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| Caron Guillo |
Having just finished writing my first novel, Broken Dolls, I am trying to rev up to start my second, But the "engine" is slow to turn over. So, I especially appreciated her answer to the last question!
Thank you, Caron, for graciously accepting my invitation for a blog interview.
JAN: Your book, An Uncommon Crusade, (released on January 4, 2011) is the story of Elisabeth, Simon, and Hugo, who join an ill-fated commoner's crusade to Jerusalem in search of wealth, glory, and redemption. As a writer, I'm always watching for the “seeds” to stories. What was the seed, or inspiration for this book? Were your characters based on real people?
CARON: Several years ago I read an intriguing novel about the crusades which sent me to the encyclopedia in search of more information on the topic. At the end of the World Book article, I came across a few lines about a children’s crusade that ended in tragedy, most of the participants either dying prematurely in the Alps or being betrayed and sold into slavery in Africa.
I actually gasped and re-read the paragraph three or four times. What in the world would possess children to set off on such a misadventure or their parents to allow it?
Sometime later when I had the tools and time to research the subject properly, I discovered that at the forefront of the so-called children’s crusade was a charismatic and egotistical young commoner named Nicholas, that most of the “crusaders” were young adults, and that parents were generally terrified of the movement, seeking to protect their children from a disastrous end.
I couldn’t let the story go. Why would unarmed, untrained, unfinanced peasants think they could accomplish what professional armies had not? How desperate or deluded must an individual be to join such an ill-fated mission? And what about all those young people sold into slavery? How did they live with the consequences of their mistakes?
I began to envision a young woman who would do anything to win freedom from her past. A young man who dreams of rising above his lowly status to change the world. A would-be warrior looking for a fight, and perhaps a bit of fortune.
And so began my exploration into the lives of three young commoners who thought they had nothing left to lose.
JAN: You've traveled to sixteen countries on four continents and are now a Certified International Tour Manager. What effect has this had on your writing? Do your stories usually take place in exotic locales?
I have an insatiable curiosity and love exploring, tasting, and feeling different locales, so, yes, my travels do impact my writing. Over the years, and as a tour manager, I've had the wonderful opportunity to meet fascinating people from around the globe. I listen and learn from them. While I've written (or have in progress) novels set in the USA, my current project is a novel-length work titled Great Zimbabwe.
The plot is based in large part on my experiences in Zimbabwe in recent years, continued involvement in humanitarian efforts there, and time spent at Imire Safari Ranch—a black rhino breeding station and game park.
In Great Zimbabwe, American Sara Jenkins travels to Zimbabwe to meet the father she’s never known and perhaps scrape together enough courage to deal with the challenges she faces in her life and relationships. Instead, she must solve the mystery of his disappearance more than two decades ago.
In this story, I explore the tempestuous sea of political, economic, cultural, and racial tension in Zimbabwe today while simultaneously honoring the great beauty, courage, dignity, and strength of the Zimbabwean people. With a bit of humor thrown into the mix. I can't help it.
JAN: As writers, we often find certain characteristics in books that make them particularly memorable or enjoyable. What have you found in your reading that you’ve incorporated into your writing?
CARON: I think a memorable book is a mix of great plot, lively, believable characters, and vivid, but concise, descriptions, and that's what I try to write. In historical novels, I love to get that sense of the time and setting, but I don't want so much historical detail that the story bogs down or the characters get lost.
I sometimes say I write "history lite." For instance, the historical detail in An Uncommon Crusade is well-researched and solid, but I wanted readers to be able to see themselves in the characters, and so I tried not to belabor the historical setting to the point that I failed in that goal.
I was very pleased that Publishers Weekly nailed it when they wrote, "Although this novel uses the Children's Crusade of 1212 as its background, it is not a historical chronicle, but a very personal story . . ."
JAN: Do you have a favorite piece of advice for writers?
CARON: Listen and learn. Some years ago a successful novelist agreed to critique one of my manuscripts. He wasn't impressed, but did me the courtesy of offering specific feedback.
I thanked him for his time and expressed my deep appreciation. For what, I had no idea. Privately, I railed against him. Didn’t he know genius when he saw it? Thing is, I’d heard the same feedback from editors and agents alike. Blah, blah, blah. It had grown tiresome.
Just when I’d settled comfortably into my superiority over the collective expertise of the entire publishing industry, I came across two Proverbs: “He who hates correction is stupid” and “Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise.”
I swallowed my pride, took my mentor’s advice, learned a lot, and in the end he wrote a glowing endorsement of my novel.
JAN: Any motivational tips for writers – particularly those who have finished a project and are trying to "rev up" for another?
CARON: Move on! You are creative and productive and have more to offer. That finished manuscript belongs in front of editors or on the shelf, but you? You belong in the middle of your next story.
An author friend of mine--a New York Times bestselling novelist--once told me you have to pen a thousand pages before you're ready to write a truly publishable novel. So keep writing, learning, growing, and moving on. I can't wait to see what you come up with next!
Leave a comment to be entered in a drawing for an autographed copy of An Uncommon Crusade. Drawing will be held on Monday, March 21, and will be announced on this blog and on Facebook. Good luck!
Great interview about a great writer
ReplyDeleteAw, thank you, Linda! You're pretty impressive yourself. :-)
ReplyDeleteWell done interview from both angles. There are several helpful writing tips. Thanks to both of you.
ReplyDeleteI really liked your interview! I hope to use both yours and Carol's tips
ReplyDeleteas motivational tools in the near future!
Thank you for your comments, everyone! And Caron, thank YOU for the great interview. (Hope you're having a great time in Italy!)
ReplyDeleteAnd the winner is . . . Victor! Congratulations!