Comments on: Take Five Interview: Juliet Marillier and Heir to Sevenwaters http://writerunboxed.com/2008/11/04/take-five-interview-juliet-marillier-and-heir-to-sevenwaters/ about the craft and business of fiction Wed, 23 May 2012 23:52:59 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Juliet http://writerunboxed.com/2008/11/04/take-five-interview-juliet-marillier-and-heir-to-sevenwaters/#comment-123513 Juliet Mon, 17 Aug 2009 02:45:09 +0000 http://writerunboxed.com/2008/11/04/take-five-interview-juliet-marillier-and-heir-to-sevenwaters/#comment-123513 Yes, Heart's Blood is very close to the same length as Heir to Sevenwaters. Yes, Heart’s Blood is very close to the same length as Heir to Sevenwaters.

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]]> By: lovelybones http://writerunboxed.com/2008/11/04/take-five-interview-juliet-marillier-and-heir-to-sevenwaters/#comment-123453 lovelybones Sun, 16 Aug 2009 10:14:19 +0000 http://writerunboxed.com/2008/11/04/take-five-interview-juliet-marillier-and-heir-to-sevenwaters/#comment-123453 No, they certainly weren't *g* (too long, that is) Thanks for taking your time on explaining the whole scenario, now I can see things much, much clearer! Is Heart's Blood also about the same average length like your last novel Heir to Sevenwaters? No, they certainly weren’t *g* (too long, that is)
Thanks for taking your time on explaining the whole
scenario, now I can see things much, much clearer!

Is Heart’s Blood also about the same average length like your last novel Heir to Sevenwaters?

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]]> By: Juliet http://writerunboxed.com/2008/11/04/take-five-interview-juliet-marillier-and-heir-to-sevenwaters/#comment-123435 Juliet Sun, 16 Aug 2009 02:13:07 +0000 http://writerunboxed.com/2008/11/04/take-five-interview-juliet-marillier-and-heir-to-sevenwaters/#comment-123435 lovelybones, when a book is published separately in (say) Australia and the USA, there are various different ways editors can deal with their job. Sometimes, it's true, one editor will use the fully edited material from the other and only change what's required for her readership (for instance, spelling will be Americanised.) That never happens with my books! Often it will be a different publishing house in each country, and usually each editor wants a say in the editorial process. Sometimes they disagree, which makes it difficult for the author. In the past for me, the different editions have sometimes come out months apart which means different editors are expecting me to work on their version at different times. I was very lucky with Heir to Sevenwaters, my first book with my new US publisher, Penguin (published by Macmillan in Australia and the UK.) All three editors agreed to work together and give me just one set of editorial notes, and all three publishing houses agreed to publish their editions at the same time. This time around, they all pretty much agreed on what changes they wanted to my original manuscript. It was much, much easier than some experiences I've had in the past! I've had the same very considerate treatment with Heart's Blood. I believe that if an editor is doing her job properly and is genuinely committed to the book being as good as possible, she'll want some direct input into any changes that are made. For my adult books, my contracts with the US publisher specify 140,000-160,000 words. It's quite good for me to keep within this! Some of my earlier books were probably a bit too long. lovelybones, when a book is published separately in (say) Australia and the USA, there are various different ways editors can deal with their job. Sometimes, it’s true, one editor will use the fully edited material from the other and only change what’s required for her readership (for instance, spelling will be Americanised.) That never happens with my books! Often it will be a different publishing house in each country, and usually each editor wants a say in the editorial process. Sometimes they disagree, which makes it difficult for the author. In the past for me, the different editions have sometimes come out months apart which means different editors are expecting me to work on their version at different times.

I was very lucky with Heir to Sevenwaters, my first book with my new US publisher, Penguin (published by Macmillan in Australia and the UK.) All three editors agreed to work together and give me just one set of editorial notes, and all three publishing houses agreed to publish their editions at the same time. This time around, they all pretty much agreed on what changes they wanted to my original manuscript. It was much, much easier than some experiences I’ve had in the past! I’ve had the same very considerate treatment with Heart’s Blood.

I believe that if an editor is doing her job properly and is genuinely committed to the book being as good as possible, she’ll want some direct input into any changes that are made.

For my adult books, my contracts with the US publisher specify 140,000-160,000 words. It’s quite good for me to keep within this! Some of my earlier books were probably a bit too long.

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]]> By: lovelybones http://writerunboxed.com/2008/11/04/take-five-interview-juliet-marillier-and-heir-to-sevenwaters/#comment-123406 lovelybones Sat, 15 Aug 2009 15:08:52 +0000 http://writerunboxed.com/2008/11/04/take-five-interview-juliet-marillier-and-heir-to-sevenwaters/#comment-123406 ohh, interesting interesting *scratcheshead* I'd understand that the YA-books have a maximum length ... but -- HEIR TO SEVENWATERS ?? Why is it actually that you needed to work with the american editor? I thought it suffices working with the australian editor (sorry, - no idea how this editor-writer-thing works...) ohh, interesting interesting *scratcheshead*

I’d understand that the YA-books have a maximum length … but — HEIR TO SEVENWATERS ??

