with Felicity Pulman
We are delighted to welcome author Felicity Pulman to Omnimystery News today.
Felicity is the author of the young adult medieval Janna Mysteries, which have recently been rewritten, retitled, and repackaged as adult fiction. The first of the series, Blood Oath, was recently released by Momentum with subsequent titles to be published monthly.
We recently had the opportunity to talk with Felicity about the series.
— ♦ —
Omnimystery News: Tell us a little more about Janna. What is it about her that appeals to you as a writer?
Photo provided courtesy of
Felicity Pulman
Felicity Pulman: Janna, the protagonist in The Janna Chronicles, is the daughter of a wortwyf, a herbwife and healer. After her mother dies in mysterious circumstances, Janna vows to discover who was responsible and avenge her mother's death. Alone and on the run from those who wish her dead, her search for justice sets her on a journey to find her unknown father and, at the same time, find herself. I've loved writing about Janna as she's everything I would wish to be: courageous, resourceful, compassionate, curious about everything she sees (which often leads her into trouble) and keen to learn, and with a strong sense of justice — even when she's doing the wrong thing! She's also somewhat naive and trusting — but tenacious when there's a crime or mystery to solve.
OMN: How did Janna develop over the course of the six books in the series?
FP: Having a character develop over time makes for a far more satisfying read, in my opinion. The Janna Chronicles is a six-book series. Janna is 17, somewhat young and naive when her mother dies and she sets off in search of her father from what used to be her home, a small cot at the edge of a forest. She has her knowledge of herbs and healing, taught to her by her mother, but nothing else to help her along her journey. The novels are set in the 1140s, at the time of the civil war between King Stephen and the Empress Matilda, so Janna is beset by danger both from those who fear her knowledge but also from the shifting allegiances and treachery she encounters as she draws every closer to the royal court. So this is definitely a "coming of age" novel as Janna endeavours to solve the crimes and mysteries she encounters along her way, as well as the mystery of her own birth — and the mystery also of her heart as her emotions are tugged between the villain, Godric, who wants to marry her; the handsome nobleman Hugh; and Ralph, the charismatic pilgrim she encounters on her quest. Physically, emotionally, spiritually and mentally, Janna has travelled an enormous distance by the time the series ends some three years later.
OMN: Into which fiction genre would you place the series? And do you think there is any advantage to categorizing it as such?
FP: The Janna Chronicles are something of a hybrid: medieval crime and mystery is probably the best description, but there's also a strong dash of romance, as well as some mysticism plus quite a lot of information on the history/society of the time and the medieval practice of leechcraft and herbal healing. The advantage of a label, I think, is that devotees of any of those genres would be steered towards having a look at my books. There are so many books "out there" that I think it would be bewildering for prospective readers not to have some sort of "label" for what they're looking at.
OMN: Give us a summary of Blood Oath in a tweet?
FP: Who can Janna trust in her search for her unknown father when all around her have secrets and some even want her dead?
OMN: Describe your writing process for us.
FP: Usually my characters come first, along with some situation that needs resolution. So I start with the "who" and the "what", and then I try to come up with answers to the other big questions: when (because my stories are often set in the past) and where (my stories are sometimes set in medieval England or an "otherworld"). The answers to what happens along the way, and why, and how the situation is resolved generally evolve while I'm writing the story — but I do try to know how the story should end. Having said that, I also give free rein to my characters and what happens to them, because these elements so often lead me into a different but better path. I write short stories, stand-alone novels and also series, and my favourite is a series because that gives me leeway to develop the characters and their situations. Sometimes minor characters take on a life of their own — like Ulf, the relic seller in Pilgrim of Death, and also the site of Stonehenge. I am constantly surprised — that's part of the fun of writing!
OMN: How did you go about researching the plot points of the stories?
