All about the novel It Waits in the Forest
Who is Sarah Dass?
Sarah Dass is a young adult fiction author from Tobago that is best known for her debut work of fiction “Where the Rhythm Takes You.”
While she was born in Trinidad, her family moved to Tobago when she was two years old. Dass has been telling stories since she was a young child. At the age of eight years old, when she ran out of “Nancy Drew” novels to read, she tried to pen her own. She would later go on to attend the University of the West Indies and University College London.
Sarah grew up in a seaside resort in Tobago and her debut novel draws inspiration from her experience living there. She has described “Where the Rhythm Takes You” as the book she would have wanted to read when she was growing up – a romantic, contemporary YA story set in her home country. She hopes readers like her, who love Trinidad and Tobagonian or Caribbean-set fiction enjoy and connect with her characters.
What is It Waits in the Forest about?
Unlike the other residents of the small Caribbean Island of St. Virgil, Selina DaSilva does not believe in magic. With a logical mind and a knack for botany, Selina used to dream of leaving the island to study Pharmacology—until a vicious, unsolved attack left her father dead and her mother in a coma.
Now her guilt over her mother’s condition keeps her tethered to the island, relegated to conning gullible tourists with useless talismans and phony protection rituals. But when one of those tourists ends up at the center of a string of strange murders, the truth that Selina has been denying can no longer be avoided: there is evil lurking in the forests that surround St. Virgil. Another thing that can’t be avoided? Selina’s ex-boyfriend Gabriel, newly employed at the local newspaper and eager to put his investigative skills to use.
Desperate to put an end to the killings and claim justice for Selina’s family, these two former lovers race to find answers. But evil bides its time. And as long-buried feelings and long-hidden secrets about Selina’s family’s past begin to reveal themselves, only one answer remains—and it waits in the forest.
Interview
What was your inspiration for It Waits in the Forest?
After watching The Haunting of Hill House miniseries, I got really into horror movies and TV shows. For a while, it was all I was watching. During that time, I got the idea for a horror story where someone pretending to be a psychic is dragged into a dangerous supernatural situation.
What drew you to writing?
As a very young child, I would memorize my bedtime stories and recite them for my family. After a while, I did start forgetting pieces of the stories, so I made up new parts on the spot. Performing like that would absolutely terrify me now, but it was my first taste of storytelling and I loved it.
What are the differences of writing contemporary romance to fantasy?
Fantasy is traditionally more plot-focused. While writing a supernatural thriller like It Waits in the Forest, I had to be more detailed with my outline, and more conscious of how and when I released information to draw readers into the mystery.
How did you choose which character to centre the story around?
A writing tip I learned a long time ago is to make the main character the worst person for whatever situation the plot demands. This automatically generates conflict. In It Waits in the Forest, Selina doesn’t believe in magic and she has a contentious relationship with the other islanders. These aspects of her character make it difficult for her to investigate the seemingly supernatural murders on the island.
What was your process for writing It Waits in the Forest?
My original idea for It Waits in the Forest was an adult horror novel. But when the opportunity came to write a young adult novel for Rick Riordan Presents, I reworked the idea, adding more fantasy and mystery elements.
What is your approach to world and character building?
While I do outline my plots ahead of time, I fill out character and world-building during the drafting process.
How would you describe It Waits in the Forest?
It Waits in the Forest blends fantasy, mystery, romance, and horror in a story about a fake psychic who is forced to team up with her ex-boyfriend to investigate a string of strange murders on their island.
Did you have a favourite moment in the book to write?
I don’t want to give away too much. I’ll just say there’s a party scene that was a lot of fun to write.
What was your favourite book growing up?
I have a special place in my heart for the Nancy Drew series. I even wrote fanfiction for it, before I knew what fanfiction was. At the time, I had run out of books to read so I tried writing one myself.
Do you have a favourite genre to read?
I love reading all kinds of books. Once it sounds interesting, I’ll pick it up. Unsurprisingly, I’ve been reading a lot of horror lately. Two recent favourites were Delicious Monsters by Liselle Sambury and The Honeys by Ryan La Sala.
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