In the hidden folds of the world, Lily possesses a gift unlike any other - the ability to hear the untold stories of the departed. But as she delves deeper into the labyrinth of human emotion, she realises that some secrets are better left buried…
This is Jessica Grundeman, author of the ghost story All The People Who Died Here.
We spoke with Jessica about how she started her writing as a young child, how this idea has “haunted” her and whether any real-life inspirations are layered between the pages.
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You mention in the blurb of this debut release that your first book was in fact Snowy the Dog, a story written on a folded piece of notebook paper at six-years-old. How far has your writing come from then?
In the 38-plus years since I wrote Snowy the Dog, I have learned and experienced a lot and my style of writing and what I write about has certainly evolved and matured.
As a child, my writing reflected my surroundings and my whimsical fantasies, with a lot of influence from my favourite childhood authors. As a teenager my writing matured and began to be more of an outlet for my feelings and an exploration of who I was and what I could do with my creativity.
As an adult, my writing has taken many forms, being an outlet for my feelings, a way to cope with situations and a at times purely a form of creativity. It has at times been sporadic, with life getting in the way, but after completing my first book, I believe that it is back for good; my writing has grown into a representation of who I am, with I believe, a strong voice moulded from my years of life learning and experience.
Also, I know more words now!
With a lifelong desire to write and publish your work, were you ‘haunted’ by the idea? Is that why your debut title, All The People Who Died Here, is a chilling ghost story?
I was haunted.
It felt like I was letting myself down by not pursuing my passion and my talent. At times I was haunted by all the unfinished stories I had, all the characters I’d created that I’d left in limbo. So, when the idea for All the People Who Died Here came to me, I was determined to see this one through and finally achieve my dream.
The central character of your book is a gifted woman called Lily, who has the ability to listen to stories from the recently departed. Are these stories inspired by real-life or crafted from raw emotions?
It was a bit of both really. I did draw on experiences I’d had, stories from my past and even dreams I’ve had, but some of it did just come from that raw, emotional place where stories are created. The thing inside me that can imagine and conjure up these fictional beings and events. When I can tap into that place inside me, I can even surprise myself with what comes out sometimes.
Whilst your story does contain darker events, the overwhelming portion of your writing aims to uphold the resilience of the human spirit. Why did you want to promote these ideals in your story?
I have at times of my life been an extremely dark person - I still can be - but seven years ago, I survived a life changing, near death experience, that put me in a coma for four weeks. Although it left me with a disability and a lingering trauma, I find that it is not always dark.
When I was writing this story, I could feel that there was something much darker in me that I could have created, but the positivity of catharsis and a resolved story kept breaking through. I try now to hold onto the positives, so that I can remember and stay connected to my resilience, and I wanted my readers to experience that too.
Even though your debut release has just been released, we sense that your writing journey is only just beginning. Where is the next destination and what can you tell us about it?
I certainly have ideas for at least three to four more books and one of them is a continuation of the story introduced by Lily. I even believe there is possibly a series of books that could come from this first one.
There where things left unresolved in All the People Who Died Here that warrant revisiting and there were parts of Hannah’s character and her history that were not even mentioned. So, although I have two other very exciting ideas nagging at my mind, it seems the most logical next step is to develop the next chapter in Lily’s Legacy.
We left Hannah with a developing, strengthening psychic gift: the wisdom, tools and stories bequeathed to her by Lily - a mystery that was never solved - and a mystery that had not even been revealed yet.
The next destination is there.
All The People Who Died Here is available now in paperback.
