you get is no ketchup and a sore hand.
