Today you get to know the author of a middle grade fantasy novel The Adventures of Stanley Delacourt, which is a promising start to the Hartlandia series. Here’s an interesting interview with Ilana Waters.
A little about the author: Ilana Waters is a freelance writer who lives in New Jersey.
When not creating content for websites, she can be found working on novels and
short stories—as well as nibbling string cheese. She once pet-sat an electric
eel, and enjoys walking in circles around the park for no particular reason. Ilana is currently writing Book II of the Hartlandia trilogy, due out in 2013.
Thank you so much for this interview, Ilana.
Thank you,
Priya!
Priya!
- The
title of the book says “Book 1 of Hartlandia.” Could you tell the readers
a little about your world? How much research went into creating it?
World-building is
such a funny thing in fantasy literature. Everyone agrees that it’s a crucial
element of the story, but almost no one can agree on how it should be done. My
basic recipe for the world of Hartlandia was to take everything I loved about traditional,
medieval, Tolkien-style settings and put them in a novel.
such a funny thing in fantasy literature. Everyone agrees that it’s a crucial
element of the story, but almost no one can agree on how it should be done. My
basic recipe for the world of Hartlandia was to take everything I loved about traditional,
medieval, Tolkien-style settings and put them in a novel.
As you might
imagine, this was quite a task. 😉
imagine, this was quite a task. 😉
Naturally, I didn’t
want to copy anyone else’s world, but construct one with my
own “flavor” and personality. I literally wrote a list of everything I wanted
in “my” world. Castles. Cottages. Magic forests that appear out of nowhere.
Then I considered what I didn’t want (graphic
violence—certainly present in medieval times, but inappropriate for a
children’s novel. It also makes me queasy).
want to copy anyone else’s world, but construct one with my
own “flavor” and personality. I literally wrote a list of everything I wanted
in “my” world. Castles. Cottages. Magic forests that appear out of nowhere.
Then I considered what I didn’t want (graphic
violence—certainly present in medieval times, but inappropriate for a
children’s novel. It also makes me queasy).
I did a fair amount
of research on the time period, the tools used, and the way people might have
acted. But since I wanted the story to resonate with 21st century
readers, not all of that made it into the final draft.
of research on the time period, the tools used, and the way people might have
acted. But since I wanted the story to resonate with 21st century
readers, not all of that made it into the final draft.
This took a lot of
rewriting and cutting things out so I didn’t “info dump” on the reader. And I
realized, sadly, that I wouldn’t be able to include everything I
wanted. Pirates. Galleon ships. Epic battles between armies. But that’s okay—it
leaves a few things for Book II and III!
rewriting and cutting things out so I didn’t “info dump” on the reader. And I
realized, sadly, that I wouldn’t be able to include everything I
wanted. Pirates. Galleon ships. Epic battles between armies. But that’s okay—it
leaves a few things for Book II and III!
And to add my own
flavor, I made the world a mishmash. It’s what I call “mostly medieval.” But
there are many elements that wouldn’t have existed during that time. Things
like libraries, female apothecaries, public schools, and factories. And Double
Fudge Mocha Latte Very Very Cherry Chunk ice cream. It didn’t exist back then.
But it should have.
flavor, I made the world a mishmash. It’s what I call “mostly medieval.” But
there are many elements that wouldn’t have existed during that time. Things
like libraries, female apothecaries, public schools, and factories. And Double
Fudge Mocha Latte Very Very Cherry Chunk ice cream. It didn’t exist back then.
But it should have.
- What
is your favourite thing about writing fiction? Do you write anything other
than novels, like short stories, flash fiction or poetry? (I would love it
if you could share with us a poem or story!)
My favorite thing
about writing fiction is going to sound pretty simple: you can do whatever you
want. I especially like the fantasy genre, because you’re not constrained by
reality (as you are in contemporary fiction). Don’t get me wrong—I like
contemporary fiction too. But haven’t you always wanted to live in a world
where you could meet fairies, make up spells, and own a magic sword? I know I
do!
about writing fiction is going to sound pretty simple: you can do whatever you
want. I especially like the fantasy genre, because you’re not constrained by
reality (as you are in contemporary fiction). Don’t get me wrong—I like
contemporary fiction too. But haven’t you always wanted to live in a world
where you could meet fairies, make up spells, and own a magic sword? I know I
do!
