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Author:
Lyndy
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Date Posted: 14:39:09 05/07/02 Tue
I hope you guys havnt seen this, if you have I'm just clogging the message board up, Sorry
Lyndy
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Cecilia Dart-Thornton's The Ill-Made Mute raced to the top of best-sellers lists soon after its publication in 2001. Cecilia returned in January 2002 with book 2 of The Bitterbynde Trilogy, The Lady of the Sorrows. The following is an interview Dymocks' Todd Alexander conducted with Cecilia, based on questions suggested by Dymocks Online visitors.
Each visitor whose question appears in the interview receives a copy of The Lady of the Sorrows, with thanks to Pan Macmillan.
The Ill-Made Mute | The Lady of the Sorrows
Visit Cecilia's website
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Cecilia:
Thanks for sending on the questions from your online readers. I feel honoured to be part of your first ever interactive author interview!
Todd:
I wanted to start, briefly, by asking you about your success with the Ill-Made Mute. It had an enormous impact on the Australian literary scene – you seem to have come from nowhere! First of all, can you tell us a little bit more about yourself?
In Nowhere, one has the time and space to improve one’s writing until it is close to becoming worthy of public viewing. That is one reason why I stuck to working in Nowhere for quite a long time. I did not want to emerge waving some half-baked novel in need of much improvement.
I have been writing stories ever since I was old enough to hold a pencil. My parents saved some of my early efforts, and I still have them in my keeping. I wrote my first story at the age of 4. I was in my first year at school and had just learned how to shape letters on a page. The letters are very round and carefully shaped, accompanied by pictures. This first saga was a 3-minute tale of a prince on a horse, and a beautiful princess. There were lots of trees in the pictures. (Basically, not much has changed in my themes since then.)
My ambition was always to become an author. Several years ago I started writing a story that was to become The Ill-Made Mute, Book 1 of The Bitterbynde trilogy.
About the success of The Ill-Made Mute – how did it happen, how has it has affected you?
I was writing as a form of recreation, not with any real thought of ever being published. In hindsight I suspect this was an advantage, in that I did not feel I ought to be constrained or influenced in any way by current trends in the fantasy genre. I was free to do exactly as I liked; to include lavish description, to pace the story as I saw fit, and to use a vocabulary I found exciting, but which risked being too far from the mainstream to become popular. As it turned out, these were precisely some of the ingredients that did appeal to readers! Furthermore, the fact that there was no deadline allowed me leisure to lovingly research every detail.
Writing was, and is, a joy for me. I would continue to write even if no-one ever read my work. In fact no-one did read a word of The Bitterbynde Trilogy until I had completed all 3 books. Then one of my friends perused it and liked it. This encouraged me to visit an online writing workshop, where I posted half a chapter as a way of “testing the water”. Online Writing Workshops are a boon to writers. Budding authors can post some of their work on the Internet and receive critical feedback from other members of the workshop.
On the Del Rey Online Writing Workshop, the editors/administrators read all the pieces submitted each month and choose what they consider to be the best, giving them the “Editors’ Choice” awards. When my half-chapter was picked for this award the first time I posted, I was ecstatic. Later, one of the workshop’s administrators contacted me privately by email to tell me he thought I was publishable, and did not need to be involved in a workshop. He sent me the contact details of a literary agent.
The Del Rey Online Writing Workshop is based in the USA, so of course the literary agent was also based there. She took me on as a client, and immediately sent the manuscript of The Ill-Made Mute to Warner Books in New York. With a week, Warner had bought the entire trilogy, with a handsome advance written into the contract. Best of all, they wanted to publish the trilogy in hardcover – which they have never before done with a new author! By then I was in a kind of dreamlike state of disbelief.
After that, Pan Macmillan UK and Pan Macmillan Australia signed me up, followed by Luiting Sijthoff in The Netherlands and AST Publishing in Russia. The Ill-Made Mute and its companion volumes are now to be published in 3 languages throughout 11 countries. At this point, words fail me. . .
You asked how this has affected me. To begin with, the world that always exists inside my head now entertains visitors, for the first time. This can be scary. The visitors are, of course, the readers. All the time I was writing the 3 books, no-one else ever entered my alternative world. Only I knew its topography, only I knew its inhabitants. Now strangers have entered and taken a look around. This was terrifying at first; like a kind of invasion. Now, however, it’s a delight. I can finally share Aia and Erith with other people, and to discover that they are as enchanted as I, is sheer pleasure!
