Care
asked
Juliet Marillier:
Hello Juliet! I've been in love with your books since I first found them in my school library years ago. I was just wondering what (if anything) have you found to be the most surprising and/or rewarding thing about writing? And also, were you scared when you first decided to pursue writing for a career?
Juliet Marillier
Interesting questions!
Most surprising and rewarding thing about writing: letters and emails from readers telling them my books had made a real difference in their lives, helping them to be braver and stronger in adversity because my female characters demonstrate that it's possible. Some people simply find the books are good companions in tough times. I never expected that and it makes me feel as if I am doing something worthwhile.
Was I scared when I first decided to pursue writing as a career? No, because I eased myself slowly into that - I still had a day job as a public servant up until about my fifth novel was published, but I gradually went from full time down to two days a week. I didn't quit the day job until I was reasonably sure I could earn a living as a writer. I was cautious because I knew I had to support my family. It might have been different if I had started earlier, perhaps straight after university. But then the books probably would have been really different.
Most surprising and rewarding thing about writing: letters and emails from readers telling them my books had made a real difference in their lives, helping them to be braver and stronger in adversity because my female characters demonstrate that it's possible. Some people simply find the books are good companions in tough times. I never expected that and it makes me feel as if I am doing something worthwhile.
Was I scared when I first decided to pursue writing as a career? No, because I eased myself slowly into that - I still had a day job as a public servant up until about my fifth novel was published, but I gradually went from full time down to two days a week. I didn't quit the day job until I was reasonably sure I could earn a living as a writer. I was cautious because I knew I had to support my family. It might have been different if I had started earlier, perhaps straight after university. But then the books probably would have been really different.
More Answered Questions
Alison Rose
asked
Juliet Marillier:
I'm currently reading (and loving!) Daughter of the Forest, and I was wondering if you could tell me how you pronounce Padraic? I asked a couple Irish friends online, but they had different answers, so I assume there might different ways to say it depending on the region. One of them said it was 'Porrick/Porrig' and the other said 'Pawdrick'. Is it one of those, or something else? Thanks!
Mel (Epic Reading)
asked
Juliet Marillier:
When I first read your Sevenwaters Trilogy (at that time it was only 3) I loved the fairy tale inspiration used; whilst the novel still told it's own story in it's own way. There has recently been a surge of fairy tale 're-tellings' for Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, & others. I'm wondering if you were to pick another Grimm fairy tale to use for a basis of a story, like you did with Six Swans, what would it be?
Cris
asked
Juliet Marillier:
Hi! I am a huge fan of your books and I loved Dreamer's Pool. I have three questions, some of them fairly irrelevant I'm afraid: 1- How old is Blackthorn? 2- Will we see Oran and the princess again, or do the characters change with every book? (excepto Blackthorn and Grim of course, I imagine they will remain) 3- When is the next book coming out? That's all. Thank you so much for answering questions online :)
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