Aimee Howarth brings you an interview with The Yorker directors on the final day of the advent articles
Aimee Howarth speaks to YUSU's sabbatical officers about their Christmas Day routine for day 17 of the advent calendar
For the final time this term, Vicky Morris updates you on this weeks film news
50 years after the publication of 'James and the Giant Peach', the works of Roald Dahl continue to celebrate success.
Runemarks, involving a universe of nine worlds based on Norse legend and a heroine called Maddy with magical powers, is Joanne Harris’ latest book, published in 2007. For the first time, she is writing for children, and yet in this process she gives little thought to her audience:
"It wasn’t a commercial venture at first, it was an experiment for my own pleasure and that of my daughter, and I didn’t really think about the marketing of it at all."
It was an experiment for my own pleasure and that of my daughter.
Joanne, it appears, is ambivalent towards what she calls ‘marketing people’, revealing that they don’t always see eye to eye. One thing of which she is certain, however, is the value of public celebrations of literature. In discussing the approaching York Literature Festival, she says:
"It’s very reassuring to somebody who works in the industry to see so many people so enthusiastic about books; in a world where we are constantly told about e-books, and online books, and the disappearance of printed books."
It seems that e-books are another object of ambivalence for Joanne. She describes the e-book as exciting, yet expensive and complicated; potentially a "tremendous idea", they are also potentially "riddled with disasters". Technological concerns aside, Joanne is fairly convinced that the idea will not catch on for one simple reason:
"So many people are resistant to it because they actually like the physical presence of books; I have never met a single one of my readers who likes e-books."
However, what many of Joanne’s readers are interested in are the secrets to her success as a writer. Unfortunately for the aspiring writer of fiction, the recipe for success is not so easy to share:
"It’s very difficult to give any kind of advice, because I think that if people are so motivated to write that they continue writing, it will not matter what advice I give them; they will persevere."
Of course, it is important to read a lot, because, as Joanne argues: "Many people throw themselves in to writing without reading much, and it shows."
However, there are many good writers out there who never get published; and Joanne concludes with some crucial pieces of advice: enjoy what you are doing, do not give up, and "brace yourself for rejection".
Joanne was one of those who was rewarded for her perseverance, as the success of Chocolat (1999) bears witness. However, she firmly believes that nobody really knows the secrets to fame:
"I have no idea why it made me so famous; I don’t think anybody does, because if they did have these ideas then they would all write bestsellers!"
She believes that after about ten years of what she calls ‘sparse writing’, people were ready for something more lavish and self-indulgent, something more like chocolate. Luckily, Chocolat was the right novel for the right time.
Lasse Hallström's film of Chocolat (Miramax, 2001) only added to the success of the novel, and Joanne confesses to being one of its admirers. Despite being "sweeter" then it would have been had Joanne occupied the Director’s chair, she is grateful for the affection and respect the film showed for the original. And, as for the cast, she has no regrets at all:
"I had some reservations about the scripting but they were very small compared to the cast – it’s the kind of cast that you can’t really argue with."
This is not surprising when you think about the star-studded cast, including Juliette Binoche, Judi Dench, and of course, Johnny Depp. Joanne, however, does not share the infatuation of many fans for the latter actor:
"I am probably the only woman in the western hemisphere who doesn’t fancy Johnny Depp! Although he is very sweet indeed, I have to say he’s not my type. I think he actually likes people who are not his type; he’s not entirely comfortable being this major heart-throb."
We move on to discuss another object of infatuation: chocolate. She is not so particular as her luxurious novel might suggest, saying: "I can eat almost any chocolate in an emergency.".
However, Joanne is more willing to share her views on what is a central theme in much of her work, food:
"Food is a metaphor that works on a number of levels because, for a start, it’s a universal human experience. There are not that many things that cross over into different cultures, times and places; but people’s experiences of food tend to be similar the world over.
It is useful when trying to convey French culture to someone who is living Japan, for example, where they don’t even really eat chocolate."
Given Joanne’s evident interest in different cultures and customs, The Yorker asked her where she would most like to be at this moment in time. Her answers are at first surprising, given that Joanne will do about ten foreign visits this year:
"I travel an awful lot, I’ve just come back from Croatia, and I’m very happy to be here! I see lots of different places – some of them wonderful – but I like to be home."
This love for the cosiness and comfort of home are reflected in her hobbies, none of which, apart from perhaps learning Old Norse as part of writing Runemarks, she would describe as "weird". In her spare time Joanne enjoys reading (well, that goes without saying), playing music, spending time with her family and watching television.
Finally, The Yorker is curious to know the secrets of the future: what will Joanne write next? However, this is another secret which she will keep safely hidden:
"I wouldn’t dream of telling you what I’m writing next. I don’t want my publishers to find out what I’m writing; they might give me a deadline! I’m lucky for them to tolerate this system, but you know what the hell are they going to do, sack me?"
However Joanne does hint at a sequel to Runemarks, and reveals that there will be "something else more mainstream", but gives no details as to what this might be. With only this vague promise of a future work, readers must sit and wait expectantly for the enjoyment of Joanne’s next secret recipe.
To visit Joanne Harris's official website click here.
Don't forget to check out the exciting events and writers that feature in the upcoming York Literature festival, which runs from 1st -15th March. The University will also play host to an event featuring Carol Ann Duffy on 6th March in the Jack Lyons Concert Hall.
You must log in to submit a comment.