Secondly, I have found that “doing publicity” is a lot of fun. I have been interviewed on the ABC’s 7.30 Report, Good Morning Australia, the Today Show, and more radio stations than I knew existed in Australia. The Bulletin, Who Weekly and a multiplicity of excellent magazines have featured stories about The Bitterbynde, as have several newspapers. It’s all pure fun, let me tell you, and nothing like as stressful as I had imagined!
Thirdly, the publication of my books has allowed me to travel. In 2001 I went to Philadelphia, where I was part of the official program of the World Science Fiction & Fantasy Convention. From there I went to New York for publicity interviews, and to meet my publishers. Afterwards I flew to London where I gave interviews left right and centre and signed books until my hand almost dropped off. My UK publishers threw a Launch Party for me, and I ended up in a huge photo on page 3 of the London Times. (Hand miraculously intact.)
In case I was getting any delusions of grandeur, I returned home to continue my real life, eg. scraping soggy lint out of the plug-hole in the laundry trough, and scrubbing hardened gunge off the dogs’ food bowls.
Truly, I love the way my life has changed. I have been invited to participate in the Sydney Writers’ Festival, I was guest speaker at the inaugural Gippsland Writers’ Festival, I get to do fun things like online interviews and I am meeting fascinating people all the time.
Being published hasn’t changed me, even though it has changed my circumstances. Deep down I still can’t believe all this, and keep thinking it will all suddenly go away. I feel overwhelmingly grateful and amazed when people say they like my work, and I always have this sense it is far more than I deserve.
As you know, we asked our web site readers to ask you some questions of their own. So in no particular order, here they are.
Carolyn Ong from Randwick asks:
By now, I'm quite confident you've watched Peter Jackson's “Fellowship of the Ring”. What did you think of it?
Carolyn, you have read me like a book. Yes, I saw it on opening day. The end credits state “Based on the book by JRR Tolkien”, and those two words should be emphasized – BASED ON. This is not the story as Tolkien told it, but a motion picture adaptation that sometimes strays utterly from the original, becoming an entirely different tale.
But I loved the movie. I did not expect it to project the power of the written word and it didn’t, but as a movie, on its own, without any reference to a book, it was wonderful.
The scenery, the costumes, the visual casting of characters are superb. The overall look is spectacular.
Best scenes: all the sweeping vistas of landscape, especially the long ranges of smoking mountains; the mines of Moria, Saruman’s underground forges, the Black Riders chase scene, the amazing vertiginous pan of Saruman atop Orthanc, calling down the wrath of Caradhras on the Fellowship. (Wish I had a cinema rewind button for that one; I’d be watching it over and over.) Rivendell was beautifully depicted, but Lothlorien could have been better.
Main dislike: Ian Holm’s Bilbo Baggins was a ghastly creature, unpredictable and unlovable; not at all the nice old English gentleman of the books. On the other hand, Ian McKellen’s Gandalf was perfect. I think he was born for the role. The other members of the Fellowship were also brilliantly portrayed, although Viggo Mortensen’s Aragorn exhibited very little charisma, unlike Sean Bean’s Boromir.
I have always been a sucker for special effects, armour, costume and landscape. TFoTR had them all.
Robin Rider from Mansfield asks:
What or whom is the inspiration for your characters and how do you develop them? Do you ever dream about your characters?
This sounds like a question a fellow writer would ask! I suspect you are a writer, Robin. If so, I wish you good luck with your endeavours. My characters are inspired by real people and by characters in favourite books. I don’t dream about them (unfortunately) but I have occasionally dreamed the names of places, waking up with the syllables ringing clearly in my mind. Dreams do play an important role for writers and while I don’t dream of specific characters, I dream feelings, eg. the feeling of what it is to fly, or a sense of wistfulness, of looking for something lost; feelings so potent they can become the well-spring of a story.
Once the characters come into being they seem to develop by themselves as if they already exist in some hidden dimension. Characters evolve easily for me: it’s plot that causes me heartache and labour.
Brian Phang from Subiaco asks:
Of all the different genres of fiction available, why did you choose to write fantasy fiction? And who is your favourite fantasy fiction author?
