Ask the Author: Diane Magras
Answered Questions (3)
Diane Magras
I'm so glad you enjoyed my book! Thanks so much for sharing that. I tried very hard to make my book unique, but probably the more comparable would be DARK ANGELS (or THE SHADOW HUNT, in the U.S.) by Katherine Langrish. That's a fun, fascinating, well-researched medieval story taking place on the border of England and Wales in a world where it's uncertain whether magic is real or not, but legends abound and a strange feral child may actually be an elf. Pat Walsh's THE CROWFIELD CURSE is also beautifully researched, the tale of a medieval boy who lives at an abbey and is dealing with some rather nasty fae. It's full of magic, religion, and menace. And two more recent medieval stories: THE BOOK OF BOY (Catherine Gilbert Murdock), which has fantastic research as well as a touch of magic; and THE INQUISITOR'S TALE (Adam Gidwitz), also great research with more magic. As you can probably tell, I love to see a story researched. In THE MAD WOLF'S DAUGHTER, I chose not to use magic, as I wanted to see how far I could take the pressures of the medieval world on its own, and found that it provided plenty of drama. But these are all books I'd recommend as being great medieval middle grade.
Diane Magras
Yes, there will be a sequel out next spring, continuing the story with some new elements.
Diane Magras
Read the kinds of books you love. Takes notes. What story elements did you find particularly powerful? What sentences did you like? Do your favorite writers have ways of conveying characters or scenes that you admire? Learn from your favorites. Then write what you love most, and write as often as you can. Be patient with yourself. Enjoy the process.
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