Alexandra interviews Jane Prowe, author of Hattori Hachi – The Revenge of Praying Mantis
Hello Jane, I read that you also work as a Director. Was it very different trying out writing?
Left brain and right brain! Totally different - as a director I feel like the conductor of an orchestra, co-ordinating everyone to do their very best at whatever their job, be it actor, sound, lighting, costume, camera. I have to have a clear idea of what we're all trying to achieve and then keep everyone on track, all moving towards the same goal and then it's up to me to decide when we have the shots. I make thousands of decisions a day when I'm directing. Writing's a whole other story... that involves not making decisions - at least not until you know you have the right idea. Instead, you have to be in a very open, receptive, creative state, holed up alone hour after hour (with only cats for comfort and inspiration!) For the most part there's no one to talk things over with - at least not until you've delivered something that's vaguely readable to your editor . It's just painstaking hour after hour of thinking, writing, thinking some more, deleting and then getting a sudden rush of ideas that you can't type fast enough - and when that happens, that's one of the best feelings in the world.
What’s your favourite thing about writing?
Lying on the sofa with a cat, thinking. It's every bit at important as sitting at the computer, writing. And then when the idea come together and start flowing, that feeling is fantastic. Sometimes, I have no idea where it's all coming from - I just know it's the result of a lot of preparation, planning and musing. I love it once I know what the ending is too - because that makes writing everything that leads up to it so much easier. And being in control of a whole world where you can make people do what you want and administer justice as you see fit is very compelling. But one of the most powerful favourite moments of writing Hattori Hachi was seeing the actual book in print for the first time. That was a huge buzz.
In Hattori Hachi, Mad Dog is a great character. How did you come up with the idea for him?
I'm so pleased you like Mad Dog - he's one of my favourites too. I think he's the embodiment of everything that's unjust in life - like being misaccused or blamed for something you haven't done, being judged on family or friends rather than your own actions or opinions. He was such fun to write - I always knew he had a heart of gold and was devoted to Hattie. I love writing that kind of complex but lovable character. I have great plans for him in the next books - he's got some more personal hurdles to overcome, but in the end will be the one person who fully understands the ninja concept of "the great emptiness of potential". He can be anything and anyone he wants to be!
How do you think you’d do if you were fighting Praying Mantis?
Terrible! I'd understand intellectually what I needed to do - but my knees would be shaking so much I'd just want to run and hope someone else was around to fight the evil assassin. But I'd only have to think of all the terrible things Praying Mantis might do to make me feel fired up and prepared to fight. I'm a pretty quick thinker, so hopefully my wits would help me survive - though like Hattie I wouldn't want to have to injure or kill anyone. That would be a lot to have on your conscience, whatever they'd done...
To find out more about Mad Dog’s ‘invisible barriers’ and Hattie’s adventures, you can check out Alexandra’s review of The Revenge of the Praying Mantis.
Great interview!! :-)
Posted by: Amber | 13 November 2009 at 02:24 PM
Superb interview. I loved it. I know what she means about "intellectually" knowing what she needs to do. But that doesn't always equate to what you actually do. It was also intersting to hear about her work as a director as well.
Posted by: Kate Pinn | 27 November 2009 at 04:31 PM