Brenda
asked
Juliet Marillier:
Dear Juliet, I was wondering if you ever considered writing a book with Australia or New Zealand as a background? I would love to read about these cultures, especially by your pen, and a Māori “Sorcha” seems like a dream. I really love the way you weave fantasy into “the real world”, your fierce characters and the LGBT touch. Thank you for sharing your magic with us!
Juliet Marillier
Dear Brenda,
Thanks for those nice comments! That is a good question - when I write short fiction I do sometimes use Australian or New Zealand settings, but I haven't ever tried to incorporate the indigenous lore of either country, mostly because (a) I think other people do it much better than I could and (b) it doesn't feel right to 'borrow' the cultural heritage of either Aboriginal or Māori as it's not really mine to use. Having said that, some writers who are not indigenous, especially in NZ, do this really well, with proper consultation, and if I still lived in NZ I would probably try. I can imagine a wonderful urban fantasy novel set in Bluff, such a diverse and interesting community down there, with a lot of environmental challenges. But I think someone who has lived there needs to write it. :)
Juliet
PS or an urban fantasy set on the campus of Otago University - that I could actually do one day. Maybe in the music department!
Thanks for those nice comments! That is a good question - when I write short fiction I do sometimes use Australian or New Zealand settings, but I haven't ever tried to incorporate the indigenous lore of either country, mostly because (a) I think other people do it much better than I could and (b) it doesn't feel right to 'borrow' the cultural heritage of either Aboriginal or Māori as it's not really mine to use. Having said that, some writers who are not indigenous, especially in NZ, do this really well, with proper consultation, and if I still lived in NZ I would probably try. I can imagine a wonderful urban fantasy novel set in Bluff, such a diverse and interesting community down there, with a lot of environmental challenges. But I think someone who has lived there needs to write it. :)
Juliet
PS or an urban fantasy set on the campus of Otago University - that I could actually do one day. Maybe in the music department!
More Answered Questions
A Goodreads user
asked
Juliet Marillier:
Hi Juliet, I'm completing a book challenge this year (to try and get back into more reading) and one prompt for a book is a recommendation by our favourite author. Since I own every single book you've written (personal favourites being Son of the Shadows, Tower of Thorns and Hearts Blood), do you have any good book recommendations at the moment? Thanks so much.
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