the thread: The Trials of Midnight, Book 1) > Likes and Comments
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Hello Jennifer,
Welcome to our Goodreads discussion! We're delighted to have you with us today. Thank you for taking the time to join us and chat with our readers.
To begin our discussion, I'd love to ask:
What first inspired you to write Woodfolk, and how did the idea for Midnight and the hidden world of the woodfolk come to life?
We're looking forward to learning more about your creative journey and hearing your insights. Welcome once again!
Helllo
Sorry about that. Had trouble signing in
The woodfolk were first created by me in the first novel of the first series and they have evolved their attitudes during the past seven books.
Welcome, Jennifer! We're thrilled to have you join us for today's discussion.
To start us off:
In Woodfolk, the themes of identity, courage, and belonging are central to Midnight's journey. What inspired you to explore these themes, and what do you hope readers take away from his story?
Midnight entered during the second book of the first series as aa neglected lonely child whose father had placed a curse o his mother's family to hate him and thus destroy ther own integrity.
We awas treatedd badly and shunnned as being stupid because he couldn't understand them, which was because he was deaf.
I used to work in a school for the deaf as a psycholigist so I have experience in working with deaf people.
Jennifer, Woodfolk introduces readers to a hidden world that has remained secret for centuries. What was the biggest challenge you faced in creating such a rich and believable fantasy world, and what part of that world was your favorite to write?
In the first book, Bronze Magic, an exiled prince,Tarkyn, discovers he has been made liege lord of these woodfolk he knows nothing about. They are egalitarian while he is feudal and hierarchical. However he is also kind and tries to work together with woodofok rather than being overly authoritarian. Some woodoflk overcome their own prejudices towards him, in particualr Waterstone, so that they can become companions and even frineds.
Jennifer, thank you once again for joining us!
I'd love to ask: What was the most enjoyable part of writing Woodfolk, and is there a scene or character that holds a special place in your heart?
Also, I was wondering if Woodfolk has a reading guide or is featured on Litopia. If so, could you let our readers know where we can find them? I think many readers would enjoy exploring the book even further.
Jennifer, I have another question for you!
Does Woodfolk have a reading guide or a Litopia page for book clubs and readers? If so, could you please let us know where we can find it? I'm sure many of our readers would love to explore the book more deeply and continue the discussion.
Over the course of several books, the woodoflk encounter other sorcerers and gradually they come to the conclusion that they may be able to veenture into outsider (outside the forest) society. They are still secretive within the forest but no longer punish their own members for revealing their presence.
Jennifer, I have one more quick question:
Does Woodfolk have a reading guide
Midnight has the joint disadvantages of being deaf and having a traumatic start to life, being reviled and neglected until Prince Tarkyn rescues him at seven years old and makes him his ward.
As I said in another post that I seem to have lost, I used to work in a school for the deaf and have had experience with deaf children and adults.
On theother hand, Mindght is very magically powerful and is often underestimated, as are many deaf people.
Thank you so much for sharing that with us, Jennifer.
It's wonderful to know that your experience working in a school for the deaf helped shape Midnight's character. That real-life perspective adds an extra layer of authenticity and depth to his journey. I also appreciate how you've portrayed Midnight as someone who is incredibly powerful yet often underestimated. It's a meaningful reminder that people should never be judged by their disabilities.
Thank you for giving us this insight into your inspiration it makes reading Woodfolk even more rewarding.
I hard another question about this reading gauld did your book have it yes or no and listopia
I made the woodoflk up as I was writing the first book and they devloped over time, I wanted some pople who were not the same as elves or dwarves
Jennifer, I have another question for you.
When you were writing Woodfolk, was there a particular scene or chapter that was the most challenging or the most rewarding to write? We'd love to hear more about your writing experience.
Also, does Woodfolk have a reading guide for book clubs? If yes, we'd be happy if you could share it with us. If not, I encourage you to reach out to the Goodreads Librarians Group moderators, as they can help you with resources and information about creating or adding a reading guide for your book.
Jennifer, I noticed you haven't answered one of our earlier questions.
Does Woodfolk have a reading guide and is it included on any Goodreads Listopia lists?
Hello again,
Looks like my earlier replies may have disappeared into the ether,
RE WOODFOLK
Woodfolk is the first book of the third series set in this world. In the first book of the first series, Bronze Magic, Prince Tarkyn is forced to become the woodfolk’s liege lord and they are forced to accept him. So, the feudal prince and the egalitarian woodfolk had to find ways to work together. Over the next six books, woodfolk became involved, sometimes unwillingly, in major events being played out among sorcerers and other outsiders. In time, the woodfolk move from their original extreme stance of secrecy to interactions with a select few sorcerers then to the point where they have come to know enough outsiders to make them reconsider the tenets of their society and to allow themselves to become known to the outside world.
