Ask the Author: S. Van Haitsma
Answered Questions (10)
S. Van Haitsma
In many ways Wizard of the March is similar to Tom Sawyer or Treasure Island in that the story line is family friendly but some of the deeper themes maybe missed by younger readers on their own. Many families enjoy reading it together as some of the vocabulary, given its historical nature, may be a struggle for someone under a 6th or 7th grade reading level.
S. Van Haitsma
I am working on a couple right now, but I can't tell much until their done.
S. Van Haitsma
I wish I could say I bought a book and did tons of research, but in reality I looked online for Welsh names. I tried to use ones that had some meaning to them, but sometimes I just used ones that I liked the sound of.
S. Van Haitsma
Well see... I have not made a decision on that yet
S. Van Haitsma
I'm not sure yet, maybe...
S. Van Haitsma
I tried to use names that were fitting for the time and place. Since the story takes place in the Welsh march, they all old Welsh or English names. I also wanted to use names that are easy to differentiate from each other.
S. Van Haitsma
The one I'm working on is my favorite and this my last one and the one I just finished, So yes, yes it is.
S. Van Haitsma
Yes, not sure when, but yes.
S. Van Haitsma
The March was the borderlands between England and Wales and in the 1400's it was a place of conflict and mistrust. The term "Wizard" describes Murdoc and how he would have been thought of by the people of that era. This had always been the working title for when I was writing it and I thought of changing it many times but could never come up with anything better.
S. Van Haitsma
That is a simple question with a complex answer. I like Wendy for her sassy-ness, I like John Oldcastle for his morbid sense of humor. I like the Marcher lord for his complexity but I guess if had to choose one it would be Dylis (who appears half way through the book). Her name means "steadfast" or "true" in Welsh but she has so much attitude and she was so much fun to write.
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