Holly Bodger's Blog
December 4, 2014
Extras!!!
I've just posted some 5 TO 1 extras on my website, including the first chapter and the Laws of Koyanagar (the fictional country in which this book is set). More coming soon at http://hollybodger.com/extras/
October 15, 2014
Excerpt from 5 TO 1, Chapter 4
"She pauses again, this time for a different effect. She wants the audience to imagine these poor boys made happy because they had a purpose. She wants the audience to think of their own sons, or future sons, leaving these tests feeling the same. Not cheated out of a future. Privileged to serve. She doesn’t want to mention that the violence hasn’t stopped since the wall went up. The boys are guarding it for a reason: they’re supposed to kill anyone who tries to get through without permission. They’ve been promised a full stomach for their success; a noose for their failure.
The sheltered girls who never see the wall believe this ruse. They think the guards assigned there are these noble warriors willing to die for them, but they’re not. They’re still just as angry and resentful, and still just as covered in blood. And they’re not at the wall because of their loyalty to Koyanagar or its girls. They’re there because, like the forty boys who’ve come to this theatre to compete for the eight girls here today, they have no choice. The State provides their food, their shelter, their shackles for life. It’s do or die, and for many, do and die."
Holly Bodger, 5 to 1
The sheltered girls who never see the wall believe this ruse. They think the guards assigned there are these noble warriors willing to die for them, but they’re not. They’re still just as angry and resentful, and still just as covered in blood. And they’re not at the wall because of their loyalty to Koyanagar or its girls. They’re there because, like the forty boys who’ve come to this theatre to compete for the eight girls here today, they have no choice. The State provides their food, their shelter, their shackles for life. It’s do or die, and for many, do and die."
Holly Bodger, 5 to 1
September 29, 2014
Excerpt from 5 TO 1 (Chapter 3)
They
I
I imagine a time when this stage was used
for real shows:
A time when this entire theatre
was drenched in
Not anymore.
No time for plays.
No need for plays.
We have the Tests
to fill the women’s cups
with entertainment.
We have the wall
to heap their plates
With revenge.
Holly Bodger, 5 to 1
dim the lights.
I
dim my eyes.
I imagine a time when this stage was used
for real shows:
Dattani
Bhāsa
Kālidāsa
A time when this entire theatre
was drenched in
music.
laughter.
song.
Not anymore.
No time for plays.
No need for plays.
We have the Tests
to fill the women’s cups
with entertainment.
We have the wall
to heap their plates
with victory.
With revenge.
Holly Bodger, 5 to 1
November 13, 2013
Why "5 to1"?
Every writer chooses the title of their novel for a different reason. For now (and I know this may change!) my book is called "5 to 1" and I thought I'd take a minute to explain why.
My book is set in a fictional country that used to be part of India. One of the reasons this country is created is because they're trying to solve problems that have resulted from a severe gender imbalance in their population (namely, that there are 5 boys for every 1 girl of marriageable age). So there you have it: the problem is the ratio (5 to 1) so I called the book that.
But wait, it doesn't stop there. The book is about a girl who is forced to choose her husband through a series of tests. There are five competitors and she needs to narrow them down to one choice. Once again, the 5 to 1 title made sense.
As I was writing the book, I realized that there was a third reason the title made sense. Unfortunately, I cannot reveal that reason without giving away the plot, so you'll have to wait until the book comes out!
My book is set in a fictional country that used to be part of India. One of the reasons this country is created is because they're trying to solve problems that have resulted from a severe gender imbalance in their population (namely, that there are 5 boys for every 1 girl of marriageable age). So there you have it: the problem is the ratio (5 to 1) so I called the book that.
But wait, it doesn't stop there. The book is about a girl who is forced to choose her husband through a series of tests. There are five competitors and she needs to narrow them down to one choice. Once again, the 5 to 1 title made sense.
As I was writing the book, I realized that there was a third reason the title made sense. Unfortunately, I cannot reveal that reason without giving away the plot, so you'll have to wait until the book comes out!
