Indira Wolf
asked
Colleen Oakes:
Hiya, so I just finished The Queen of Hearts and my mind is spilling over with questions. First, why/how did you decide to envision wonderland and it's characters in the manner you did? What purpose does Vittiore have and who is she suppose to represent from the original Alice in wonderland cast? Why did you decide to portray the king of hearts in a brutal, evil aura when normally hes disregarded, pushed to shadows?
Colleen Oakes
Hi Indira,
When I decided to write Queen of Hearts, I wanted to do a darker version of the Wonderland that we all knew and loved. I thought about what Wonderland is like on a practical, livable basis. What secrets does it's magic conceal? What parts of Wonderland are older than others? Is the magic of Wonderland something tangible, or is it light, woven in the fabric of the place? I wanted a place both sinister and whimsical, and wrote with that in mind.
As for the characters, one of the things I knew I wasn't interested in writing was talking animals, so I took those characters and translated them into their human counterparts: the Cheshire Cat became Cheshire, cunning, funny and clever, etc..I wanted to keep the nature of them without having a Disney feel. So, unfortunately I can't answer the rest of your questions without huge spoilers, so I'll just say thank you for reading instead!
When I decided to write Queen of Hearts, I wanted to do a darker version of the Wonderland that we all knew and loved. I thought about what Wonderland is like on a practical, livable basis. What secrets does it's magic conceal? What parts of Wonderland are older than others? Is the magic of Wonderland something tangible, or is it light, woven in the fabric of the place? I wanted a place both sinister and whimsical, and wrote with that in mind.
As for the characters, one of the things I knew I wasn't interested in writing was talking animals, so I took those characters and translated them into their human counterparts: the Cheshire Cat became Cheshire, cunning, funny and clever, etc..I wanted to keep the nature of them without having a Disney feel. So, unfortunately I can't answer the rest of your questions without huge spoilers, so I'll just say thank you for reading instead!
More Answered Questions
Robert Good
asked
Colleen Oakes:
I own your first book "Queen of Hearts" and I am on the last chapter. It is amazing!!! I was wondering why goodreads says that the second book is already out, but the first book just came out. Is the second novel in stores or no? And is there a reason why the queen has the same name as Alice's cat? I love your work once I am done with this I am reading Wendy Darling. :)
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