Ask the Author: Helen Pugh
Answered Questions (2)
Helen Pugh
Intrepid Dudettes of the Inca Empire has 2 parts. The full version of the book containing both parts will be available soon. It will include women who lived during and after the Spanish Conquest, as well as those from part 1 who lived before the Conquest.
Helen Pugh
Initially I was going to write a historical novel about Quispe Sisa, Atahualpa's sister, because although I had heard of Atahualpa and Francisco Pizarro countless times, I had only recently heard about her. The idea that the Inca emperor's sister was forced to marry a conquistador fascinated me. I couldn't believe that she wasn't super famous, considering what a life she must have led.
Then a new idea came to me when I was reading 'The Incredible Incas' by Terry Deary. I just thought that while it's a very good book, where are the women? It was a very male-centric book and I decided that Inca women and goddesses deserved to have their stories told as well. But it's not a children's book. It's aimed at adults and teenagers due to complex themes and mentions of violence and rape.
I also wanted to make the experience fun and interactive. So I added questions that people can respond to on my Facebook, Twitter and/or Instagram pages and I added little hashtags as commentary on the stories e.g. #HenryVIIIEatYourHeartOut! I want the readers to feel involved in the process and to give their opinions.
Then a new idea came to me when I was reading 'The Incredible Incas' by Terry Deary. I just thought that while it's a very good book, where are the women? It was a very male-centric book and I decided that Inca women and goddesses deserved to have their stories told as well. But it's not a children's book. It's aimed at adults and teenagers due to complex themes and mentions of violence and rape.
I also wanted to make the experience fun and interactive. So I added questions that people can respond to on my Facebook, Twitter and/or Instagram pages and I added little hashtags as commentary on the stories e.g. #HenryVIIIEatYourHeartOut! I want the readers to feel involved in the process and to give their opinions.
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