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on 2013-05-09 13:09:02 In To My Character, From a Disloyal Author - Candy Gourlay
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on 2013-05-09 11:44:38 In To My Character, From a Disloyal Author - Candy Gourlay
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on 2013-05-08 17:24:02 In To My Character, From a Disloyal Author - Candy Gourlay
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I never set out to write more than one Varjak Paw book. I started with the story of a kitten coming into his power, growing into a cat – and for me, that story ends at the end of Varjak Paw.
But writing it, I’d found all sorts of questions that I couldn’t answer in one book. Take Sally Bones, boss of the meanest gang of streets cats in town. Varjak had made a terrible enemy there; what was going to happen when he went back to the city? It was clear that I was going to have to write a sequel.
But I don’t usually like sequels. As a reader, there’s nothing I hate more than a sequel that lets me down, and so many of them do. There was no way I could let that happen with Varjak. I promised myself there would only be a sequel if it was as good as the first one, if not better. It needed to be a great book in its own right, with a story that could stand alone and take us somewhere new.
I didn’t think it would be all that hard; I already had characters, situations, places… how hard could it be? Well, it took me three years and 11 drafts, and I can honestly say it’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done! Here was my problem. In the first book, a powerless kitten becomes a powerful cat. That’s an interesting story. But a character with power is just not that interesting. He can fight his way out of any corner, so where’s the story?
I tried all kinds of things. I explored the city, and found whole new areas. I discovered some great new characters, like the Scratch Sisters, the Orrible Twins, and of course Buster and Bomballooloo, who I think have the best names in the book! But Varjak’s underlying story just wasn’t there. Nothing felt as exciting as what had happened in Varjak Paw.
Around draft eight, I remember feeling totally lost. I felt sure I’d never complete the book. I thought I was finished as a writer. The first book was just a lucky accident, but now the truth was clear: I would never write anything else again. I wanted to give up. These were very dark times indeed.
But somehow… those feelings gave me the key to the story. What if Varjak felt exactly like I did? What if he believed he’d lost his power? How would he survive without all the skills he’d learned in the first book? What would he fall back on then? The moment I had that thought, the book came to life. The story came into focus, sharp and clear. It didn’t take long from there to finish it.
The Outlaw Varjak Paw went on to win the Blue Peter Book Of The Year – one of the most amazing things that has happened to me. But the experience taught me a very big lesson. You should only write a book if you already have a story for it. Otherwise, you’ll get as lost and confused as I did. So to answer a question that I’m often asked: yes, there will be a third Varjak Paw book one day – but only when I know what the story is!
SF Said is the author of Varjak Paw (winner of the Nestlé Smarties Book Prize), and The Outlaw Varjak Paw (winner of the Blue Peter Book Of The Year). He has just completed a new novel for DFB, an epic space adventure called PHOENIX, which will be published in 2013. He lives and works in London, but you can read a CBBC Newsround interview with him here, and click here to read an extract from Varjak Paw.
Categories: Authors, Features, News, S F Said, Second books and sequels, Storyblog topic, author post, new storyblog
Thursday, September 6th, 2012
Huge sympathies, SF … Varjak Paw was a hard act to follow and well done for topping it with the Outlaw sequel! I know where you’re coming from!
Monday, October 15th, 2012
As a child, for me, this book has made a great impression , and so far I have not read it or anything that could be compared with her.
Tuesday, November 6th, 2012
Candy, thank you very much! It seems like I’m never going to find any book easy to write, but I think sequels are especially hard…
Tuesday, November 6th, 2012
Ilya, what a wonderful comment – thank you so much! That’s the kind of thing that makes all the hard work worthwhile!
Wednesday, November 7th, 2012
Thank you so much for your reply. I am honored that I said my favorite writer) I’m from Russia so I apologize for the poor knowledge of the English language.
Thursday, November 8th, 2012
I’m honoured to receive such a lovely comment from Russia – thank you for taking the time to write to me in English, I really appreciate it!
Monday, November 19th, 2012
I’m really enjoying The Outlaw; I loved Varjak Paw and I think you made a fantastic job with the sequel. I’m half way through, reading slowly to make it last longer.
Even though I suppose it’s aimed mostly at younger audiences, I completely forget about that when I read it; it has such a dark and misterious atmosphere sometimes, which I really enjoy, as well as the lighter themed moments.
I love drawing fanart, and I just finished a drawing on the twins Omar and Ozzie, two of my favourite characters. I thought you might want to see it, if you have the time. Here is the link to it:
http://wildshadowwarrior.deviantart.com/art/Outcats-338612895
Wednesday, November 21st, 2012
Kayla, thank you so much for your kind words, and thanks for the link! That’s a great picture of Ozzie & Omar! I had no idea there was so much Varjak Paw fan art out there…. it’s really amazing for an author to see such great work – please say thanks from me to everyone in that group!
Monday, December 10th, 2012
I posted a comment on our fan group at the website, explaining what you told me. Thank you for replying to me – it’s amazing to have an artist answer you like this – and I’m glad you liked my picture!
Friday, December 14th, 2012
You’re most welcome, Kayla! I’ve really enjoyed talking with fans here, so I’ve just started a new blog on my website, http://www.sfsaid.com – I’m hoping to post something new there most weeks, so check in occasionally and see what you find! I’d be grateful if you could pass the link on to your group, and to anyone else you know who might be interested in my books… Many thanks, hope to see you there soon!
Thursday, January 3rd, 2013
I will say, in all honesty, that varjak Paw is one of the most amazing books I have ever read. I can’t describe how much I love them. I’ve read both books more than once, and it still gives me shivers from the intense story-line. If you were to ever make another sequel of this amazing pair, I would most certainly read it without any hesitation, but as you said how long and hard it was to make the second book, I suppose I’ll just stick with the two already. Once again, I love Varjak paw and I can’t even describe how much I’ve loved reading these books. You are truly and amazing author!
Wednesday, April 3rd, 2013
Thank you so much for this lovely comment – I’ve only just seen it, but it’s totally made my evening! There will be a third Varjak Paw book one day, but in the meantime, I hope you’ll look out for my new book, PHOENIX, which is being published this August… there’s lots of info about it, as well as lots of background on the Varjak books, on my website!
Sunday, April 21st, 2013
I can’t wait until you publish the 3rd Varjak Paw , the first and second book have put me back in to reading!!! They’re exciting to read because your a great writer.
Finlay (age 8)
Sunday, April 21st, 2013
I’d like to congratulate you on your work, Mr Said. My son has recently discovered Varjak, and in doing so, has realised what reading for pleasure is! Needless to say, I am thrilled that he has finally discovered this gift and we will most certainly be following your work closely. Congratulations on your well-deserved awards!
Thursday, April 25th, 2013
Dear Finlay & Finlay’s Mum: thank you both so much for those amazing comments – I’m a big reader myself, so that’s really wonderful to hear! There will definitely be a third Varjak Paw book one day, but it won’t be for a while… In the meantime, please look out for my new book, PHOENIX, which will be published this August… there’s lots more info about it & about Varjak Paw on sfsaid.com!