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| DIANA'S
ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS |
12th November 2000.
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From Molly Pierce
- Fire and Hemlock is my favourite book
ever. Have you ever considered writing some sort of a follow-up
or something linked with it?
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Diana's Reply
No, not really. That book depended very
heavily on the way I was looking at two ballads - Tam Lin and Thomas
the Rhymer. So far, I haven't found any other ballad that I could
see in the same way. But you never know. And thanks for the
suggestion. The book I'm currently writing came from someone saying
the same thing about DEEP SECRET. |
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From Elizabeth Ursa
- This is probably a stinker of a first
question to get asked. Sorry. In your talk on heroes on
dianawynnejones.com you mention that you suppressed Black Maria
for years after you wrote it. What made you decide to finally
get it published, and did you consciously use any bits from it
in other books in the meantime?
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Diana's Reply
I've known worse questions. I was asked a
question in Australian by a man who was a Deconstructionist, of
which I understood not one word. I answered Yes, firmly, and he
looked extremely puzzled. At least I can understand yours. The
reasons I suppressed Black Maria were first, that Aunt Maria was a
real person and it struck me as rather bitchy - though satisfying -
to publish the book. Second, I thought it was very frightening and
at that time kids were not into horror quite so much as they are
now. Then the original of Aunt Maria died and I had to go into
hospital and wasn't able to do a book that year, and they were
shouting for one, so I got out Black Maria and realised that only I
knew who it was really about. And it seemed a shame to let it lie in
a drawer. But meanwhile, I was working on the first drafts of
Hexwood - which took a lot of working on - and there was someone
buried alive in there. This made me hesitate some more. But in the
end I decided to send Black Maria to a publisher anyway. |
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From Fuchsia Wilkins
- To Diana, I am doing a design project
at school in the next 2 or 3 weeks and we have to design a
factual book. I would like to do a book about you. Would you
mind if I did? I could send you a copy if I had an address. It
would be called 'An Author's Life' and where you normally write
'The World's of Chrestomanci' I would write 'The World's of
Diana Wynne Jones'. Where the hole in the front cover is I would
put a picture of you from off of this website. I hope you don't
mind. yours truly, Fuchsia Wilkins.
Other Comments
- I am 11 years old. Please write back. I
really want to get 'Mixed Magics'.
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Diana's Reply
I am so sorry. This is rather too late, but I
hope you did your project anyway, because I would have said Yes, go
ahead, please. The reason we didn't get back to you in time was that
your email address can't have been quite right. Replies got bounced.
Perhaps you should check it again. |
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From Karen
- Why did you write about the chemistry
sets in the ogre downstairs?
Other Comments
- I heard this story first on the radio
at school when I was 10...I went on to study O and A level
chemistry because of the interest that I got from your book.
Always wanted to tell you that. Karen (howl) 29 years old
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Diana's Reply
Oh that's great. Thank you for telling me. I
don't think I knew of anything like that happening before. I got
written to by an anxious father whose daughter had asked for a
chemistry set for Christmas because of the Ogre Downstairs - and he
thought she didn't know reality from fantasy and I had to reassure
him that she was only HOPING hers would turn out to be strange - but
I don't think she took up Chemistry. I wrote about chemistry sets
because we had them at home then, like other people have flu or the
plague. They came labelled as odour free and non explosive and
PERFECTLY SAFE. And somehow my kids managed to make the most
appalling smells with them and even the odd bang. There were bowls
of smelly green sludge everywhere. One day I went to make coffee and
discovered that the inside of the kettle was bright red. They still
haven't told me what they did to get that. Anyway, you see, it was
on my mind. Then I thought it was a good simile for the way a family
works - sort of group chemistry, so I made the set into alchemy sets
really - and it was not until much later that I discovered Jung's
idea of Alchemy. |
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From ?
- Mrs.Jones, I read in an online review
on your book 'Eight days of Luke' about how the reviewer
understood the 'joke in the book'. I think it might have been
something based on a legend or a myth?