Answering the second question first – Tolkien, there is no doubt whatsoever! My favourite living author is Tanith Lee, whose use of language is an inspiration and a marvel.
Why did I choose to write fantasy fiction? It chose me. I never consciously made a choice. I always wanted to write fantasy (and science fiction) and never even considered any other genres. The reason for this is explained in my answer to Helen Turnbull’s question (below) about my childhood reading material.
A while ago I started writing a historical novel, but a magical element began to creep in almost immediately. To me, the story seemed far too bland without it! I can’t help writing F & SF; it gives me the most joy.
Natasha Cauchi from Sydney asks:
What happens to the stormriders? I am currently reading The Ill-Made Mute and they only seem to rate a mention in the first paragraph or so.
Well, Natasha, they do remain an important part of the social system throughout the trilogy, but the focus shifts away from them somewhat. By now you may well have read Book 2, The Lady of the Sorrows. Not to give too much away to anyone who hasn’t, but in Book 2 a certain protagonist pays a return visit to the Stormriders in Isse Tower. . .
Sounds as if you like horses, am I right? Many people have commented that they are pleased with the way horses are described in The Ill-Made Mute. (Personally, I would love to own an eotaur.)
May Ann from Bullcreek asks:
What is your view on the global phenomenon of Harry Potter, and do you think it is overrated purely from a literary viewpoint?
In my view, almost anything that makes kids interested in reading books has to be a good thing. JK Rowling’s stories are intricately constructed, with complicated plots, plenty of detail, wide scope and thoughtful characterizations.
Having said that, I will add that my personal choice of top books for children would be The Hobbit and the Chronicles of Narnia. Next I would heartily recommend children’s stories written by Alan Garner, Australia’s own Paul Jennings, Nicholas Stuart Grey and E. Nesbit.
I applaud JK Rowling for her success and for bringing pleasure to so many children but those who say that her books are lacking literary merit may have a valid point.
Not all books of literary merit are popular, and vice versa. Popularity is its own merit. Take Terry Pratchett’s work, for example – he is one of my favourite authors; clever, witty and unfailingly hilarious. He makes me laugh as no other author can, but he ain’t no Shakespeare and he’s the first to admit it. I think it’s safe to say the Literary Establishment and Popular Readership shall not always be in accord!
Donna Battams from Coomera asks:
How do you come up with the titles for your books?
TH White wrote a wonderful story entitled The Ill-Made Knight. I thought it an intriguing title, and “Ill-Made” seemed apt as a description of the protagonist of Book 1, so I adapted White’s title.
Title is vital, if you’ll excuse the pathetic parody of poetry, Donna. I spend a great deal of time pondering titles. They have to grab people; to be intriguing but also relevant. And they must not give away any surprises! For Book 2, I felt that Lady of the Sorrows would attract me, as a reader. I would want to find out what the sorrows were. (Inquisitive nosey parker that I am.)
Vicki Marcella from Mt Druitt asks:
Do you find there is more or less pressure on an author when they are writing a trilogy?
Vicki, fortunately I have never yet been under pressure from an editor or an agent, because I’ve never tied myself to a deadline.
I do put pressure on myself, however, to ensure that every detail is consistent no matter how long the narrative. The Bitterbynde is 470,000 words long and many subplots are woven throughout. It is crucial to me that I get everything right, and leave no thread untied at the end. This is where the pressure lies, but it is self-imposed.
I have found I am unable to write short stories. I am a species of author that loves to have limitless numbers of words to play with. (Scribblius wordibunda.) Writing trilogies is easier fro me than writing a single novel, but I am sure this varies from writer to writer.
Helen Turnbull from Sunnybank Hills asks:
What did you like reading as a child, and did those authors influence you?
My mother loved fairy tales and science fiction. Both my parents made sure I always had plenty of such books on hand, borrowed from the local library. I devoured those books. I was nourished by words, steeped in the amazing, raised on magic. I lived half in the real world, half in some place inside my head. At the age of nine I entered Middle Earth, via The Lord of the Ring. Professor Tolkien’s trilogy made an enormous impact on me, and subsequently I was driven by an ardent desire to create an alternative world of my own.
Other authors who influenced me include C. S. Lewis, Isaac Asimov, Ray Bradbury, Arthur C. Clarke, Ursula LeGuin, George MacDonald, Nicholas Stuart Grey, Thomas Hardy, Cicely Mary Barker, Alan Garner, Andrew Lang and - in later life - Shakespeare.
