‘This
is a classic in the making - a mythical magical fable in the
tradition of Tolkien and JK Rowling.’-
PHIL DAMPIER, ROYAL
COMMENTATOR & SUNDAY EXPRESS JOURNALIST
‘A
beautifully presented, wonderfully unique debut.’ -
THE SUN
'Fantasy
fans will warm to this tale of how being different can be a strength
rather than something to be feared.'
- DAILY MAIL
'Action
packed. This book is on fire.”-
DAVID LLOYD, SPORTS ENTREPRENEUR
I
love to get an insight in to an author's mind and this week we get to
know Julia Suzuki, author of the popular Land of Dragor series.
The
series excited me before I had read the first words, as the reviews
above show comparisons with one of my favourite writers JRR Tolkien
and also the one thing that had me sold was the map of the Land of
Dragor! I fell in love with the worlds of Tolkien and George RR
Martin because of such things! I expect great things from this
lady, so lets get to know her better!
Julia
was born in Tamworth, Staffordshire. Growing up she listened to the
magical sounds of animals and fairground rides from a theme park near
her home. Her love of reading, nature and the outdoors fed her
imagination and inspired her to become a storyteller,
She
worked for a division of Disney licensing, and with a famous
leisure entrepreneur before becoming an author.
"I
learned a lot in those formative years which I feel has benefited my
work and business vision"
She
goes on to say-
"It
was during the time that my son was at junior school that I was
inspired to write the first novel. Ideas came flooding to me. I
had been thinking back to the wonderful vintage books I had read and
wishing there were more like this - yet with unique edge and an
interactive web presence. I knew first hand what parents,
grandparents, aunts and uncles were looking for when purchasing a
book for their children, but more than that, I knew also what they
sought themselves. Readers want gripping action, loads of adventure -
all the classic aspects of heroes and villains, quests and
hangars and the hope of happy endings.
I
wanted to write books with universal appeal, that were fantastical
and yet in many ways real to today; to fulfill the expectations of
book lovers and hook a non-reader back into reading. For me
this had to be in the form of a series, set in and a place we would
all like to visit - and so the Land of Dragor came to be"
She
had received a British Arts Council award this year and is a Patron
of Reading. Her hobbies and interests include dance,
fashion, movies and reading.
Julia,
When did you first start writing, and is this the only book you have
written?
I
have always written, often just personal diaries that I found
pleasurable - but it was five years ago that I first felt the urge to
write a book and yes this is my first.
How
did you come up with the idea/story line for this book? Is
there any personal story behind it (did you used to like dragon
stories when you were a kid)?
Yoshiko
(the lead character) came to me in a sort of vision one day. I felt
strongly inspired, at that exact moment, to write the first novel -
the plot and idea formed relatively quickly. I have always liked
dragons because they are so majestic and powerful. I often feel I
have 'fire in my belly' but in my own way - being a determined
person.
How
much of the book is realistic?
Although
it is a fantasy novel I have been told it still seems very real. The
dragons are very human like. They do many of the same things that
children do such as going to school.
What
was the hardest part about writing the “Land of Dragor”?
I
believe an author’s first book will always be the most difficult
because you are in unknown territory, learning, and hoping for the
best. For me the most difficult part wasn’t the first chapters, but
keeping momentum after that. With perseverance it became easier.
In
this book, Igorr bullies Yoshiko a lot, but Yoshiko doesn't really
ever fights back, or argue, or even resorts to violence, which is a
good thing, but was there any specific reason behind making him act
this way?
Igorr
is the classic bully. He is selfish, self-serving, manipulative and
uncaring. Yoshiko is the opposite. You have a scenario playing out in
'Dragor' that is repeated in children's play grounds throughout the
world - and even in the workplace. I believe once anyone becomes
angry at a bully they are losing their own 'now' moments and giving
their power away to them; showing what they do is having affect.
Yoshiko took the 'higher' stance. It was not that he did not feel
angry, far from it, he felt injustice hugely and it boiled and boiled
inside him. He constantly asked himself 'why me' and it often bought
him to floods of tears.
The
hurt Igorr inflicted was really absolutely huge. However, Yoshiko
used the hurt inflicted to drive him and that was the positive
outcome. I believe anyone who is victimized by others can win
through by putting their energy into being a better person themself
rather than lowering themselves to the level of the bully.
Igorr-types must be suffering really badly to have all those issues,
always looking to the worst in people, being impatient, easily
angered, saying cruel, personal and mean things to Yoshiko-types and
always gossiping about them. The injustice is even greater as Yoshiko
did not ever do a thing wrong to Igorr and yet Igorr dismissed that.
Yoshiko sought to understand Igorr, even help him - but in the end it
was so draining that he realised he must focus on himself. Who knows
what the future will bring though - I don't think Yoshiko will stay
so patient in the future if Igorr continues to do things to hurt him
so selfishly! WATCH THIS SPACE
I
would like to ask as a Disney fan, you worked for Disney
licensing, did you get any inspiration from the world of Disney?
