Q&A with Patrick Carman
Q: Describe the creative process you went through in writing The Land of Elyon series
A: It was a journey. Getting to the point where I was ready to write a book has been about a 20-year journey of being. Honestly, too afraid to try-which I think is pretty common for people who are trying to write a large piece of fiction.
Q: When did you start thinking about writing a book?
A: I remember all the way back in high school thinking about writing books. And in fact, I have written a lot of stories. I have dozens of stories I've written that no one's ever seen.
Q: Did you ever take writing courses?
A: I took English courses in college, but I don't have an English degree. I have a degree in economics. But, for me, I think it was more about the creative process. I've always been somebody who wanted to be involved in creative things and felt like that was my passion. And so I was really involved in filmmaking and film studies when I was in college, and put on a big film series at Willamette University for a couple of years and was just really into that whole scene.
Q: Is that why you got into advertising, because you could be creative?
A: For the nine years I spent owning my own agency, I think I tried to fulfill that desire. I mean, I actually did a lot of the design, but I never felt like I was really doing more than looking at what everybody else was doing and just kind of doing the same thing. So I was just spitting out work and running the business, but I felt frustrated in terms of the creative process. And I think it was the same thing with the board games I designed, in a sense.
What got me into writing was I finally came to the conclusion that I can't really draw. I really am just an okay designer. I can't paint or sculpt. No matter how hard I try, there's no way I'm ever going to be very good at those things. And with writing, it was like from the very beginning--when I started thinking, okay, I can do this-it just felt like this is perfect. I can totally do this. It feels very natural. It's a great creative outlet and I just love doing it. And so I think that for me part of that journey was just coming to a place of understanding about the creative process. For each person it's different, but for me writing feels very natural. So, anyway, that's kind of the journey I went through.
Q: Have you and your wife always had a ritual of reading to your daughters every night?
A: Yes, we're pretty into books around my house. We have lots and lots of books around. We have TV, but really no one ever watches it.
Q: How did The Land of Elyon series evolve?
A: It started out where Karen and I decided she'd get out of the house one night a week and I'd just hang out with the kids. And I came up with this idea of a girl who's in this town surrounded by walls and she has to figure out a way to sort of crawl under It, and she'd go out and have these little adventures. And more than anything that was the spark that kind of got it started.
I had been working on all these different stories. It was like, okay, I'm ready to write a book. And for whatever reason, this just sort of emerged as I started keeping a journal as I was weaving the story for the girls each week. I spent about six months with this journal, working out the rest of the characters and the plot. And it just developed from there.
Q: What motivated you to start the journal?
A: As I tell students at the schools where I speak, if you have an idea for a story, start making little pictures about it and writing little notes about the characters and where they are and all this kind of stuff and pretty soon it'll evolve into something interesting. And so this journal that I had started out as asking myself what does this place look like? So I was drawing all these crazy little maps and things. And then, I asked other questions like: who were some of the characters and what might happen in this story? And so a good deal of the work was kind of done before I even started. I spent all this time doing all this research and all this writing on little notes to myself in this journal. And then, of course, once you start writing, everything changes.
Q: Because you originally self-published the first Elyon book, you had the task of finding an illustrator and book designer. How did you find them?
A: I actually went through all the books on my bookshelf and picked the one I like the best, which was The Thousand Balloons. And it had this awesome illustration by Brad Wienman. His name was in the back of it and I looked him up and called him.
Q: How did you get his information?
A: I put his name in on Google and it came right up, because he's so well known. You know, honestly, I didn't think I'd be able to afford him. I was like, well, this is going to be way out of my league. But he did all three books.
Q: The Land of Elyon originally was intended to be a trilogy. Why did you decide to revisit the series and create the prequel, Into the Mist?
A: I had always wanted to tell a story about Thomas and Roland Warvold-the two adventurous brothers from the Land of Elyon-when they were Alexa's age, and I loved the idea of peeling back the curtain on an earlier, more magical time in the overall story. Plus, I adore my readers, and I've gotten countless e-mails asking me to please keep writing tales from the Land of Elyon. I decided on a prequel told as a story to Alexa because it allowed me to craft a big, new journey without leaving familiar characters entirely out of the picture. Into the Mist is action packed and filled with extraordinary new places I think readers will really enjoy finding out about.
Q: What's next?
A: The final-and I mean it this time-final installment in Alexa's story within the Land of Elyon. Readers familiar with the Land of Elyon know that Alexa has sailed away to places unknown at the end of the trilogy. When you finish Into the Mist you'll know where Alexa is going. The last book describes Alexa's adventure in this unexpected, strange new land. I should probably mention that Alexa's adventures will be over, but that doesn't mean I wouldn't love to do more exploring in the Land of Elyon-it's a hard place to leave behind and I love writing stories that take place there. Other projects I'm working on include my science fiction trilogy Atherton and my beginning reader's series Elliot's Park (spring 2008), in which all the characters are squirrels.
