2 ways to write a Cinderella Assassin – Part 2: An Interview with Jennifer Ellision, author of Striking Midnight

I had so much fun while interviewing K.M. Robinson, the author of Cindrill, another Cinderella assassin retelling.

But while I was writing the interview questions for her, I couldn’t help but think about how I would answer them in regard to my own Cinderella assasin in Striking Midnight.

So, lo-and-behold, today, I interview… myself!

2 ways to write a Cinderella Assassin – Part 2: An Interview with Jennifer Ellision, author of Striking Midnight

Besides the fun twist of an assassin Cinderella, what makes Striking Midnight a unique Cinderella retelling?

My Cinderella tale is set in a fantasy realm where two kingdoms: Noctis and Sol, have power over light/day and darkness/night. Through a magical treaty, they split the powers so that each kingdom can have both day and night.

But when the last Noctisian King passes, the contract is null and void. Noctis is plunged into darkness and cold without the warming light of the sun. And Sol is slowly roasting in their neverending day.

Also the wicked Stepmother is holding Cinderella’s throne in her hands, so there’s THAT.

Which hallmarks of the original Cinderella tale are present in Striking Midnight?

Once her father passed away, my Cinderella character was firmly under the thumb of her wicked stepmother. The two tales have that in common. But due to an archaic law, her literal witch of a stepmother has assumed Cyn’s birthright and is using Cyn to assassinate people “for the good of the kingdom.”

Cyn also goes to “Prince Charming’s” castle when he’s looking for a wife, at the request of his father–and she flees from the ball.

What’s the relationship like between your Prince Charming and your Cinderella character?

Squeeee. I love these two.

They both meet each other expecting the worst. They’re predisposed to hate because, in their eyes, each other is the reason that their kingdom is suffering.

But neither of them is what the other expects. Once they prove those misconceptions wrong, they slowly grow to understand each other.

The attraction between them doesn’t hurt one bit either.

Where did your inspiration come from for an assassin Cinderella?

The short answer is: this piece of art by WLOP on DeviantArt.

The longer answer is that this picture was posted in the YA Fantasy Addicts Facebook group as a writing prompt. We were to write a couple paragraphcs about the story this told.

Maybe it was the juxtaposition between darkness and light that made Noctis and Sol come to life. Maybe it was the epic staircase that put me in the mind of Cinderella.

All I know is that I knew exactly which story it told for me. I wrote the first draft of the Striking Midnight blurb then.

Given my predisposition for loving assassins (you may have noticed them in the background of my Threats of Sky and Sea series), and the fact that Cinderella is my favorite Disney princess, I’m honestly surprised I didn’t come up with it sooner.

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