Day
Four of the Rapunzel-themed Blog Tour, and this time, I get to
interview Kendra E. Ardnek, author of Misfortune.
Welcome,
Anka Kendra (or is it Arista these days?), to the Rambling Rose!
We’re honored to have you visit our humble little piece of the
Blogosphere once again (and by "we," I mean myself and the
various members of the Peanut Gallery peeking in the windows and
around the doorway, of course).
I
answer to both Anka and Arista. They each belong to a different
universe, though they mean very close to the same thing.
1.)
I hear you’ve based Misfortune not only on the classic tale
of Rapunzel, but also the book of Daniel. What inspired you to
combine these two stories?
The
title, actually! Way back, I played a "your YA title based off
your name and shirt color" game, and what I got was "The
Daughter of Blood and Misfortune." What immediately popped into
my head was the story of a girl who was considered cursed because she
was born on the night that her kingdom fell, and my brain kept going
"Fall of Babylon." Round about a few months later, I was
looking for a Rapunzel retelling for the Golden Braids challenge, and
this came to mind. See, there’s a non-canon story of Daniel where
he killed a dragon. Using, among other things ... hair. It’s a
story that’s fascinated me since I first heard it, and so I
couldn’t resist the chance to play with it.
2.)
What has been the most difficult part of writing Misfortune?
I
actually lost the first three chapters of the book immediately upon
writing them (I was using an annoying computer). I was able to
recover the first chapter, because I’d just shared it online, but I
had to rewrite the rest. I wasn’t able to recreate that first
chapter, and it about killed my motivation to work on the story.
Which is why you’re seeing it now instead of with the Golden Braids
last year. That said, that loss was what spurred me to reattack Hair
We Go Again, after I’d lost ITS first couple chapters a few
months before, which is why that book was the one that I released
last year.
Oh,
honey...I’ve
been there. It HURTS! ☹
*Moment
of silence for lost work*
3.)
Which of the characters was the most fun to work with?
Misha,
maybe? I just love writing mysterious old mentors who know more than
they’re letting on.
4.)
Were there any surprises or "Aha!" moments you’d like to
share?
The
moment that the story clicked together with the tale of Daniel and
the Dragon.
5.)
Do you plan on weaving any more Biblical stories into future works?
Who
honestly knows. I’ve done it before, I’ll do it again, I promise.
6.)
I noticed the braid in the cover-art is brown
black,
not "like spun gold," per the original Faerie-tale. (Well,
it looked brown on my laptop, but we all know how shifty computer
screens can be, LOL.) Care to satisfy my curiosity (and probably
others’) as to why?
Because
the heroine has black hair, not gold? Had to make it culturally
appropriate!
7.)
Any advice or encouragement for other writers looking to retell a
classic Faerie-tale?
Make
the story your own. Add your own twist to make it awesome. Respect
the original tale. And remember that Disney is, itself, a retelling
so please stop treating it as the original, guys!
Thanks,
Kendra, for stopping by, and best wishes with your newest release!
Pop
on over to Knitted by God’s Plan, A Synesthette Writer, and all the
other blogs listed below join the fun!
May 16Kendra E. Ardnek – Top 10 Rapunzel Retellings.
Interviews:
Dreams and Dragons – The Daughter of Blood and Misfortune
Rambling Rose – Kendra
Reviews:
Live. Love. Read – Diamond
Until
next time, Gentle Readers,
God
bless,
~ℛ~
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