Q & A
Q&A with Charlotte Kandel
Interview by teen reporter oriGINAlity95 for http://www.allykatzz.com/
Q: Who or what was most inspirational in your decision to become a writer?
A: The first person who opened my eyes to the absolute thrill of reading was my mother. She read to my twin sister and me from the time we were five, both delicious children's books like 'Anne of Green Gables' and 'grown up' books she loved, like Charles Dickens' 'Great Expectations '. I was very shy as a little girl, growing up in England. This feeling intensified when my father opened a branch of his business in Paris and from then on, at the age of eleven, since the two of us chose not to live in France, Diana, my twin sister and I, went to a boarding school deep in the heart of the English countryside. Even though the school was a very good one, housed in a former castle (almost like Hogwarts!) we were lonely and missed our own home. On the very top floor of the school was the library and that's where I spent most of my free time. Reading took me away into other places, other times and other lives. It helped loneliness, it helped insecurity and most of all it made me so happy. From that time onwards I dreamed of writing books for girls like me, although I was afraid I wouldn't ever have the talent to do it. Then life took me in another direction, into the film business, and it was only when I left my demanding job at Warner Bros., that I screwed up my courage and decided to give writing a go. So I'd have to say it was all the characters I met and loved in books that inspired me to try to create some of my own.
Q: 'The Enchanted Riddle' is the first book in 'The Scarlet Stockings' trilogy, could you tell us a bit about the premise of the story?
A: 'The Enchanted Riddle' is my first book. Before I ever started writing, I gave a lot of thought to the SORT of book I wanted to create. I decided I wanted to write about the things I loved reading myself: magic, mystery, adventure, danger and GLAMOUR. The book is in the form of a magical quest - both internal and external for its 13-year-old heroine Daphne. An orphan, whose loving heart has been stifled by insecurity, mistrust and bitter disappointment, she has two dreams. To find a family who wants her and loves her, and to fulfill the dream she's had ever since she can remember - to be a professional dancer in a world of beauty and glamour. When powerful, dangerous MAGIC suddenly enters her life, both these dreams may be within her grasp. But the magic challenges her deepest self, because it will obey the wishes of her heart. If Daphne becomes selfish and hard, the magic could destroy her. What will she choose?
Q: I love historical fiction, what made you choose the 1920s era for the backdrop to your book?
A: I picked the 1920s as a background because I believe that was the most important time ever in terms of change for women. Women were now allowed to VOTE. Imagine, skirts went almost overnight from ankle length to above the knee. Make up, scarlet lipstick and nail polish, blush and eyeshadow became all the rage on girls' faces which previously had only been allowed a little powder and lip salve And hair! It went from universally long to sexy, short and flirty. Clothes changed more than they every have since, with sparkling fabrics and outrageous accessories. Older people were appalled beyond belief. Young people partied, drove around in fast cars and kissed in public. Shocking, too, too shocking. The 1920s were fllled with new music, new dancing and for the first time, careers for women who were no longer 'second class citizens'. It was a time when anything was possible for girls. And for Daphne.
Q: Your job with Warner Bros. prior to becoming an author also sounds like it was exciting. Can you tell us about your role in Hollywood?
A: At Warner Bros. I was head of worldwide publicity. I had a team of 100 publicists working for me as we launched films like the 'Batman' and 'Harry Potte'r series all around the world. I was lucky enough to travel to all the most important film festivals - Cannes and Deauville in France and Venice in Italy. I loved being behind the scenes with an 'all access' pass, working with superstars like Brad Pitt, George Clooney and Jennifer Lopez (before she was JLo!). But it wasn't all glamour. The film business is a cutthroat one where egos run rampant and the stakes are high. My job sometimes involved hiding 'bad behavior' from household names and being on the front lines with producers and directors when their films didn't make it. Burnout is inevitable in these high profile, high stress jobs. I wanted to leave before it happened to me. So after 15 years of immense challenge and satisfaction I left the studio. And my new life as a writer began.
Q: Has your background in the film industry affected your writing or style?
A: My time at Warner Bros. served me incredibly well when I started writing fiction. In my former job I read literally hundreds of scripts and learned so much about storytelling, characterization and pacing. I guess I'd say that I see every scene I write in film terms and try to make my words tell a picture, so readers can then bring their own imaginations to the scenes I've described.
Q: Is any of your work done with actual pen and paper, or computer only?
A: I carry a notebook around with me all the time and have one by my bed because you never know when good ideas will strike! But my actual writing is done on the computer. It's really amazing how the writing process works, the characters take you over and start telling you what they want to do and say! I'll be sitting at my desk, my fingers on the keys and suddenly I'll think 'Oh don't let THAT happen!' But it does, because that's where the story wants to go, independent of what I might have previously planned. I really loved creating the character of the villainess, the unutterably glamorous, unutterably evil Russian Prima Ballerina Assoluta, Ova Andova. I wanted a 'bad guy' even WORSE than Cruella deVil, who will literally stop at nothing to bring my heroine down. I wanted Ova to be funny in a horrible sort of way but totally scary too.
Q: What is the next book on your to-read list?
A: I'm in the middle of a classic English book called 'The Forsyte Saga'. It's dense and filled with beautifully written characters. Quite a cliff hanger too, always a good thing in a book. I hope I've done that in 'The Enchanted Riddle'.
Q: In the book, Daphne wants to be a professional ballerina when she grows up. What piece of advice would you give the girls of AllyKatzz when it comes to pursing their dreams?
A: The advice I'd give is believe in yourself and don't let anyone say you can't do it, whatever the 'it' is. I truly believe life leads us where we're supposed to go and our job is always to give it our best shot. It's truly surprising how things happen that may seem disappointing at the time but actually they lead you in fabulous new directions. So always 'get up from the mat' and GO FOR IT!
Q: If you could invite three people to dinner (living or dead) who would they be and why?
A: A hard one. Three people? Jane Austen because she writes like a dream for all time and her characters are so funny and touching and real. Meryl Streep because I think she's the best actress alive and also a lot of fun. Anwar Sadat, the assassinated former President of Egypt because he was brave and wise and honorable and tried to make peace in the Middle East.