The reading material to which I had access formed me into a writer of fantasy. I was influenced by the books my mother loved. Our house was lined with shelves of books. The oldest were the books of English and European fairy tales collected by my mother during her own childhood. She belonged to a Science Fiction Book Club and during my growing years the volumes of SF just accumulated in long delicious rows that ramped ever higher, until we were living in a house built of mind-boggling literature.
Steve Vincenzi from Adelaide asks:
Do you think the title of a book can contribute to its success? (Ill Made Mute is an intriguing title…)
I think the title of a book can affect the likelihood of a prospective reader picking it up for examination while browsing in a bookshop or library. The more intriguing a title is, the more inquisitive we become. However, there are many other factors involved in that first attraction, such as the jacket art, whether the author is well-known, the position of the book on the shelves, whether only the spine is showing or the front cover, and so on. Once the book is in the reader’s hand, however, the title can only carry it a certain distance before the actual contents catch the reader’s eye clinch the decision one way or the other!
Rosalind McVey from Artarmon asks:
What word would you have banned from the English language?
Your question made me smile, Rosalind! To wield enough power to do things like banning words, one would need to be wearing Sauron’s ring, I think.
I would not ban any words, because in my view, the more words we use, the richer our language becomes, which in turn enriches our lives. I love the nuances of the English language, permitted by its constant borrowing from other tongues, its constant state of flux, its invention and adoption. If I had Sauron’s ring I’d decree that everyone should increase their vocabulary!
While I would not ban any words, I would enjoy seeing limitations placed on the gratuitous and repetitive use, (in literature, cinema and radio), of certain ancient English words referring to excrement, genitalia and the act of procreation. While I do not consider them innately offensive (merely boring,) I will not write them here in case others are offended. All words are legitimate and have a place, but many “swear-words” have been so over-used they have lost their so-called shock value and degenerated to a meaningless, unoriginal and sleepy drone.
Christian Apperton from Potts Point asks:
Why do you think fantasy writing is rarely given a high profile in literary awards of Australia?
Christian, I think this is a world-wide phenomenon, not confined to Australia. The Literary Establishment has never been comfortable with Tolkien, for example.
Perhaps it is something to do with the view that “magic is for children”, and is not supposed to be the province of serious, grown-up readers. Perhaps people think that fantasy has nothing to do with so-called real life, and that only “real life” is valid as a basis for literature. With that I disagree; fantasy plays a vital role in our inner lives and is part of what makes us human.
Thanks to our web site readers for those questions. Just a few Todd ones now Cecilia:
Which three people would you most like to meet?
I am going to answer this question strictly according to the way in which it was asked; who would I most like to meet. If you had asked; “which three people do you consider to be the greatest benefactors of the planet Earth?” or “who are your heroes?” the answers would be different. There are many and varied reasons why I would like to meet certain people, but as I have taken up far too much of your time already, I won’t delve into them!
Of people who are no longer with us, I would passionately love to meet Professor JRR Tolkien. One of my other favourite authors is Tanith Lee, and I have already met her! This was a thrill and a privilege for me. It turned out that my editor in London is a good friend of hers, so he arranged a meeting. She even attended the Ill-Made Mute Launch party in London! I can hardly believe I have actually met one of the people on my “impossible-to-meet wish list”.
Back to the question. I would love to meet Christopher Tolkien, JRR Tolkien’s son, and also Daniel Day-Lewis, whose portrayal of Hawkeye in that magnificent movie The Last of the Mohicans inspired the depiction of Thorn, the male protagonist in The Bitterbynde.
Your jaw is going to drop when I tell you the third person I would like to meet.
The Queen of England.
Well, we all have our own little secrets, Cecilia. Let’s not go there… Do you have any plans after you finish The Bitterbynde Trilogy?
Certainly! I am working on a second trilogy, as yet unnamed. It is set in the same universe (called 'The Uille') but on a different planet. There is an abundance of eldritch wights in this second trilogy, because I love my supernatural creatures too much to cease recording their exploits.
If I stop cleaning the soggy lint out of the laundry plug-hole for long enough, I might even finish one book of the new trilogy quite soon.
Todd Alexander
Dymocks Category Manager
January, 2002
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