FP: I loved writing the Janna series, it was exciting and challenging and also a HUGE learning curve for me. The series is set in England in the 1140s, so I had to learn a whole lot about medieval history and society, and in particular, the civil war between Stephen and Matilda, and that was just the start. I had several research trips over there to walk in Janna's footsteps, and that was absolutely vital in that it enabled me to imagine what she would have seen, and to visit the same places (or the ruins thereof) and also to visit museums, libraries, a working water mill, an Anglo-Saxon herb garden and Stonehenge, which subsequently became a vital element in the 4th Janna Chronicle (Pilgrim of Death) although I hadn't intended to write about it at all. I walked in the forest at night, to experience how it would have felt when Janna was on the run, and wherever I went I carried plant/tree/bird guides in my pocket. I was able to look at (and photocopy) old books and documents, and talk to experts in various fields. I bought maps (ordnance surveys of the many places to which Janna travelled), biographies, books on ancient and modern medical practice and natural healing, medieval history/clothing/farming practice/abbeys — and my library is still expanding! The internet is a great resource (but any information must be checked.) I also consulted a friend, a medievalist, whose knowledge has been invaluable.
OMN: You mention your research trips to England and what you saw there. How true are you to the settings in your books?
FP: I have been known to take liberties with a setting (if necessary) but mostly I try to be as truthful and as factual as possible, to give my work credibility but also because, quite often, the landscape informs the story and in fact can be an integral part of what happens in the course of it.
OMN: Suppose you're researching a new book and we could send you anywhere in the world, at our expense, to learn more about the setting. Where would that be?
FP: I'm actually already in that fortunate situation, having recently been awarded a writer's residency in the UK for three months this year. My next novel is a sequel to my book I, Morgana, which is a rewriting of one of the most reviled but charismatic characters in Arthurian legend. I'll be based in Devon — in the heart of Arthurian territory — but will also be close enough to Glastonbury, London and France where I also need to do some research. Will Arthur come again to save Britain in her hour of need, as so many people still believe? This year, I hope to find out!
OMN: What is the best advice you've received as an author?
FP: I've received lots of good advice from many generous authors and publishers — to be professional, to learn from criticism, to practice "bum glue" (to quote Bryce Courtney) rather than waiting for a visit from the muse, and above all to keep on writing because you improve only if you practice your craft. The one piece of advice I would ignore is to "write what you know." It's good advice — but only if it links in with the story that you are passionate to tell. What you don't know, you can always find out. But if the spark that keeps you burning the midnight oil to find out what happens next is missing, or goes out, then you're in real trouble.
OMN: What kinds of books did you read when you were young?
FP: I grew up in a small town in Africa a long time ago and at a time when kids books were fairly limited. I loved Enid Blyton, and in fact I think I'm still writing versions of the Magic Faraway Tree — my favourite! My first story attempts (in primary school) were heavily influenced by EB and are very funny to read now — eg my characters might go swimming in the outdoor local pool one day (as I used to do) but go ice-skating on the pond the next day — because I loved reading about that sort of thing, it all seemed so exotic. (I'm still hopeless at geography!) My stories nowadays are probably a combination of the Famous Five (I love writing crime and am an avid crime reader) and the Faraway Tree in that many of my characters are somehow lost and looking for where they belong, and having adventures and getting into trouble along the way. That's certainly true of Janna in the Janna Chronicles. Nowadays I'm an eclectic reader, with many favourite authors — but I make sure I always write with my own voice, not theirs.
— ♦ —
About Felicity Pulman: I've written many short stories and novels for children, Y/A and adults and have won numerous awards, including the inaugural Queen of Crime award, and awards from Sisters in Crime Australia. I have a newly-found passion for history and am fortunate to have travelled with my husband to many wonderful (and often historic or natural) sites around the world. Some have formed settings for my short stories and novels, while other travel diaries still sit patiently in the bottom drawer waiting for their turn. I have two children and five grandchildren who try to keep me techno-savvy, and in my spare time I love reading, listening to music, bush walking, snorkeling and body surfing. I have many years experience and it's always a pleasure to meet and talk to students and adults about researching and writing my books. I also enjoy conducting workshops in a wide variety of genres, including crime, history and fantasy.
For more information about the author, please visit her website at FelicityPulman.com.au and her author page on Goodreads, or find her on Facebook and Twitter.
— ♦ —
Blood Oath
Felicity Pulman
The Janna Chronicles
