All about the novel The Sharp Edge of Fate
Who is TF Johnson?
TF Johnson spends her days in imaginary worlds swordfighting, defeating monsters, and talking with dragons.
TF Johnson has a degree in Interior Design, which she has never used, is addicted to chocolate and coffee, and would spend her days with her head in the clouds if she had the choice. She has an incredibly understanding husband and an English Bulldog who is the best writing companion ever – Even if she does have a habit of putting her head on the keyboard and leaving it there.
In her spare time, TF Johnson collects books to read, which is a completely different hobby to actually reading them. She has 125 books on her to-read shelf, a number which is steadily growing.
When she’s not reading or writing, TF Johnson can be found trying out new hobbies and spending time with her friends and family.
What is The Sharp Edge of Fate about?
The Belladonna is a shadow; an assassin who leaves purple-black berries on the bodies of her victims. No one knows her name, or her face.
Piper is desperate to keep it that way.
When an assignment goes spectacularly wrong, Piper’s carefully separated lives begin to converge. Her target becomes a reluctant ally as they search for clues to the disappearances haunting the city of Silversdale; disappearances that include Piper’s close friend, and a member of the empire’s ruling family.
With two children in her care and time running out before she is due to deliver on her contract, Piper will soon find she has only scratched the surface of a plot that threatens everything she holds dear.
Interview
What was your inspiration for The Sharp Edge of Fate?
The Sharp Edge of Fate has lived rent-free in my head for so many years that I can’t really remember the original inspiration for it. I always had this story about an assassin with a heart of gold, her friend who goes missing, and the friend’s two kids that she ends up having to look after. I loved the idea of turning the assassin into someone really reluctant, who doesn’t feel that she has a choice, and wanted to see what she would do if she was forced to challenge her beliefs.
What drew you to writing?
I’ve always created stories, ever since I was a kid. I suppose for me the writing part came naturally when I had to write my stories down or risk forgetting them. It was around that time that I decided that I wanted to share my stories.
How did you choose which character to centre the story around?
In my head, Piper was always the lead character. I think because my stories usually start with characters, it’s usually very easy for me to decide this. I did play with giving another character (Beks) some POV scenes, however they didn’t make it through the editing process and didn’t really add as much to the story.
What was your process for writing The Sharp Edge of Fate?
The first drafts of TSEOF were scenes scribbled down in notebooks or typed up in various Word and Pages documents. When I strung them together and added in some filler, TSEOF came to about 49k and was very choppy. From there, I started rewriting and revising, and eventually ended up with the much longer draft I sent to my editor Rebecca.
What is your approach to world and character building?
I have several novels and series all planned in the same world of Rhealgo, so I love world building. For me, every time I play with a new story idea, it’s making the world bigger and more vibrant. I’m often turning ideas for how magic works, or what a species can do, or what a culture looks like, even when I’m doing other tasks. Brainstorming these ideas usually leads to something that clicks in with the rest of the world and what else I know about that culture/species/etc. which then in turn makes it into the world bible that I keep in Campfire.
I usually start with characters, so I have some pretty good ideas in what is wrong with them or their situation when I start my books. However during the planning and drafting process, this can change, so sometimes what I think they need is not actually what they need. I like to throw everything that can possibly go wrong with my characters at them, and make them face some of their worst fears. That organically develops their character, and feels the most realistic and relatable to me.
How would you describe The Sharp Edge of Fate in five words?
Assassins, love and magic collide.
Did you have a favourite moment in the book to write?
I have several. The library scene towards the end of The Sharp Edge of Fate will always be one of my favourites; I love that moment of rest after what’s happened so far, where our characters have time to breathe. There’s also another scene shortly after that that I love, but it’s spoilers if you haven’t read the book!
What was your favourite book growing up?
I loved so many books growing up. When I was a kid, I read the Deltora Quest series over and over again until my copies grew very battered. I also loved A Series of Unfortunate Events. I think the first adult fantasy series that I read was Kate Forsyth’s The Witches of Eileanan. That and Tamora Pierce’s Trickster duology remain among my favourite books even to this day.
Do you have a favourite genre to read?
It’s fantasy all the way! It doesn’t matter to me if it’s YA or Adult fantasy, though I find sometimes I’m really craving reading one or the other. I also dabble in Sci Fi and sometimes in a little romance or thriller.
Leave a Reply