Hello again,
Looks like my earlier replies may have disappeared into the ether,
RE WOODFOLK
Woodfolk is the first book of the third series set in this world. In the first book of the first series, Bronze Magic, Prince Tarkyn is forced to become the woodfolk’s liege lord and they are forced to accept him. So, the feudal prince and the egalitarian woodfolk had to find ways to work together. Over the next six books, woodfolk became involved, sometimes unwillingly, in major events being played out among sorcerers and other outsiders. In time, the woodfolk move from their original extreme stance of secrecy to interactions with a select few sorcerers then to the point where they have come to know enough outsiders to make them reconsider the tenets of their society and to allow themselves to become known to the outside world.
MIDNIGHT
I wanted to explore the difficulties that deafness and past trauma caused Midnight in venturing into unfamiliar situations, over and above those experienced by the other woodfolk.
Although Midnight is magically powerful, his deafness and the traumatic first years of his life mean that he struggles with emotional control and self-confidence. He spent the first few years of his life isolated and reviled, treated as a malicious idiot, partly because of his deafness and partly because of a curse laid upon him by his wizard father. Used to rejection, he has a tendency to panic and run away which years of nurturing and training by Prince Tarkyn, his self-appointed guardian, and the prince’s closest woodfolk friends have mitigated but not completely removed. In addition to this, being a prince’s ward and part sorcerer means that he feels he should learn sorcerer etiquette when the woodfolk venture into the outside world, while his fellow woodfolk feel no obligation to change their behaviour. In fact, they are determined to stay true to their own values but accept that Midnight may have other priorities.
Iworked as psychologist in a school for the deaf andd so have experience of someo of the difficulties experienced by deaf children and adults. I have also worked with children who have experienced trauma so I suppose some of my accumulated jkknoweldge has seeped into my portrayal of MIdnght.
Thank you so much for sharing this, Jennifer!
It's fascinating to learn that Woodfolk is connected to a much larger world and that the woodfolk gradually evolved from complete secrecy to interacting with the outside world over the course of several books. I also appreciate the depth you've given Midnight his struggles with deafness, trauma, and self-confidence make him feel like a truly compelling and relatable character.
Thank you for giving us this wonderful insight into your world and your characters.
I also wanted to follow up on one of our earlier questions: Does Woodfolk have a reading guide and is it featured on any Goodreads Listopia lists?
Thank you for sharing that with us, Jennifer.
Your professional experience as a psychologist working with deaf children and adults, as well as children who have experienced trauma, really shines through in Midnight's character. It's clear that you've brought both compassion and authenticity to his journey, which makes him feel incredibly real and relatable.
Also, I wanted to follow up on our earlier question. Does Woodfolk have a reading guide or appear on any Goodreads Listopia lists? If not, I encourage you to reach out to one of our Goodreads Librarians Group moderators. We'd be happy to let you know what steps to take to create a reading guide or get your book added to the appropriate resources.
HI
Woodoflk is not yet on LIstopia and it doesn't have areading guide. It will be available on Audible but is not at the moment. The previous seven books are on Audible
Jennifer, here's a fun question!
If Midnight could sit down with you for a cup of tea, what do you think he would thank you for and what do you think he'd complain about as his author?
Jennifer, was there one particular chapter in Woodfolk that was the most emotional or rewarding for you to write? What made that chapter so special to you?
If I sat down with Midnght for a cup of tea, I think he might be embarrassed that I recognised his inner panic but thank me for showing he was learning to mange his own reactioins
I really liked the chapter swith Prince Rudolfus in them because he was so unexpected and so full of exuberance
I think when Midnght worked out his stance as the product of two societies, woodoflk and sorcerer,, was the most emotional.
Thank you so much for sharing that, Jennifer.
I really enjoyed reading your answers. It's touching to hear how deeply you understand Midnight's inner struggles and growth. His journey toward accepting both sides of his identity sounds incredibly meaningful. I also love that Prince Rudolfus surprised you as you were writing those unexpected moments often make characters feel especially alive.
Thank you for giving us such thoughtful insights into Woodfolk. It's been a pleasure learning more about your characters and the heart behind the story.
Let another question come from another readers
Jennifer, I have another question for you.
Looking back at Woodfolk, is there a scene or conversation between the characters that still gives you chills or makes you emotional every time you reread it? What makes that moment so memorable to you?
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Hello Jennifer,Welcome to our Goodreads discussion! We're delighted to have you with us today. Thank you for taking the time to join us and chat with our readers.
To begin our discussion, I'd love to ask:
What first inspired you to write Woodfolk, and how did the idea for Midnight and the hidden world of the woodfolk come to life?