Yes,
I learned a lot about the Disney retail industry and the cogs within
that global entity that make a children's brand take off. The most
important thing is the brand guardianship which involves
maintaining/protecting the image and developing it forward. I worked
for the UK licensing division where they launched film merchandise
into the retailers. The volume and diversity of products was
incredible, especially from their key characters. The characters that
worked best were those people could really engage with which is also
so important when writing a novel.
Are
you planning to adapt the series to screen?
I
would love to.
Where
do your ideas come from?
By
coincidence I was asked this exact question by a student today! (I
have been at a local secondary school with it being ‘World Book
Day’). I responded that the ideas seem to, ‘just appear to me out
of the blue’, and he replied ‘like magic Miss.’ I thought that
very accurate.
Are
experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?
There
are a lot of personality traits, in the main characters, that are
based on people I have known in my life. Yoshiko, the lead
character, goes through a lot that I did at school in terms of
meanness from other pupils and shyness. And I have definitely known a
few Igorrs (his nemesis) in terms of people who tried to
trip me or others up or betrayed me or did the meanest things whilst
pretending to be friends or indeed family. I think a lot of
people can relate to this and they stick together and enjoy the book
because they can relate to it.
There
is a huge amount of character strength and fortitude shown during the
experiences of Yoshiko and his friends. It was great to be able to
take his lifes’ negatives and what was thrown at him and turn it
into a positive outcome– I believe there is no greater feeling than
this for anyone in life.
I
notice that you have a fantastic map at the start of the book, can
you tell me a little about how you came up with this? (I love maps,
being a fan of Tolkien and George RR Martin and their maps I very
much appreciate yours!) Thank you. I am glad you like it. I
visualised it and designed it like a theme park. I imagined the
entrance, where the rides would be, the gardens and many more
aspects. If you look close you can probably see it yourself now I
have mentioned it.
I
wanted to create a land everyone would want to go to, one with a bit
more edge than has ever been designed before - real adventure - more
than just a fairy tale - somewhere that felt incredibly real!
Having
worked in the resorts industry very closely with the leisure
entrepreneur David Lloyd for six years the concept came to me because
of that business understanding. I used to live right next to a
theme park in Staffordshire from birth until age 10; I have always
had a huge love of zoo animals and fairgrounds.
Any
writing rituals?
I
like to work through the night, just with the screenlight. I feel
more creative at this time.
You
said you kept personal diaries, my eldest daughter is 7 and has just
started keeping a diary, when did you start?
About
7, the same age as your daughter actually. To young girls diaries are
a private matter - very secret, not something they wish to share :).
Mine helped me to express myself freely which I think is very
important in a child's development.
In
your opinion which is more important; characters or plot?
I
would say characters! If a reader falls in love with a character I
believe they are more likely to stay loyal – even with an ‘iffy’
plot. I would think less so the other way around.
How
do you deal with writers block if or when you experience it?
I
haven’t so far. But I think I would be kind to myself rather than
worry too much. I may go and do something to distract myself, like a
good night out with my friends. I am sure it would clear my mind.
What
authors do you enjoy to read? What book or books have had the most
influence on you and/or your writing?
CS
Lewis and Enid Blyton were my childhood favourites. Many fantasy
movies have influenced me too, probably even more so than books -my
favourite is Avatar.
If
you could have one superpower- strength, ability to fly, breath fire,
what would you choose?
I
would love to fly as Tinkerbell does!
What
do you consider to be your best accomplishment to date?
I
love my home and consider it my sanctuary – it took a lot of work
to get it just so. It is a girlie thing to think of home as our
palace and I like to keep it well looked after, clean and tidy.
Where
can you see yourself and your writing in the future?
Completing
the series is going to be quite the journey itself. My heart is in
‘Dragor’ and continuing to write the most compelling work for my
fans is a must for them. I feel thrilled with how well
received my series is and the reviews.
Is
there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?
Yes,
that we all have a special gift. That we can overcome obstacles no
matter how difficult they seem if we don’t give up, but persist and
communicate and work hard. That kindness, above all things, is the
most commendable characteristic.
Is
there anything you would like to leave with the readers
today?
Pursue
the things that make you feel in your element – that create that
certain fire in your belly ,where you feel alive and seem to lose
sense of time.
Some
quick questions!
Last
Book - Fire by Kirsten Cashore
Last
Film - Lawless
Last
Cd - Hed Kandi - I love dance music to work out to!
Thank
you Julia for taking the time out to share with us!
The
Gift of Charms Book #1 is NOW available in paperback to PRE-ORDER at
AMAZON HERE http://tinyurl.com/o95ufw9
Connect
with Julia at
