Fiction Scribe

Hello and welcome to Fiction Scribe, Ms. Reid.

Let’s start with getting to know you a little better. List five things you feel define you as a person.

Wow! Good question. I guess I’d say I’m passionate (especially about ‘following your bliss’, don’t get me started), funny (well, my daughter thinks so although I draw the line a fart jokes) , creative (I’ve got a special pair of Imagination PJ’s)…that’s three…um…okay, I’m also very spiritual (not religious but you won’t find me climbing a guru’s mountain either) and…social (give ‘er a dinner party and the girl thinks it’s Christmas!).

Where did the inspiration for The Questory of Root Karbunkulus come from?

I had the idea for DréAmm, the location for my book many, many eons ago and because I was involved in live theatre I wrote it as a musical. But I never really liked the feel of it in this format. It felt limited. Plus, I hadn’t quite come into the ‘hook’ yet, that thing that made me go “yes, this is it!”

It wasn’t until years later when I caught a snippet of that TV reality show “The Amazing Race” that I finally got that ‘aha!’ moment. I loved the idea of teams of kids all racing against each other in a glorified kind of scavenger hunt to find something very, very important. DréAmm then became a magical land where virtually anything could happen. That’s when the main character, Root Karbunkulus just showed up and led me around. Of course then the plot got really got good with all sorts of agendas going on, personal and otherwise. In the end, the name ‘DréAmm’ stayed but everything else was ditched.

Around this same time I was leaving the theatre and facing a new role as Single Mum; the perfect combination for finally doing that thing that you promised yourself that you would do but never did.

Tell us about Root.

Ah, Root. She’s so alive! She’s just this amazing teen with a big, fat heart and a stubborn drive to be all she can be. She’s smart and funny and welcoming. She doesn’t judge people. She’s been there done that on the receiving side and just won’t go there. She’s open and honest but can slip into self-doubt like the best of ‘em. She values friendship and great food but not necessarily in that order  Root is way more brave than she thinks, although she’d prefer to not test that notion all too much. Root reminds me of the bright orange part of the rainbow. Root rocks.

A magical story usually takes place in a magical setting. What are your favourite things about the world you’ve created for Root?

To me, DréAmm is the best parts of our planet, the richest deepest colors and scents. It’s a very natural world, sort of like an unfiddled with Earth. That is one of my favorite things about it. And I love that its magic is rooted in its natural laws, much like gravity or the change of seasons.

You mentioned in an interview that you love playing with names. Is that your favourite part of the writing process?

Oh yeah! Most of the time I play around with sounds until I find something that, to me really captures the essence of the character. It’s one of my favorite things to do. I’ve got pages of names just waiting to be delegated!

What are your dreams for your writing? Where do you see yourself in five years both as a writer and as a person?

Traveling. Living on the coast. Having backyard bar-b-q’s and bonfires with great friends and family. Not much different than it is now. I have always made a balanced life my top priority. Writing is a wonderful part of my life, just as important as my family, my friends, my dogs, my home, my health.

What is the most valuable piece of advice you have been given/learned in your life as a writer?

I remember spewing all my angst to a teacher once, going on an on about how I wanted to write and yet, how hard it was to make a living at it and was I even any good and what if I fail blah blah blah. Then, after I finished he said “Follow me” and led me winding through the school halls all the way to the little supply store by the office. We walked along the aisle until he stopped and picked up a pen. He turned, went to the counter, paid for it and then handed it to me. Then he just walked away. It was the best advice I got and, though there has been the occasional residual angst, I have never looked back.

Is there anything else you would like to share with the readers here?

Here, take this pen. Or paint brush. Or spatula. Or (insert your dream here)….walk walk walk walk…me walking away.

Thank you very much for coming by this blog. I wish you great successes with The Questory of Root Karbunkulus.