SHELF LIFE
MAZ EVANS
As the children’s author publishes her first novel for adults, she picks her five favourite books
Over My Dead Body is my debut novel for the adult market (‘my debut adult novel’ provokes other connotations…) and has, like its author, had a long and complex evolution. I originally wrote it as a TV script, but I had an unfortunate habit of getting pregnant every time it gained some traction – not that the two things were related. I had always intended to turn it into a novel, but once my debut children’s novel Who Let the Gods Out? published in 2017, life swept me along on a different current. Therefore, like so many writers, it wasn’t until I was faced with endless quality time with my family during the pandemic that I found the hours and inclination to do a considered rewrite. I had always liked the premise – adead woman solves her own murder – but was quite anxious about my first attempt at a murder mystery. Fortunately it turned out to be an extension of the meticulous planning process I have to put in place to write – Iliterally had to plot the perfect murder, which I thoroughly enjoyed on multiple levels.