Today I am a little nervous. Normally I'm happy to stay out of sight, living in your dreams and legends. But Colin made an odd request a few weeks ago which has been playing on my mind.
You see, he suggested that people might be interested in chatting with me on a one to one basis.
So this is how this has come about. I had to pick a book which I liked the look of and contact the author. This was incredibly difficult. You humans write a lot of books, some of which were even worse than Colin's.
In the end I went for a book about one of my favourite times in your short history, the American Civil War. I've recently read another book set in this period. I find your outlook on what happened quite amusing; I mean, you completely overlooked the shortage of mint sauce which was caused throughout the world, when every ship flocked to supply your military with that silly gunpowder stuff...Ha!
The Author's name is Kim Murphy, and her book is called Whispers from the Grave
Whispers from the Grave
Claude
Well, Kim, do you
like dragons? And if so what is your favourite colour?
Kim
Of course, I love
dragons. How could anyone in their right mind, not love them? As for color, my
favorite color depends on my mood, and right now, with the snow on the ground,
green sounds rather attractive.
Claude
Hmm, I find that
for a human, you seem to have rather good taste. I think we might enjoy each
other's company. But, I digress. Please, tell me about the book you've written.
I believe it's about a ghost. I'm not a great fan of ghosts to be honest, but
this one might be a friend of mine. Apparently they haunt the mid 1800's. I was
there you know. Lots of humans dodging large round balls. I
found them quite tasty myself (the cannon balls, not the humans. They give me
indigestion). But please, tell me about your book.
Kim
I can definitely
understand why you're not a fan of ghosts, and I doubt the one in my book
Whispers from the Grave is a friend of yours. He's not very nice. My story
begins in the modern era on a secluded Virginia plantation by the name of
Poplar Ridge. Christine Olson visits her friend Judith Cameron. Before long,
she dreams of a Confederate soldier, who happens to look a lot like Judith's
brother, Geoff. Chris continues to have visions, which include a terrifying
one-eyed Union scout. She discovers she's seeing the past through the eyes of
woman by the name of Margaret. Little by little, she uncovers Margaret's dark secret
that took place during the American Civil War, and Geoff's connection to the
woman from the past.
Claude
Hmm, an
intriguing plot, Kim. I will clear a space on my shelf for it. I find I'm drawn
to this one eyed scout, however. Is he the ghost, or might this question cause
too much to be given away? Snort, I know what you writers are like with your
plots and plans.
Kim
Yes, he's a
ghost. He's the one that I warned about not being very nice.
Claude
Ooh...I see this book
spans two time periods, one modern day, and the other back a few years ago when
your countrymen had that little fight.. Oh it was bloody enough, but nothing
compared to the dark ages. I still remember my old friends Merlin and Arty. He
hated being called that, you know, but Merlin teased him endlessly. I must
say, however, you have done your research for this book. I know, I was there. Do you
feel it's important to get the details correct in historical fiction? After
all, this is a novel, not a textbook.
Kim
I think it really
depends on what type of historical fiction. For instance, I would expect fewer
details in a genre historical romance, than straight historical fiction. There
are a lot of very knowledgeable people when it comes to the American Civil War.
Heck, many are still fighting it. Therefore, I aim to be correct as possible,
and I put a note at the end so readers know where I've taken liberties. That
certainly doesn't mean my way is the only way. I love the research because I
enjoy bringing little known facts to the forefront. At the same time, I
certainly believe a writer shouldn't bog the book down to the point where
they've forgotten to tell a story. As you said, it's a novel, not a textbook.
Claude
Hmm, I totally
agree. I have read quite a few books over the years. Colin used to get
headaches after I moved into his head, because I bought them all with me.
Something about my bookshelves giving him a migraine. I have unfortunately read
some books that concentrate on the facts, to the detriment of the story. Yours
strikes a lovely balance, if you don't mind me saying. I loved the
inevitability of the actions in the past affecting the present. this was very
well done.
Kim
Thank you for
your kind words. Sometimes it can be tough to strike the balance, but I try my
best.
Claude
It's obvious
you've but a lot of work into this. Do you find that you miss your characters
when you've finished?
Kim
Most definitely.
It usually takes me a year or two to write a book, so when I write sequels,
I've spent a lot of years with characters. Then I'll start something new and
begin the process all over again. It's fun getting to know new characters and
see where they'll take me.
Claude
Yes, well Colin
feels the same. The idiot actually cried last week when on of his characters
died. But anyway, Kim, thank you very much for agreeing to chat to me. As you
can see I don't get many visitors. I personally like the aroma of roast lamb
and mint, but it's not to everyone's taste. I wish you many sales and lots of
luck.
Kim
Thank
you. It's been fun!
So this has been my first interview thingy. I enjoyed it. Almost as I enjoyed my supper. But then you all know dragons love their food.
So this has been my first interview thingy. I enjoyed it. Almost as I enjoyed my supper. But then you all know dragons love their food.