Why is it actually that you needed to work with the american editor? I thought it suffices working with the australian editor (sorry, – no idea how this editor-writer-thing works…)

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]]> By: Juliet http://writerunboxed.com/2008/11/04/take-five-interview-juliet-marillier-and-heir-to-sevenwaters/#comment-122891 Juliet Mon, 10 Aug 2009 03:57:06 +0000 http://writerunboxed.com/2008/11/04/take-five-interview-juliet-marillier-and-heir-to-sevenwaters/#comment-122891 Lovelybones, Heart's Blood only uses Beauty and the Beast. Although the plot does more or less parallel the fairy tale, the story is changed in many ways. In particular, my central character, Caitrin, does not end up in the 'beast's' household because of a bargain made by her father, but by her own choice. I was keen not to make her too much of a victim. When my new website goes up in early September, you will be able to read an excerpt from Heart's Blood - about 15 pages from Chapter One. Re book length - most publishers have general guidelines for how long a particular kind of novel should be. My personal experience is that American publishers, in particular, are keener these days to set a maximum length for a novel, over which the writer mustn't go (although there are obviously exceptions for best-selling authors who write huge books, eg Diana Gabaldon.) This has to do with the publisher's profit margin, and what size of book certain stores are prepared to stock. With any novel, the author prefers to take however many words / pages feel right to tell the story in the best way possible. I would have liked to make Heir to Sevenwaters a little longer, but I am reasonably satisfied with the end result. For Heart's Blood, the word count allowed by the publisher was fine - I thought it was just right for the story. My manuscripts usually sit around the maximum allowable, though. My two young adult novels were both quite a bit longer than the maximum word count I'd been given, but the editor accepted that (not the same editor / publisher as for my adult fiction.) Lovelybones, Heart’s Blood only uses Beauty and the Beast. Although the plot does more or less parallel the fairy tale, the story is changed in many ways. In particular, my central character, Caitrin, does not end up in the ‘beast’s’ household because of a bargain made by her father, but by her own choice. I was keen not to make her too much of a victim.

When my new website goes up in early September, you will be able to read an excerpt from Heart’s Blood – about 15 pages from Chapter One.

Re book length – most publishers have general guidelines for how long a particular kind of novel should be. My personal experience is that American publishers, in particular, are keener these days to set a maximum length for a novel, over which the writer mustn’t go (although there are obviously exceptions for best-selling authors who write huge books, eg Diana Gabaldon.) This has to do with the publisher’s profit margin, and what size of book certain stores are prepared to stock.

With any novel, the author prefers to take however many words / pages feel right to tell the story in the best way possible. I would have liked to make Heir to Sevenwaters a little longer, but I am reasonably satisfied with the end result. For Heart’s Blood, the word count allowed by the publisher was fine – I thought it was just right for the story. My manuscripts usually sit around the maximum allowable, though. My two young adult novels were both quite a bit longer than the maximum word count I’d been given, but the editor accepted that (not the same editor / publisher as for my adult fiction.)

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]]> By: lovelybones http://writerunboxed.com/2008/11/04/take-five-interview-juliet-marillier-and-heir-to-sevenwaters/#comment-122857 lovelybones Sun, 09 Aug 2009 16:13:50 +0000 http://writerunboxed.com/2008/11/04/take-five-interview-juliet-marillier-and-heir-to-sevenwaters/#comment-122857 you mentioned that you used one fairy tale (beauty & the beats -loosely) are there any more? can you afford to tell us anything other than what you wrote about HEART'S BLOOD? ...and what i also want to know, i'm aware that you have to keep a certain booklength depending on what your (editor?) tells you ...do you have the feeling the story (heart's blood) contains all the elements required to satisfy "you"? or would you have liked it more to have a little more of playground to write a longer and thus maybe for example "stronger" characters etc.? you mentioned that you used one fairy tale (beauty & the beats -loosely) are there any more? can you afford to tell us anything other than what you wrote about HEART’S BLOOD?

…and what i also want to know, i’m aware that you have to keep a certain booklength depending on what your (editor?) tells you …do you have the feeling the story (heart’s blood) contains all the elements required to satisfy “you”? or would you have liked it more to have a little more of playground to write a longer and thus maybe for example “stronger” characters etc.?

