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YA Book Prize shortlist: Holly Jackson discusses Five Survive
Caroline CarpenterCaroline is deputy features editor at The Bookseller and chair of the YA Book Prize, as well as being a co-host of children's book radio ...more
Holly Jackson answers our questions about her novel Five Survive (Electric Monkey), a new standalone thriller, which has been shortlisted for the YA Book Prize 2023.
Caroline is deputy features editor at The Bookseller and chair of the YA Book Prize, as well as being a co-host of children's book radio ...more
How would you describe your book to someone who hasn’t read it?
Five Survive follows Red Kenny and five of her friends as they travel for spring break in an RV. But when they break down in the middle of nowhere, they soon realise that this is no accident, someone has trapped them there on purpose, someone who clearly wants them dead. The entire story takes place over eight hours, and we never leave that claustrophobic RV. Will everyone survive the night?
What inspired the story?
After the A Good Girl’s Guide To Murder series, I wanted to write the most different kind of crime thriller I could, almost as a palate cleanser. And I have always wanted to write a book in real time, the entire story unfolding in the same amount of time it takes to read it. That was the spark that Five Survive grew from.
Which character in the book is your favourite, and why?
The protagonist, Red, is my favourite, as I see quite a bit of myself in her, and was able to imagine how I might deal with a stressful life and death situation like this (i.e. not well).
What does being on this year’s YA Book Prize shortlist mean to you?
I’m so happy to be included on the shortlist this year, especially with a cast of brand new characters, and a slightly different thriller-y direction from my previous books.
What’s the best thing about writing for young adults?
I’ve said this before, but I think readers who pick up YA books are much more engaged than other kinds of readers. This makes it very hard to pull off satisfying twists, because they spot everything! It means I have to consistently up my game to keep up!
What was your favourite book as a teenager?
As a teenager, I loved reading Stephen King and Harlan Coben thrillers (probably when I was too young to do so).
What’s your top writing tip?
Screenwriting structure. I am very strict with this now, about hitting the right beats at the right times, and weaving in a tight character journey alongside the pure "plotty" elements. Magic happens when story structure and plot can go hand in hand.
What do you need around you when you’re writing?
When I’m planning and researching: a notebook, a pen and a highlighter. When I’m plotting: colour-coded revision cards. When I’m writing: just my laptop and intense movie soundtracks.
What songs would be on a playlist for your book?
There are actually some songs mentioned in this book which I think should definitely be on the playlist: "Highway to Hell" by AC/DC, and "Paranoid" by Black Sabbath.
Which book, film or TV show would you recommend to someone who enjoyed your book?
One of my favourite films, which takes place over just one night, and certainly inspired me to want to write a "real time" story, was the movie "Panic Room", directed by David Fincher, written by David Koepp.