We're looking forward to learning more about your creative journey and hearing your insights. Welcome once again!
HellloSorry about that. Had trouble signing in
The woodfolk were first created by me in the first novel of the first series and they have evolved their attitudes during the past seven books.
Welcome, Jennifer! We're thrilled to have you join us for today's discussion.To start us off:
In Woodfolk, the themes of identity, courage, and belonging are central to Midnight's journey. What inspired you to explore these themes, and what do you hope readers take away from his story?
Midnight entered during the second book of the first series as aa neglected lonely child whose father had placed a curse o his mother's family to hate him and thus destroy ther own integrity.We awas treatedd badly and shunnned as being stupid because he couldn't understand them, which was because he was deaf.
I used to work in a school for the deaf as a psycholigist so I have experience in working with deaf people.
Jennifer, Woodfolk introduces readers to a hidden world that has remained secret for centuries. What was the biggest challenge you faced in creating such a rich and believable fantasy world, and what part of that world was your favorite to write?
In the first book, Bronze Magic, an exiled prince,Tarkyn, discovers he has been made liege lord of these woodfolk he knows nothing about. They are egalitarian while he is feudal and hierarchical. However he is also kind and tries to work together with woodofok rather than being overly authoritarian. Some woodoflk overcome their own prejudices towards him, in particualr Waterstone, so that they can become companions and even frineds.
Jennifer, thank you once again for joining us!I'd love to ask: What was the most enjoyable part of writing Woodfolk, and is there a scene or character that holds a special place in your heart?
Also, I was wondering if Woodfolk has a reading guide or is featured on Litopia. If so, could you let our readers know where we can find them? I think many readers would enjoy exploring the book even further.
Jennifer, I have another question for you!Does Woodfolk have a reading guide or a Litopia page for book clubs and readers? If so, could you please let us know where we can find it? I'm sure many of our readers would love to explore the book more deeply and continue the discussion.
Over the course of several books, the woodoflk encounter other sorcerers and gradually they come to the conclusion that they may be able to veenture into outsider (outside the forest) society. They are still secretive within the forest but no longer punish their own members for revealing their presence.
Jennifer, I have one more quick question:Does Woodfolk have a reading guide
Midnight has the joint disadvantages of being deaf and having a traumatic start to life, being reviled and neglected until Prince Tarkyn rescues him at seven years old and makes him his ward.As I said in another post that I seem to have lost, I used to work in a school for the deaf and have had experience with deaf children and adults.
On theother hand, Mindght is very magically powerful and is often underestimated, as are many deaf people.
Thank you so much for sharing that with us, Jennifer.It's wonderful to know that your experience working in a school for the deaf helped shape Midnight's character. That real-life perspective adds an extra layer of authenticity and depth to his journey. I also appreciate how you've portrayed Midnight as someone who is incredibly powerful yet often underestimated. It's a meaningful reminder that people should never be judged by their disabilities.
Thank you for giving us this insight into your inspiration it makes reading Woodfolk even more rewarding.
I hard another question about this reading gauld did your book have it yes or no and listopia
I made the woodoflk up as I was writing the first book and they devloped over time, I wanted some pople who were not the same as elves or dwarves
Jennifer, I have another question for you.When you were writing Woodfolk, was there a particular scene or chapter that was the most challenging or the most rewarding to write? We'd love to hear more about your writing experience.
Also, does Woodfolk have a reading guide for book clubs? If yes, we'd be happy if you could share it with us. If not, I encourage you to reach out to the Goodreads Librarians Group moderators, as they can help you with resources and information about creating or adding a reading guide for your book.
Jennifer, I noticed you haven't answered one of our earlier questions.Does Woodfolk have a reading guide and is it included on any Goodreads Listopia lists?
Hello again,Looks like my earlier replies may have disappeared into the ether,
RE WOODFOLK
Woodfolk is the first book of the third series set in this world. In the first book of the first series, Bronze Magic, Prince Tarkyn is forced to become the woodfolk’s liege lord and they are forced to accept him. So, the feudal prince and the egalitarian woodfolk had to find ways to work together. Over the next six books, woodfolk became involved, sometimes unwillingly, in major events being played out among sorcerers and other outsiders. In time, the woodfolk move from their original extreme stance of secrecy to interactions with a select few sorcerers then to the point where they have come to know enough outsiders to make them reconsider the tenets of their society and to allow themselves to become known to the outside world.
Hello again,Looks like my earlier replies may have disappeared into the ether,
RE WOODFOLK
Woodfolk is the first book of the third series set in this world. In the first book of the first series, Bronze Magic, Prince Tarkyn is forced to become the woodfolk’s liege lord and they are forced to accept him. So, the feudal prince and the egalitarian woodfolk had to find ways to work together. Over the next six books, woodfolk became involved, sometimes unwillingly, in major events being played out among sorcerers and other outsiders. In time, the woodfolk move from their original extreme stance of secrecy to interactions with a select few sorcerers then to the point where they have come to know enough outsiders to make them reconsider the tenets of their society and to allow themselves to become known to the outside world.