And yes, I write a
lot of things besides novels. Right now I’m working on two novellas—the first I
hope to publish in the beginning of the year. That one also takes place in
Hartlandia, but centuries earlier. You get to meet one of the character’s
ancestors and go on an adventure with him.
lot of things besides novels. Right now I’m working on two novellas—the first I
hope to publish in the beginning of the year. That one also takes place in
Hartlandia, but centuries earlier. You get to meet one of the character’s
ancestors and go on an adventure with him.
I’m also working on
a free (!) short story of Hartlandia (also taking place many years before Stanley).
That should be available in 2013 as well. Hopefully I’ll put out Book II of Stanley in
the same year. Oh, and I have a vampire paranormal romance due in February or
March as well (no joke). Because I thought the world could use one more of
those. ;-P
a free (!) short story of Hartlandia (also taking place many years before Stanley).
That should be available in 2013 as well. Hopefully I’ll put out Book II of Stanley in
the same year. Oh, and I have a vampire paranormal romance due in February or
March as well (no joke). Because I thought the world could use one more of
those. ;-P
I’ve been
experimenting with flash fiction as well—it’s so much fun! I can’t believe I
never tried it before. I think everyone should. And poetry, oh yes! There are a
few poems in The Adventures of Stanley Delacourt which turn
out to be more than “just” poems. But of course, your readers will just have to
explore the book to find out more!
experimenting with flash fiction as well—it’s so much fun! I can’t believe I
never tried it before. I think everyone should. And poetry, oh yes! There are a
few poems in The Adventures of Stanley Delacourt which turn
out to be more than “just” poems. But of course, your readers will just have to
explore the book to find out more!
I’m afraid I don’t
have any flash fiction that’s polished enough to show you at the moment. However,
here’s a poem I considered for Stanley that was ultimately
left out:
have any flash fiction that’s polished enough to show you at the moment. However,
here’s a poem I considered for Stanley that was ultimately
left out:
RIDDLE
How can you love
something that
bites?
bites?
How can you water
a flower that
bleeds?
bleeds?
How can you stand
on the tips of your
toes
toes
and try to serve
every need?
every need?
How can you hunger
for bread that is
rotting?
rotting?
How can you thirst
after poisonous
drink?
drink?
Why do you run
a race never-ending—
Your efforts worth
less
less
than you
think?
think?
How do you rule
a subject-less
kingdom?
kingdom?
To master yourself
is a story untold.
How can you drop in
a well-water bucket
and come up with
nothing but gold?
- Are
you a reader, too? If you had to pick between reading and writing, which
would you choose? Okay, easy one, your writing keeps reminding me of Diana
Wynne Jones. Were there any particular authors or books that influenced
your writing?
Of course I am a
reader! I don’t think I know a writer who isn’t. And to pick between reading
and writing would be an impossible task. Each informs and inspires the other,
so they’re pretty much fused together.
reader! I don’t think I know a writer who isn’t. And to pick between reading
and writing would be an impossible task. Each informs and inspires the other,
so they’re pretty much fused together.
And thank you for
saying my writing reminded you of Diana Wynne Jones. She is one of my favorite
authors (I even did a
blog post on her), whose style I do try to emulate. She was a definite
influence. And I mentioned Tolkien earlier, of course. I think Philip Pullman’s
world-building is something I aspire to as well.
saying my writing reminded you of Diana Wynne Jones. She is one of my favorite
authors (I even did a
blog post on her), whose style I do try to emulate. She was a definite
influence. And I mentioned Tolkien earlier, of course. I think Philip Pullman’s
world-building is something I aspire to as well.
Thank you again,
Priya, for having me on your lovely blog!
Priya, for having me on your lovely blog!
Doesn’t the book sound like fun? Check out the review tomorrow and until then you can visit the author’s website right here!
Tabula Rasa 
Thank you so much again, Priya, for having me on your site. I hope your readers enjoy the interview! 🙂
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