Ask the Author: Olivia Godfrey
Answered Questions (6)
Olivia Godfrey
My upcoming novella is part of a multi-author series of fairytale retellings and mine is based off of A Wounded Lion, so of course there are many parallels.
What is unique about the series though is that our main characters would technically be side characters of the original story. So we have the setting to work with and weave in aspects of the original, but the way it was curated, we're able to create a whole extra storyline on top of the original and therefore something more our own, which is so cool!
Something I've loved is that I learned that A Wounded Lion originates in Spain so I drew inspiration from architecture, the language(and Latin), and landscape. All of it is so beautiful! I didn't feel comfortable going beyond that though because I'm not a native. I also did just want to appreciate that it is fantasy and I can be as creative as I'd like!
I kind of made it more political intrigue but rather than having an established hierarchy, as in the original, the "royal family" is more of a business empire and the villain(a giant in the original) is attempting to become a "business giant" but is more of a medieval mobster and that is so fun!!
There's all sorts of extra stuff like that but I've already gone on longer than I meant to... I'll just say in closing, the spins I was able to incorporate make me unbelievably excited and I'm hoping, hoping, hoping those details won't be lost!
It is harder with a story that isn't as well known, but I've come to love it so much and I hope others will too!
What is unique about the series though is that our main characters would technically be side characters of the original story. So we have the setting to work with and weave in aspects of the original, but the way it was curated, we're able to create a whole extra storyline on top of the original and therefore something more our own, which is so cool!
Something I've loved is that I learned that A Wounded Lion originates in Spain so I drew inspiration from architecture, the language(and Latin), and landscape. All of it is so beautiful! I didn't feel comfortable going beyond that though because I'm not a native. I also did just want to appreciate that it is fantasy and I can be as creative as I'd like!
I kind of made it more political intrigue but rather than having an established hierarchy, as in the original, the "royal family" is more of a business empire and the villain(a giant in the original) is attempting to become a "business giant" but is more of a medieval mobster and that is so fun!!
There's all sorts of extra stuff like that but I've already gone on longer than I meant to... I'll just say in closing, the spins I was able to incorporate make me unbelievably excited and I'm hoping, hoping, hoping those details won't be lost!
It is harder with a story that isn't as well known, but I've come to love it so much and I hope others will too!
Olivia Godfrey
I... am a bit of a Pinterest junkie, ha!
But in all seriousness (more than the above), I like themes--I like having a genre and an idea/vibe to build around. Pinterest IS very helpful with that though. Maybe too helpful? xD
But in all seriousness (more than the above), I like themes--I like having a genre and an idea/vibe to build around. Pinterest IS very helpful with that though. Maybe too helpful? xD
Olivia Godfrey
Find a writing community.
Learn the ropes--even if you're not aiming to indie publish, learn what it entails so you can appreciate all of the aspects and depth of the biz.
Don't worry about starting small. Make sure you have a good foundation.
Learn the ropes--even if you're not aiming to indie publish, learn what it entails so you can appreciate all of the aspects and depth of the biz.
Don't worry about starting small. Make sure you have a good foundation.
Olivia Godfrey
The worlds we can create and live in in our heads. That we can bring characters to life. That we can share that with others and if they enjoy it too(which is so so cool!!) <3
Olivia Godfrey
If one spot in particular isn't working, I'll make notes of where I need that scene to go, and proceed on. Going back to it, by that time I generally have a decent direction, but I'll write down more questions for myself with different angles to try to spur on ideas. Getting dialogue and wit right with those scenes is the trickiest though...
I might also do research about a specific aspect.
Ask my writing community questions.
Browse my inspo boards.
But most importantly--prayer(has never ever failed)
I might also do research about a specific aspect.
Ask my writing community questions.
Browse my inspo boards.
But most importantly--prayer(has never ever failed)
Olivia Godfrey
Narnia--I'd have tea at Cair Paravel, go on a ride through the forest, and go on a voyage(the ship's name doesn't HAVE to be Dawn Treader but. I mean... I wouldn't be mad about it).
Middle Earth--Rivendell and Hobbiton seem obvious answers to see where Aragorn grew up and stay in a Hobbit hole, and of course I'd love to visit both, but mostly I'd like to tag along with Gimli and Legolas going to Fangorn, Mirkwood, and the caverns below Helms Deep too. I'd also love to have seen Numenor in it's hay-day(I haven't seen Rings of Power's version except clips but... it does look pretty amazing). I can't not mention I had an extremely vivid dream of living in Minis Tirith once. It was beautiful! But everything was very... white(that's kind of a pun. Sorry). So... I'm not quite sure about that one though.
Middle Earth--Rivendell and Hobbiton seem obvious answers to see where Aragorn grew up and stay in a Hobbit hole, and of course I'd love to visit both, but mostly I'd like to tag along with Gimli and Legolas going to Fangorn, Mirkwood, and the caverns below Helms Deep too. I'd also love to have seen Numenor in it's hay-day(I haven't seen Rings of Power's version except clips but... it does look pretty amazing). I can't not mention I had an extremely vivid dream of living in Minis Tirith once. It was beautiful! But everything was very... white(that's kind of a pun. Sorry). So... I'm not quite sure about that one though.
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