{"id":197667,"date":"2019-02-28T10:00:00","date_gmt":"2019-02-28T08:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/germistoncitynews.co.za\/197667\/horror-is-the-spice-of-life-for-sian\/"},"modified":"2019-02-28T15:31:19","modified_gmt":"2019-02-28T13:31:19","slug":"horror-is-the-spice-of-life-for-sian","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/develop.citizen.co.za\/germiston-city-news\/news-headlines\/2019\/02\/28\/horror-is-the-spice-of-life-for-sian\/","title":{"rendered":"Horror is the spice of life for Sian"},"content":{"rendered":"

She delves into the world of horror, creating characters and scenarios that will chill the blood.<\/p>\n

This is Sian Claven (30), a Marlands resident and horror author.<\/p>

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Although Sian has only been writing for three years, she has been published in two anthologies of short stories and has published six novels.<\/p>\n

Her seventh, which moves away from horror into the realm of fantasy, will be released on her birthday, March 15.<\/p>

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The book entitled Unlikely Hero tells the story of a space hiker who suddenly has to escort two strangers across the known galaxy while unaware that they are fugitives.<\/p>\n

\u201cI decided to forgo publishing with a traditional publisher and publish my novels independently,\u201d Sian said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI wasn\u2019t happy for someone else to reap the profits of my hard work.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Some of Sian Claven\u2019s published novels.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

With indie publishing comes a lot of hard work as you have to market your books yourself and get your name out into the writing world.<\/p>\n

Sian has always been interested in writing and was an avid reader from a young age.<\/p>\n

\u201cI used to write stories for my sister Jackie Knott,\u201d Sian said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI started out as a fantasy writer, but then developed into a horror author.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy sister would say that I am such a good horror writer because I am afraid of everything.<\/p>\n

\u201cI even sleep with the light on and I believe I take that terror and put it into my books.\u201d<\/p>\n

A typical day for Sian is to go to work at the family business in Bedfordview and then go home and write.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

ALSO READ:<\/span><\/p>\n

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Author writes to inspire and help others<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIf I am not writing I am marketing,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI also do something called Movie Monday where I chat on a Facebook group about writing and I am busy doing a series of videos where I discuss the process of writing and how you can get your books out there.\u201d<\/p>\n

For her books, Sian gets inspiration from a number of places.<\/p>\n

\u201cOne of the things I have to organise as an indie author is my own book covers, so I look at pre-made covers which are for sale.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I find one I like it can be adjusted to suit my book.<\/p>\n

\u201cI gather inspiration from looking through the covers and, as I am a very visual person, when I see something that interests me, ideas will start forming,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

She also bounces ideas off her best friend and housemate (who is a fantasy author) and her housemate\u2019s husband.<\/p>\n

\u201cI draw inspiration from her as it helps to have someone who understands the writing process and I can vent to her,\u201d Sian said.<\/p>\n

When she is not writing Sian enjoys scrapbooking and knitting and belongs to a hobby group.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am also passionate about dogs and have three, namely, Luna, Draco and Sirius,\u201d said Sian.<\/p>\n