We caught up with BEX HOGAN to discuss her faery myth and folklore inspired novel, Nettle, the haunting, heart wrenching tale of a changeling called Nettle in a dark, foreboding faery kingdom.
What inspired your foray into writing?
I’ve always had stories growing away in my head – as a child, they were told mostly through games and play. It never occurred to me for the longest time that I could actually write them, because I didn’t believe writers were people like me. They were intellectual, not dreamy! But when I was in my twenties I found myself finally putting words on the page and realising how much I loved it. After that, I never looked back!
What sparked the idea for Nettle?
I was raised on Grimm’s faery tales and so it almost feels full circle for me to be writing my own. For a long time it was something I shied away from, because how could I possibly do justice to the genre I revered? With some encouragement from people I trust though, it seemed time to dip my toe in. Nettles are having somewhat of a revival at the moment, as people rediscover their incredible properties, and that, combined with their faery connections and my love of The Wild Swans by Hans Christian Andersen, meant that they seemed a good place to start, and the idea unfolded from there.
Can you tell us a bit about your character Nettle and what readers can expect from her journey in the book?
Nettle has had quite an isolated upbringing. Her peculiarities left her exposed to teasing and so she’s happier living alone with only her grandma and animals for company. She’s used to relying on herself and so when she finds herself in a strange realm, that resilience comes into its own. There are opportunities to forge new friendships and relationships and Nettle isn’t always entirely certain how to navigate them. She’s loyal to her core though and open to new experiences – including about herself.
What does the faery realm in your book look like? And what was involved in the world building process?
I really wanted to encapsulate the dual nature of the faery realm – the beauty that belies the danger. So I tried to create a world that was mesmerising on a surface level, familiar to a point but then tips to the peculiar and the wild. As I was drawing from some of the Cornish folklore I grew up with, I decided to reflect the landscape too. Where I grew up moorland was a stone’s throw from the sea and round the bend, a forest. It felt the perfect source to inspire the faery realm, because so often taking walks at home felt as though I had stumbled into a magical world.
What do you love about the fantasy genre?
There’s so much to love, both as a reader and writer of the genre. The chance to explore strange and new worlds, the abundance of magic, the thrill of new lores and different histories. As an author, it’s a joy to write without any of the inhibitions of reality. As a reader, it’s a delight to lose myself in an entirely other place. Above all things, it offers the chance to escape – something I welcome!
What was the most enjoyable part of writing this novel?
Having the opportunity to spend every day lost in the faery realms was a treat! I love every part of writing, from the initial daydreaming to the eventual editing. One thing I really enjoyed about this novel was doing the research into the process of turning nettles into cloth. It’s such a beautiful and old craft, and it’s wonderful to see it being rediscovered.
Which writers or books do you greatly admire?
Oh there are so many! I have particular admiration for any writers who find a way to sustain their career beyond a few books – and especially if they then have a break out title, such as V E Schwab, who had several books published before her hit trilogy. And then there are talented writers like Susanna Clarke, whose book Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell breathed fresh life into the faery genre. Every writer who is getting words on the page, whatever mountains they face, is an inspiration to me.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Raised on a healthy diet of fantasy and fairy tales, Bex Hogan has spent much of her life lost in daydreams. Initially she wanted to train as an actress, but quickly realised her heart belonged to storytelling rather than performing, and soon after started creating stories of her own. A Cornish girl at heart, Bex now resides in Cambridgeshire with her family.
0 Comments