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Diana's Reply
Do you remember the Beatles song 'Eight days a
week'? That was part of the title. It was supposed to make people
notice that the days of the week are named after the old Norse gods
(people in England used to worship them too) and the way each of the
gods arrives on his or her own day. Mr Chew on Tuesday, and so on.
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From Goldie
- I don't get it... What is meant by the
end of the Crown of Dalemark?
Other Comments
- I think I wrote to DWJ once, but I
never received a reply... I am 15... or rather, will be by the
time this is received, probably.
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Diana's Reply
If you wrote to me via a publisher this may
explain it. They often take the letters out of their envelopes so
that the address is lost before they send them on to me. There is no
way I can reply to those letters. And I'm not sure quite which bit
of the end of The Crown of Dalemark you're asking about. It's quite
complicated. Perhaps you'd like to write again and say, What is
meant by what someone says, or what someone does, or who is
Kankredin, or things like that? |
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From Michael Wynne
- Assuming the market for books has
changed since you first started, if you had it to do over again
how would you go about getting published in today's market?
Other Comments
- My father was English, but the family
name came from Wales. Who knows? We could come from the same
Wynnes. I have written two books (fantasies) for children and am
about to look for a publisher. Any suggestions? By the way, as a
child you moved to Wales. In my case, the move was to Latin
America where I learned Spanish and discovered a wonderful
culture.
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Diana's Reply
Latin America - you had all the luck. I don't
think the market for books has changed all that much, except that
you are luckier now. There is a huge market for fantasy. Try
HarperCollins just for starters. You may have to go on from there,
however. When I began it took literally years of sending stuff for
publishers before I got into print. Very depressing. One publisher
told me afterwards that there was nothing wrong with the book I sent
her, just that she'd never heard of me. That state of affairs is
remedied by having an agent. Maybe you should start by doing that.
They can tell you what is currently politically correct. This
changes from year to year. Gone are the days when I had Eight Days
of Luke turned down on the grounds that children shouldn't strike
matches, but they always have a reason. |
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From Liz Stevenson
- Not a question as such, but....did you
leave a trace of the travel jinx on Year of the Griffin books? I
had my copy delivered on Friday , started reading it on
Saturday, and by Sunday my life was chaos! First I tried to
visit a recommended garden centre near my place of work. No
chance. The road map was out of date, road signs were obscured
by trees and human intervention (damn kids), and to top it all
it started raining. Nevertheless, I did find it in the end. Bit
of a let down really. After all of that searching I at least
expected a few exotic plants, or an eccentric gardener. So on to
the next garden centre, which I know quite well and visit
several times a year. Or at least I thought I did. I know
exactly where it is. Only it isn't there. It hasn't moved,
either. Diana Wynne Jones, what are you doing to me? I'm
confused enough without having my marbles scrambled into the
bargain. I would like to point out that, aside from the points
made at the beginning of Archers Goon regarding immovible
objects etc., none of your books come with Health Warnings. They
should. I have to drive to work tomorrow. I'm frightened that I
might not make it! Anyway, I thought Year of the Griffin was
great. I particularly liked the bit about the black assassin
chicken, which for some reason really tickled me, and am glad
that all of the characters have grown up properly. Well done.
Now would you please get on with a sequel to Hexwood? It's the
least you could do, considering the jinx and all.
Other Comments
- Librarian, aged 28, grew up reading
your books and forgot to stop, really. Still enjoy 'Childrens'
books enormously, and am very happy that you have carried the
charm and sophistication of your writing into 'adults' books.
You should be declared a national treasure!
