SBBT Interview: Mary Hooper

Mary Hooper is the author of many children's and young adult books, including the soon-to-be-released Newes of the Dead. Of her books that I've read, my favorites are At the Sign of the Sugared Plum and its sequel Petals in the Ashes. You can visit Mary and learn more about her and her extensive bibliography at her website. I don't read a whole lot of historical fiction, but Mary's books are so vivid and beautiful that they are very worth reading!

You've written both historical and contemporary fiction. Which do you prefer writing? Which do you find easier?

Now that I’ve begun to write historical books I love doing them and don’t intend to go back to writing contemporary stuff. I wish I’d started ages ago but I used to think that as I wasn’t a historian I’d find it too difficult. Once you’ve sorted out your characters, though, and done all your research, it’s pretty much plain sailing. The thing that helps is the restrictions: when you’re dealing with real-life people or real-life happenings (as with Anne Green in NEWES FROM THE DEAD, or the Great Plague in AT THE SIGN OF THE SUGARED PLUM) you’re controlled by the truth. This, for me, makes it easier to write than purely imaginative, contemporary stuff, which could go in any direction and is thus more difficult to control.

Most of your historical fiction takes place in the late 1600's. What is it about this time period that intrigues you?

The very rumbustiousness of it all. The fact that Charles II had thirteen illegitimate children whom he recognised with titles (so that‘s where all those Sirs, Lords and Ladies come from) the fact that several major points of British history happened in his era (execution of Charles I, the Restoration, the Great Plague and the Great Fire of London). And then we’ve got Pepys Diary, women being allowed to act on stage, Nell Gwyn, Claude Duval, all the fantastical sights at Batholomew Fair…I could go on. Of course, it was only fun for the rich. I wouldn’t have wanted to be poor.

Did you like reading historical fiction when you were a teenager? What are/were some of your favorites?

As a matter of fact, I preferred reading fantasy then, though don’t touch it now. Historical stuff: well, when I was at school, FOREVER AMBER (Kathleen Winsor) did the rounds and everyone read that and absolutely loved it. It was considered somewhat racy at the time, though I re-read it recently and didn’t find it even slightly rude. I also loved Anya Seton’s GREEN DARKNESS and the wonderful THE SUNNE IN SPLENDOUR by Sharon Penman.

When did you first decide you wanted to be a writer?

I kind of drifted into it. I was a stay-at-home mum with two small children looking for something interesting to do, and I started off by writing a short story. I sent it to a magazine, sold it, they asked for more and I thought: this is great; here I am, a writer. I went on to do lots of short stories (they’re a good way to start) and then did a magazine serial, and then a book. I’m now up to about seventy titles (though when people scream in disbelief, I add that some of them were picture books and very short!)

Which authors have inspired you the most?

Difficult to say, because I’ve written in a variety of genres. I read constantly as a child, however, mostly Enid Blyton, so she must take some credit. The other writer I’m indebted to is Richmal Crompton, who wrote all the wonderful and funny JUST WILLIAM books.

What's your favorite thing about being a writer?

When you’re writing historical fiction you can absolutely lose yourself in another world; it’s the nearest you’ll come to being in a time machine. It’s also good to be your own boss and not to have to commute to work. Writing is the only job where you can sit in the garden reading a magazine and call it research.

Thank you very much, Mary, for your time and answers!

And the Summer Blog Blast Tour continues with interviews at the following sites:

Elisha Cooper at Chasing Ray
Dar Williams at Fuse #8
Jennifer Bradbury at Bildungsroman
E. Lockhart at The YA YA YAs
Charles R. Smith at Writing and Ruminating
Mary Pearson at A Chair, A Fireplace and a Tea Cozy