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Davonna Juroe |
Me: Hi, Davonna! It's been almost two years since you visited with Writing
Belle. Re-introduce yourself to everyone!
Davonna: Hello, Summer! Thanks so much for having me
back. I can't believe it's been that long. A big hello to all your blog readers
out there!
I'm a YA and NA independent author who lives
in Seattle. I may or may not be a mermaid
wannabee, science nerd, unicorn activist, Masterpiece Theatre junkie, and a
cosplay admirer. ;)
Let's talk about Scarlette for a moment. What's the
story - and where did you get the inspiration for such a plot?
Scarlette is an historical paranormal retelling of "Little Red
Riding Hood" that is set during the 18th century Beast of Gévaudan attacks. I was inspired to write the novel
while sewing a cross-stitch pattern scene from "Little Red Riding
Hood."
While I was stitching, some questions came to my mind: "What if
Little Red Riding Hood had been a real person? What would she have been like
and where would she have lived?" Those "what if" questions were
enough to send me on a research quest to find out all I could about Ms. Hood.
There were two factors that jumped out at me during my investigation.
First, the fairy-tale had a lot of roots in French history. Second, one of the
earlier versions of "Little Red Riding Hood" featured a werewolf
instead of a wolf as the villain.
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"The Beast of Gevaudan" |
My aim was to rewrite the fairy-tale as if it really might have happened
in history. So I decided to use one of the most famous alleged werewolf attacks
in French history (the Beast of Gévaudan) to use as a backdrop of my novel. The
rest, as they say, is YA history.
You're an avid fan of the 1960s, which I'm guessing was a huge
inspiration for Seeing Red. Can you sum up the plot for readers and
explain how your love of the 60s found its way onto the page?
"Seeing
Red" is a NA that is set in Manhattan during the glamorous "Mad
Men" era. The story focuses on 22-year-old Bridget Jeane. After calling
off her engagement to her alcoholic fiancé, Bridget begins to question the idea
of matrimony. Until a Madison Avenue advertising executive asks her for a date.
During
a time when it was considered strange for a woman to have a career and not marry
young and start a family, Bridget quietly challenges these social norms. At its
heart, "Seeing Red" really is a tale of self-determination set on the
cusp of the women's rights movement. Bridget is a woman desperately trying to
navigate the labyrinth of sexism during a nostalgic era to many Americans.
My
love for the '60s found its way onto the page because of that period's fashion.
My mom graduated from high school in '61 and loved dresses. It's not uncommon
when I visit her that we will watch "Gidget" or other movies from the
'50s and '60s just to ogle the party dresses.
I
was excited when "Mad Men" came out because I heard the buzz
surrounding the show and that the fashion was to die for. Little did I know
that watching the series would become a huge source of inspiration for
"Seeing Red."
How did you become interested in writing?
I've been writing
stories for many years. Even back in first grade, when I was just learning to
write, there was a primitive story I wrote about a bear coming to visit
someone's house. I kept writing stories all throughout elementary school. Many tales
seemed to focus on princesses and mermaids. In sixth grade, one of my assignments
was to make a picture book and read it to the kindergarten children. I loved that
project and still have it. It may have well solidified my dreams.
I took many meandering
paths as a young adult while trying to figure out what I wanted to do
career-wise. Finally I listened to my heart, knowing that writing was my
calling, and ran with that.
You're not only a talented writer (you've got a strong, entertaining writing
voice!), but you've got a lot of other interests, too. Tell me about your
hobbies!
Why, thanks so much!
Oh my, hobbies… There are way too many. I actually just got into photography
not too long ago. I feel like I'm obsessively taking pictures and learning my
way around the camera everyday. I love cooking, especially making
allergy-friendly meals. Knitting too (I'm working on a pair of hot pink
legwarmers.).
I also can't seem to
get enough of English ghost stories lately. The Victorian and Edwardian writers
have treasure troves of tales. I'm a sucker for a hot cup of tea on a rainy
afternoon while reading scary tales by M.R. James, Charles Dickens, and Henry
James. Truly classic-cool.
I noticed that you love retro dresses. I adore the fashion of yesteryear
(excluding the nineties. My hair scrunchies and black stockings are long gone).
How does your sense of style and love of yesterday's culture permeate your
writing life?
Yes, I love vintage
fashion. There's a focus on style in "Seeing Red," for sure. I particularly
mention the dresses and outfits Bridget wears. In some aspects, yesteryear to
me is almost a kind of fantasy world because it's a place we can never really
visit in time. It's fun to romanticize about the past and what it was like,
which seems to be why all my projects have some type of historical element in
them.
Fun question: You visited the tale of Red Riding Hood in Scarlette. What
other fairytales do you think would make good "new" stories? (I love
the idea of a modern Cinderella or a twist on Rapunzel)!
"The Little
Mermaid," for sure! I may or may not have drawn up some notes on the tale.
Favorite writing snack?
I seem to go in
phases. Lately it seems like sea salt and vinegar potato chips are at my reach.
Other days, I love any type of gummy candies.
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Charles Darwin |
What does the future hold in store for you? Any upcoming projects?
Yes, my next project is a supernatural pop-science YA novel set
in the present day. It's about an 18-year-old son of an anthropologist who discovers
a set of long lost, unidentified fossils that belonged to Charles Darwin. He
and his father venture to South Africa to find the origin of the bones. But Father
and son are thrown in the middle of a deadly anthro-political cover-up and
targeted by an international relic hunting organization after uncovering the
fossils' true genetic source: an aquatic humanoid species -- mermaids.
Thank you so much for visiting today!! I can't wait to see what you come
up with next - you're career is so bright and promising!
Thanks
again for having me, Summer! And best of luck with the "Collapse" series!
Connect with Davonna:
Thanks again for having me, Summer! Was so much fun to answer your questions. Cheers!
ReplyDeleteMy pleasure!!! Thank you, too!! :)
DeleteGreat Interview, Summer. I loved the historical angle Davonna applied to Scarlette. She perfectly walks the line between fantasy and hard reality. I also love the way she creates strong female protagonists without sacrificing their femininity or become cliche.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for stopping by! :) I love that, too!
ReplyDelete