Author: Carolyn Garriott

ISBN: 09778831-0-8

Today, Norm Goldman, Editor& Publisher of Bookpleasures.com is pleased to have as our guest, Carolyn Garriott, author of Shadow of the Cross

Good day Carolyn and thanks for participating in our interview.

Norm:

Authors of historical fiction are very often faced with the dilemma of creating a strong story and remaining true to historical evidence. Apparently, authors are divided in their approach to the integration of fiction and historical fact. Would you care to comment?

Carolyn: 

Readers of stories set in an historical context demand that the writer get the actual historical facts correct.  For that matter, all readers prefer a story embedded within realistic background.  That is why a good story demands rigorous research.  There are always readers out there who know the facts at least as well as we do, so we dare not insult their intelligence and real world experience by ignoring empirical facts. 

If we do the reader will quickly dump the story as sophomoric.

Norm:

What has been your overall experience as a published author?

Carolyn:

Before being “published” I was blissfully unaware of my future role in the publishing process.  I expected to agonize over editors’ recommendations for re-writes and other changes - - But I had not the slightest idea about my part in the publicity and marketing efforts.  I had seen the blurbs and photos on dust jackets and back covers of the books “about the author”, but the reality of endless effort to raise the visibility of the product, push it, SELL IT!!  

It is not all fun and games.

Norm:

Do you feel that writers, regardless of genre owe something to readers, if not, why not, if so, why and what would that be?

Carolyn:

Certainly the author owes a good deal to the reader; that is, if the author wants to be read, and presumably to enjoy some commercial success.

When the author offers the book to the reader, a relationship is begun.

The reader expects to be engaged and entertained; the author wants to tell the story.  That negotiation continues to the end where, in a successful novel,  both will get what they want. 

Norm:

Why did you feel compelled to write Shadow of the Cross?
 
Carolyn:

When I became interested in Native American history in high school and college, the facts presented there often seemed contradictory, or failed to make sense.  For example we were taught that the Iroquois had attacked the Huron and completely annihilated them, despite the Huron outnumbering the Iroquois over two to one.  Inconsistencies like that made me determined to find out what really happened.  Over a period of some 35 years I learned that the struggle between the various native tribes, the encroaching European economic forces and the efforts of the Christian missionaries was a wonderful story, and one that the history teachers in school taught poorly or entirely inaccurately. 

Among other reasons, I wanted to tell part of that story as I saw it, with real people, as opposed to a confusing list of names dates and places.      

Norm:

How did you come up with ideas for Shadow of the Cross? What methods did you use to flesh out your ideas to determine if they were salable?

Carolyn:

Shadow is my first novel, and I have been putting this story together in my mind for many years.  When I finally was able to write it, my objective was to get the story down, make it believable as well as entertaining.   However, the ‘salability’ of the final product was not a high priority in the process. 

As mentioned above, I knew the story had to engage and entertain the reader, but in fact I believe that writing the story to enhance its salability would actually be counterproductive to readability, accuracy and realism. 

Without getting off on a rant, I believe that many novels, and their offspring screenplays, that are produced to be salable, become crass, coarse and badly distorted by unnecessary violence, and gratuitous sexual reference.

Norm:

Can you explain some of your research techniques, and how you found sources for your book?

Carolyn:

Research Techniques?  Thank goodness for the internet.  I have a bachelor’s degree in Anthropology and over the years I have collected many books for my personal library.  But for the most part they only served as a bibliography – a starting point if you will.

While almost all historical references to early natives of the east will refer to the Jesuit Relations, most of the information has been taken out of context.  It was an eye opener to be able to read the literal translations of the reports these men sent to France.  The same applies for the treatment of wolves.

I have an extensive library devoted to ecological problems and animal behavior.  But one must not rely on second-hand views.  Though I could not get out with the wolves myself, I made sure the manuscript was reviewed by someone who was expert on such things.

Norm:

What obstacles did you have in trying to tell your story?

Carolyn:

I found that, while I had ready access to the Anthropological (second-hand) view of the Huron world view, it was frustrating to try to put their thought into action.  I was constantly asking myself, if I truly believed this, would I really say or do that.  I was fortunate to have found a wonderful book written by a Wyandot scholar who dealt with their philosophy and general beliefs.  It was like reading a first hand version of the Jesuit Relations – only on the other side.

Norm:

Do you agree that to have good drama there must be an emotional charge that usually comes from the individual squaring off against antagonists either out in the world or within himself or herself? If so, please elaborate and how does it fit into you novel?

Carolyn:

The “hero against a world of trouble” is certainly a way to tell an exciting story, and I even enjoy reading that sort of fiction from time to time, but it isn’t my thing.  I like to write about real people doing real things.  This may go back to the salability thing, but so far I have not been moved to write about an action hero type. 

Antagonisms within oneself enter into my story, but it is not as much dramatic as realistic to me.   

Norm:

It is said that if you want to write a good story or novel you need to create struggles of powerful descriptive individuals and not just issues. Through their accomplishments and travail, we very much comprehend the issues? Do you agree and if so, why?

Carolyn:

The primacy of individuals’ actions over just issues seems basic to me.  As a story teller I have always illustrated issues (morals) through what people do, some with wonderful success and others with less.  Aesop started this a long time ago and most of us story tellers have been plagiarizing him since.

Norm:

What is next for Carolyn Garriott and is there anything else you wish to add that we have not covered?

Carolyn:

 I have three books that I am researching and have even started the rough drafts.  You would think that at my age I could be more focused, but I find it more interesting to work this way.  When the research gets dull or I hit a dead end and must wait for correspondents to respond, I simply work on something else.  One of the three projects I am working on is a follow-up book on the Wyandot because I find the history of these people to be vastly underrated and misunderstood.

Thanks once again and good luck with Shadow of the Cross.

The above interview was contributed by: NORM GOLDMAN:  Retired Title Attorney: Editor & Publisher of Bookpleasures. Here are  Norm Goldman's Reviews       

To read Norm's review of Shadow of the Cross CLICK HERE

You can find out more about Carolyn Garriott by CLICKING HERE