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Diana's Reply
Well, first of all I'm glad you enjoyed the
book, Mrs Lincoln. And although someone later on has asked why you
blame your troubles on me, considering the weather we've had lately,
I think - fear - you may be right. I have a travel jinx myself. It
works just like it does in the book. Infinite varieties of things
happen when I am on the road - to the extent that one of my sons has
refused to travel with me ever again (this was when the overhead
electric wires came down and draped over our train just outside
London) - but I always get there in the end. This jinx does transfer
to people who try to visit me. But the worst is that my books also
come true. As you were not trying to visit me at the time, I suspect
it is a coming-true. Year of the Griffin started doing this before
it was even published, when I sent my sister an advance copy. The
moment she had finished it, an excited American friend rang up,
saying he had just seen a transparent globe drifting across the full
moon. Could she explain it? Yes, she said. It's my sister's fault.
It's the end of her latest book. |
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From Sarah in Oregon
- Will you be touring in the States any
time soon? Pretty please?
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Diana's Reply
A lot of people ask this, particularly my
American publisher. And I have to explain that, because of a book
coming true (see above), I have had to have two serious pieces of
sugery on my neck. Yes, I was walking around with it broken. Twice.
As a result of this, I no longer travel very well. If someone could
arrange a magic carpet.... Because I love America and I love
visiting there, and there is so much of it I haven't seen. Mind you,
when I get there my travel jinx (see above) goes into overdrive,
and other peculiar things happen. Loose horses gallop into my path,
trees fall (and just miss me), and I go into apartments and all the
pictures fall off the walls. You may be better off without me. |
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From Seamus Feeny
- Dear Mrs Jones; well lets start by
saying I'm a big fan and I've tried reading all your books
though lots were not availble and I'm glad there reprinted well
let me say ive read fire and hemlock about 5 times and I must
admit I still dont get it but I read you adult books ,... I
suppose I dont want you to ruin it but maybe you can help be
look at it at a diffrent angle... and was tam lin the fairy god
attached mush with in the book you were a tolkien student whoaa
im a die hard tolkien fan and a wyneee jones fan too:) what do
you feel about the up and coming "lord of the rings movies"
im a writer my self and i find my self with more of a style that
reflects you then tolkien and last but not least ive read th e
true state of affairs and let me say ive never read such an
ending like that that didnt seem like you but it was great thank
you for being you and always write .... untill you dont want to
Other Comments
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Diana's Reply
Whew. Thank you. I can imagine that the movie
'Lord of the Rings' can only be dire. There have been too many
imitations written for it to be otherwise. And I'm glad you don't
imitate that style (though do I detect a touch of james joyce
here?), because I've always thought that the WAY he writes is the
least good thing about Tolkien. Like overuse of the word 'suddenly'
for instance, and those biblical bits which the imitators make even
worse. Have you read my Tough Guide to Fantasyland, by the way? I
have a dig at that there. And it would make you laugh anyway. And
yes, let us both go on writing. |
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From Micia
- hello, my name is micia. this is not
really a question as I found a typing error in yr book (Charmed
Life). The mistake is one page 105 line 6 "Perhaps
Gwendolen would HE kind enough to......" 'he' should be
'be'. I love yr stories very much.
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Diana's Reply
Typing errors WILL happen. I found that one
too, when it was too late. And would you believe? I made them send
me all the books before they published them and I corrected all the
errors, including that one, and it STILL came out with it in there.
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From Hannah Lovell
- If a live-action film was to made of
Howl's Moving Castle, what actor would you like to be cast as
Howl? And what actor as Chrestomanci, if any of the books he is
in were made into films?
Other Comments
- These questions are because I would
really like to make a film of Howl's Moving Castle and the
Chrestomanci books (not in the immediate future- I'm 15) and
would like to know exactly how you imagine them and who you'd
like to play them.
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Diana's Reply
I've not come across anyone who could play
Howl so far. How about discovering a new actor for it? Howl has a
long, bony Welsh face, like Rob Howley in the Welsh rugby team, only
much more light-hearted and mobile (though naturally capable of
going into an extreme sulk). He needn't be very tall, though taller
than Sophie. As for Chrestomanci, I did meet the ideal actor, but
that was years ago and he would be too old now, which is just as
well, because I forget his name. He and his twelve year old daughter
came to see me and said that he wanted to do Chrestomanci and his
daughter was dying to do the double role of Gwendolen/Janet. And
they were both perfect. Then. He was tall, dark and handsome and
rather actory, and she was fair and full of character. She must be
forty now. But the film idea never came off. People are always
planning to do a film of Chrestomanci and it always falls through.
