Emma Deards

Emma Deards grew up in New York City and earned her undergraduate degree at Barnard College at Columbia University , where she studied Japanese literature and biology. She was then accepted to The University of Edinburgh, where she completed her veterinary degree. She remained in the UK afterward, and since then has split her time between her day job as a vet and her truest passion: writing. Emma has authored a number of humor articles for In Practice, a veterinary magazine, and was the recipient in college of two writing awards: Oscar Lee Award and the Harumatsuri Award. Wild with All Regret is her first book. 

Facebook: @emma.deards

Instagram: @emmadeards

Twitter: @emmadeards

Are there particular films that have influenced your writing?

I find that films with quite immersive worlds really draw me in.  Movies as an art form have a visual aspect which writing really does not, and I try my best to create a feeling of immersion and a sense of place when I write.  I would say I’m more influenced by books rather than movies, but this book was partially influenced by the film versions of The Hours, Call Me By Your Name, and Dunkirk. I sort of get inspired by little bits and pieces everywhere.

Is there a genre of music that influences your writing/thinking? Do you listen to music while you write?

I always listen to music when I write!  When writing I tend to avoid music with lyrics as I find these distracting, so soundtrack music is a good bet.  I try and keep the mood of the music matching the mood of the scene, and I find that this makes the narrative flow really easily.  That being said sometimes I’ll hear a song that reminds me so strongly of my book that I make a mental note to have it be included in the movie trailer if anyone ever makes a movie about it (Humbling River by Puscifer, in case you were wondering).

What period of history do you wish you knew more about?

I wish I knew more about ancient Greece and Greek mythology.  It’s such a rich and beautiful world where so much of the original text has been lost to the ages.  I was very excited by the book Song of Achilles and would love to write something about Thanatos!

What’s your favorite comic strip or graphic novel?

I’m more of a manga reader than a graphic novel reader, truth be told.  My favorites of all time are Attack on Titan, Jujutsu Kaisen, Oyasumi Punpun, and Fullmetal Alchemist.  As for non Japanese graphic novels, I love Maus, Persepolis, Fun Home, and Ghost World.

What’s the oddest thing a reader has ever asked you?

Why I don’t include more graphic sex scenes.  It’s because I don’t really enjoy writing them very much and don’t feel they help my narrative move along.