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]]> By: Juliet http://writerunboxed.com/2008/11/04/take-five-interview-juliet-marillier-and-heir-to-sevenwaters/#comment-122490 Juliet Wed, 05 Aug 2009 03:42:48 +0000 http://writerunboxed.com/2008/11/04/take-five-interview-juliet-marillier-and-heir-to-sevenwaters/#comment-122490 Emma, this is an interesting comment! Firstly, any author who gets up on a pedestal needs to be reminded from time to time that he or she is just an ordinary human being with a full set of human frailties! However, it does make me happy when readers tell me they love my writing. Now to the question of happy endings. It depends a bit on editors. I would like to be able to end a novel with the lovers parted unhappily, if that seemed right for the story. However, as you've pointed out, the majority of my readers would find this a bit disconcerting, since I do usually give my two central characters a happily resolved romance (Blade of Fortriu being the exception, since a three-cornered romance can't generally turn out well for all three people.) It is very possible that if I presented a proposal for a sad romantic novel to my publisher, and she thought my readers would hate the tragic or unresolved ending, then the publisher might not take the book, or might ask me to change the story. I guess the ending is whatever seems right for the story - provided the author can present it convincingly. As a reader, I like happy endings, and if I can't have a happy ending, I like a satisfactorily resolved one in which the protagonists learn something, or are set on a more positive course. I hate books that leave me feeling depressed. By the way, thanks for the good health wishes. It all helps! all the best Juliet Emma, this is an interesting comment! Firstly, any author who gets up on a pedestal needs to be reminded from time to time that he or she is just an ordinary human being with a full set of human frailties! However, it does make me happy when readers tell me they love my writing.

Now to the question of happy endings. It depends a bit on editors. I would like to be able to end a novel with the lovers parted unhappily, if that seemed right for the story. However, as you’ve pointed out, the majority of my readers would find this a bit disconcerting, since I do usually give my two central characters a happily resolved romance (Blade of Fortriu being the exception, since a three-cornered romance can’t generally turn out well for all three people.) It is very possible that if I presented a proposal for a sad romantic novel to my publisher, and she thought my readers would hate the tragic or unresolved ending, then the publisher might not take the book, or might ask me to change the story.

I guess the ending is whatever seems right for the story – provided the author can present it convincingly. As a reader, I like happy endings, and if I can’t have a happy ending, I like a satisfactorily resolved one in which the protagonists learn something, or are set on a more positive course. I hate books that leave me feeling depressed.

By the way, thanks for the good health wishes. It all helps!

all the best

Juliet

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]]> By: Emma http://writerunboxed.com/2008/11/04/take-five-interview-juliet-marillier-and-heir-to-sevenwaters/#comment-122216 Emma Sun, 02 Aug 2009 03:20:22 +0000 http://writerunboxed.com/2008/11/04/take-five-interview-juliet-marillier-and-heir-to-sevenwaters/#comment-122216 Hi Juliet! I think it's AMAZING that you're actually here responding to readers' comments... I guess I have you up on a pedestal and that's why I'm surprised. Love the books, and I'm so excited to hear that another Sevenwaters book is in the works! *SPOILER ALERT* I know I'm in the minority saying this, but I'm kind of hoping to see a book from you one day that ends with the lovers not being able to be together, just for suspense purposes...is there any chance of that? (I'm not counting Blade of Fortriu, since Ana and Drustan wanted to be together; I may be in the minority there too.) When I got to the part in Heir to Sevenwaters where Cathal sacrificed himself for Clodagh, I was left thinking that it was such a powerful scene that the book should just end there. Not that I was upset when they got a happy ending, of course! *END SPOILERS* Best wishes for your recovery... my neighbor recently recovered from cancer and he isn't the healthiest of guys, so I bet you'll be fine... Hi Juliet! I think it’s AMAZING that you’re actually here responding to readers’ comments… I guess I have you up on a pedestal and that’s why I’m surprised. Love the books, and I’m so excited to hear that another Sevenwaters book is in the works!

*SPOILER ALERT*
I know I’m in the minority saying this, but I’m kind of hoping to see a book from you one day that ends with the lovers not being able to be together, just for suspense purposes…is there any chance of that? (I’m not counting Blade of Fortriu, since Ana and Drustan wanted to be together; I may be in the minority there too.) When I got to the part in Heir to Sevenwaters where Cathal sacrificed himself for Clodagh, I was left thinking that it was such a powerful scene that the book should just end there. Not that I was upset when they got a happy ending, of course!
*END SPOILERS*

Best wishes for your recovery… my neighbor recently recovered from cancer and he isn’t the healthiest of guys, so I bet you’ll be fine…

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]]> By: Juliet http://writerunboxed.com/2008/11/04/take-five-interview-juliet-marillier-and-heir-to-sevenwaters/#comment-120518 Juliet Wed, 15 Jul 2009 04:11:02 +0000 http://writerunboxed.com/2008/11/04/take-five-interview-juliet-marillier-and-heir-to-sevenwaters/#comment-120518 The original, intended publication date for Song of the Island would have been late 2010, but because of my illness everything has been delayed. I can't give a definite publication date yet, sorry. When I finish writing the book I'll be jumping up and down celebrating! The original, intended publication date for Song of the Island would have been late 2010, but because of my illness everything has been delayed. I can’t give a definite publication date yet, sorry.

When I finish writing the book I’ll be jumping up and down celebrating!

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]]> By: Rosie http://writerunboxed.com/2008/11/04/take-five-interview-juliet-marillier-and-heir-to-sevenwaters/#comment-120516 Rosie Wed, 15 Jul 2009 02:47:39 +0000 http://writerunboxed.com/2008/11/04/take-five-interview-juliet-marillier-and-heir-to-sevenwaters/#comment-120516 YAY!!! Do you know when Song of the Island will come out? YAY!!! Do you know when Song of the Island will come out?

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