Be careful what you post online. Your next check-in might lead him right to you… A serial rapist is kidnapping teenage girls. But he’s not interested in just any teenage girls—only virgins. He hunts them by following their status updates and check-ins on social media. Once he’s captured them, they’re locked away in his sound-proof basement until they’re groomed and ready. He throws them away like pieces of trash after he’s stolen their innocence. Nobody escapes alive. Until Ella. Ella risks it all to escape, setting herself and the other girls free. But only Sarah — the girl whose been captive the longest — gets out with her. The girls are hospitalized and surrounded by FBI agents who will stop at nothing to find the man responsible. Ella and Sarah are the keys to their investigation, but Sarah’s hiding something and it isn’t long before Ella discovers her nightmare is far from over.
What is Sarah hiding from Ella? To discover the depths of the nightmare in ‘Appetite for Innocence’ I’ve been joined by author Lucinda Berry. Lucinda, what inspired you to write a novel that explores such a dark aspect of the world.
I am a child psychologist specializing in trauma. This book, much like all my books, are loosely based on actual cases.
How did the characters come to you? How much of the characters are based on these cases?
They were drawn from a compilation of my patients.
Without giving too much away, what do you feel was the important message that combination of events and characters share to the reader in this book?
Trauma effects each individual differently.
What has this message and the rest of your experiences from this book taught you?
To be careful with my online activity.
That’s a very pertinent message to today’s world, and one that should not be understated, but at times this can feel a little scary. Let’s stop being scared and look at the more positive aspects of your book, starting with the rewards. What was most rewarding about sharing the importance of being careful with your online activity with your audience?
I have really enjoyed hearing back from my readers about how much they’ve loved the story. Interacting with my readers is one of my favorite parts of being an author.
You’ve mentioned the word author, so we’re going to have to talk about writing and books! Why do you write?
I love it.
A writer who loves writing always has another project waiting in the wings. What can you tell us about your next project?
I am currently working on another psychological thriller.
With so many thrillers being written, I just have to ask, who are you thinking about when you are penning the thrilling storylines?
Nobody. I just focus on writing.
Do you have any special practices or techniques that help you focus on writing?
I have a very busy life so I fit in writing whenever I can.
As you’re fitting your writing in around other commitments do you feel you know the ending before you start writing, or do you find the end after you’ve started?
It varies depending on the book.
I’ve always found that if you don’t have a clear direction, it’s much more likely that you will spend a large amount of time editing to bring your ideas together. How do you tackle editing efficiently?
I write very cleanly because of all of my years in academia. However, I always hire an editor and proofreader.
How has hiring an editor and proofreader allowed your writing to progress? Alongside all of the writing practice, you get of course!
I’ve just continued to grow the voice that was already there.
Can you tell us a little about the journey that this author voice has already been on?
I am a hybrid author. I have traditionally published books as well as indies.
As someone who has seen both sides of the writing world, what tips do you have any tips for other self-published authors?
Just do what works best for you.
You should always do what works best for you. I’m going to take that advice myself, and return to one of the questions that I find works best for me. If you’re in a vehicle going the speed of light, what happens when you turn on the headlights?
You stop:)
I think we’ve just turned the headlights on here too because we’re out of time and need to stop. Lucinda, thanks for chatting with me about writing and some of the darker elements of the world that are portrayed in your nail biter ‘Appetite for Innocence’.
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Excited to read the book we discussed today? Find it here on Amazon: ‘Appetite for Innocence ( ASIN: B06XFSJ196 )‘.
Want to find out more about Lucinda Berry? Connect here!