It must be waiting for you. |
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From Sally Odgers
- I write a column called "Write
Australian" for Suite 101. I sometimes interview authors,
asking specific questions (different for each author) and I
would love to include you. I do most of these interviews by
e-mail, but I could certainly send a questionnaire via your
publisher. http://members.xoom.com/Sallyo/Index.html
Other Comments
- I'm a Tasmanian reader and writer. My
first DWJ book was The Ogre Downstairs, and my favourites, for
many years, were Howl and Fire and Hemlock. Now Dark Lord and
Griffin are pushing them close. I write fantasy as well as
reading it; my favourite of my own fantasy books is Translations
in Celadon. I did write to you once before, long ago. You
answered me on purple paper!
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Diana's Reply
Please feel free to interview me. Shoot it to
the web page or to my publisher if you prefer. If my email has a
good day, which it doesn't always - today is too good to last - I
will reply as soon as I get it. Why haven't I read Translation in
Celadon? I devour all fantasy. Who publishes it? I will get my
favourite bookseller to get it for me. |
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From Tomoko
- Hello My name is tomoko. 25 years old.
I am the fan of DIANA WYNNE JONES. I am Korea but have your fan
page with the Japanese word.
http://www.mars.sphere.ne.jp/rinn/dwjlove/dwj1.htm
There are questions. It is extremely glad when it is possible to
answer. I became your fan at the first book by the Japanese
word, in "Charmed Life" by it. However "The
Chronicles of Chrestomanci " in Japan There is only one "Charmed
Life". A series after it isn't translated. Will the day
when it is possible to read other "Chronicles of
Chrestomanci" with the Japanese word come? Surely, a lot of
other books of the Jones, too, will become published with the
Japanese word. But I am glad about the fact that it is possible
to read the new book of the Jones with the Japanese word.
because it is possible to read only six now. Anyhow, be true.
Thank you for reading to here. It thinks that it is good if
English becomes better.
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Diana's Reply
First, I must say how pleased I am to have a
fan from Korea. And how kind of you to write. Second, there is to be
another Chrestomanci book in Japanese, The Lives of Christopher
Chant. I have just signed the contract for it, so you will have to
wait until it has been translated, but I think they will bring it
out next year. Lately they are wanting to do more and more of my
books. Sorry I can't say more in public about the other matter you
mention. My contract tells me not to. But I will tell you that next
Monday I have a whole team of people from Japan coming to see me.
They want me to give them tea. |
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From VEN
- I was recently involved in a lively
discussion with other fans about Eight days of Luke. I thought
that something was in the air between Luke and Astrid, and that
they were going to become, uh, romantically involved, if only
for a brief time. Not everyone agreed. So, while this is not an
appeal to the author to prove I'm right (!)I would welcome her
comments. I have been an admirer of DWJ's books evere since
reading Eight days of Luke when I was twenty, it remains a great
favourite. I've just finished the Year of the Griffin, most
perspicacious on the subject of education. One of the previous
questions refers to the travel jinx, I don't think the
questioner shoul dtake it personally in the light of the way the
whole of the UK is suffering now.
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Diana's
Reply
Well, I'm not sure about these jinxes. I do
have them and they do spread. As to Eight Days of Luke, if there is
to be anything between Astrid and Luke it will not be until Astrid
has got over her affair with Thor, which is very definitely in
there, though between the lines. Then she might begin seeing that
Luke is cleverer. I certainly had it in mind as a possibility, but I
was never sure of the timing. You can tell the rest of them that.
One thing I do like to do, is to leave room for this kind of
speculation at the end of a book. It gives you something to chew
over in your mind afterwards. You can't do that if all the ends are
neatly tied. You left space to speculate yourself at the end of this
question. Like to say more? |
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