MIDNIGHTI wanted to explore the difficulties that deafness and past trauma caused Midnight in venturing into unfamiliar situations, over and above those experienced by the other woodfolk.
Although Midnight is magically powerful, his deafness and the traumatic first years of his life mean that he struggles with emotional control and self-confidence. He spent the first few years of his life isolated and reviled, treated as a malicious idiot, partly because of his deafness and partly because of a curse laid upon him by his wizard father. Used to rejection, he has a tendency to panic and run away which years of nurturing and training by Prince Tarkyn, his self-appointed guardian, and the prince’s closest woodfolk friends have mitigated but not completely removed. In addition to this, being a prince’s ward and part sorcerer means that he feels he should learn sorcerer etiquette when the woodfolk venture into the outside world, while his fellow woodfolk feel no obligation to change their behaviour. In fact, they are determined to stay true to their own values but accept that Midnight may have other priorities.
Iworked as psychologist in a school for the deaf andd so have experience of someo of the difficulties experienced by deaf children and adults. I have also worked with children who have experienced trauma so I suppose some of my accumulated jkknoweldge has seeped into my portrayal of MIdnght.
Thank you so much for sharing this, Jennifer!It's fascinating to learn that Woodfolk is connected to a much larger world and that the woodfolk gradually evolved from complete secrecy to interacting with the outside world over the course of several books. I also appreciate the depth you've given Midnight his struggles with deafness, trauma, and self-confidence make him feel like a truly compelling and relatable character.
Thank you for giving us this wonderful insight into your world and your characters.
I also wanted to follow up on one of our earlier questions: Does Woodfolk have a reading guide and is it featured on any Goodreads Listopia lists?
Thank you for sharing that with us, Jennifer.Your professional experience as a psychologist working with deaf children and adults, as well as children who have experienced trauma, really shines through in Midnight's character. It's clear that you've brought both compassion and authenticity to his journey, which makes him feel incredibly real and relatable.
Also, I wanted to follow up on our earlier question. Does Woodfolk have a reading guide or appear on any Goodreads Listopia lists? If not, I encourage you to reach out to one of our Goodreads Librarians Group moderators. We'd be happy to let you know what steps to take to create a reading guide or get your book added to the appropriate resources.
HIWoodoflk is not yet on LIstopia and it doesn't have areading guide. It will be available on Audible but is not at the moment. The previous seven books are on Audible
Jennifer, here's a fun question!If Midnight could sit down with you for a cup of tea, what do you think he would thank you for and what do you think he'd complain about as his author?
Jennifer, was there one particular chapter in Woodfolk that was the most emotional or rewarding for you to write? What made that chapter so special to you?
If I sat down with Midnght for a cup of tea, I think he might be embarrassed that I recognised his inner panic but thank me for showing he was learning to mange his own reactioinsI really liked the chapter swith Prince Rudolfus in them because he was so unexpected and so full of exuberance
I think when Midnght worked out his stance as the product of two societies, woodoflk and sorcerer,, was the most emotional.
Thank you so much for sharing that, Jennifer.I really enjoyed reading your answers. It's touching to hear how deeply you understand Midnight's inner struggles and growth. His journey toward accepting both sides of his identity sounds incredibly meaningful. I also love that Prince Rudolfus surprised you as you were writing those unexpected moments often make characters feel especially alive.
Thank you for giving us such thoughtful insights into Woodfolk. It's been a pleasure learning more about your characters and the heart behind the story.
Let another question come from another readers
Jennifer, I have another question for you.Looking back at Woodfolk, is there a scene or conversation between the characters that still gives you chills or makes you emotional every time you reread it? What makes that moment so memorable to you?
Hello everyone!
Please join me in welcoming our great author, Jennifer Ealey, to today's Goodreads discussion of Woodfolk (The Trials of Midnight, Book 1).
Woodfolk introduces readers to a captivating fantasy world where the hidden woodfolk step beyond centuries of secrecy, forcing them to confront a feudal, sorcerer-ruled society that fears what it doesn't understand. At the heart of the story is Midnight, a deaf forest guardian whose journey of courage, identity, and belonging makes for an unforgettable adventure.
We're delighted to have Jennifer here with us to discuss her novel, her inspiration, her world-building, and the characters that bring this remarkable story to life.
Jennifer, thank you so much for joining us. We truly appreciate you taking the time to spend with our community. Welcome, and we're looking forward to a wonderful discussion!