Contributor: Scholastic, Inc.
For further information about Patrick Carman and the Land of Elyon, click here.
Reviews
Atherton: House of Power
Patrick Carman
Edgar knows that in his world of Atherton, the Highlands above are forbidden and the Flatlands below are a wasteland. Yet he repeatedly climbs the walls between Tabletop and the Highlands. People think that he does it to annoy his employer, Mr. Ratikan, who controls access to water on Tabletop as it flows from above. Edgar, however, seeks a treasure in the rocky cliff wall. When mysterious earthquakes transform the landscape around his home and bring him closer to the Highlands, Edgar finds what he has been searching for. With this discovery comes a new friend, pasty bibliophile Samuel, as well as new enemies. Scheming Highlanders Lord Phineus and Sir Emerik will stop at nothing to maintain the hierarchy between the levels and keep the truth about the earthquakes hidden. As Edgar's world continues to change, he learns the frightening history of Atherton's existence. This first of three novels provides a compelling read for science fiction/fantasy aficionados and those who know the author's previous series, Land of Elyon. The novel's short, abruptly ending sections will keep many a reader up nights for "just one more chapter." Drawings interspersed throughout the text document the multilayered world, and appendixes illuminate its mysterious history. The publishers plan an interactive experience for the reader between the book and its tie-in Web site including audio/video clips. Carman includes frequent quotations from Shelley's Frankenstein; expect increased circulation of this classic as readers become engrossed in Carman's new saga. VOYA CODES: 4Q 4P M J (Better than most, marred only by occasional lapses; Broad general YA appeal; Middle School, defined as grades 6 to 8; Junior High, defined as grades 7 to 9). 2007, Little Brown, 352p.; Illus. Appendix., $16.99. Ages 11 to 15.Reviewer: Angelica Delgado (VOYA, April 2007 (Vol. 30, No. 1)).
Best Books:
Core Collection: Social Class in Youth Fiction, 2007; Booklist; United States
ISBN: 978-0-316-16670-6
Atherton: The House of Power
Patrick Carman
Read by Jonathan Davis
Edgar lives in the desolate Tabletop, a place overshadowed by the mysterious Highlands. No one from Tabletop has ever been to the Highlands until Edgar successfully climbs up and finds a world opposite to his. He soon finds out the two worlds are, catastrophically, merging. Listening to this tale is a fully rounded experience. Carman's novel is engaging, and Jonathan Davis's narration is masterful. His cadence is a delight, and he moves gracefully from the stentorian tones of the rulers of the Highlands to the boyishness of Edgar to the resonant voice of the omniscient narrator. Dramatic points in the story are further enhanced by a sweeping musical score. Finally, bonus material includes illustrations from the book, studio photos, and more. M.R.P. (c) AudioFile 2007, Portland, Maine 2007, Hachette Audio, Seven CDs, $29.98. Ages 10 up. Reviewer: Morgan Pershing (Audiofile, October/November 2007).
ISBN: 978-1-59483-966-5
Beyond the Valley of Thorns
Patrick Carman
In the second volume of The Land of Elyon series, thirteen-year-old Alexa Daley returns to Bridewell, scene of her previous adventure. With the walls around the road down, the forest seems at once more free and less protected, and even though Ganesh, her former nemesis, is gone, Alexa has the haunting feeling that all is not well. It really comes as no surprise when she hears knocking from behind the secret door in the library and finds herself again on the road with Yipes, the dwarf, his friend John Christopher, a wolf named Odessa, Murphy the squirrel, and Squire the hawk. What does surprise her is the nature of her quest: She must take the last Jocasta, a magical stone, and free the land of Castalia from evil Victor Grindall and his ogres. In the process, she loses friends, makes new ones, is reunited with loved ones she thought dead, and discovers that her tasks have just begun. Compared to The Dark Hills Divide (Orchard, 2005/VOYA April 2005), this volume seems a bit static. Even though the action is unrelenting, less time is taken with characterization. Few fantasy books would benefit from greater length, but this one could use a slightly more leisurely pace and a little more depth. Regardless it is still creditable fantasy for the elementary and middle school crowd, and readers of the first volume will snap it up and eagerly await the promised third volume. VOYA CODES: 3Q 4P M (Readable without serious defects; Broad general YA appeal; Middle School, defined as grades 6 to 8). 2005, Orchard, 240p., $11.99. Ages 11 to 14. Reviewer: Ann Welton (VOYA, December 2005 (Vol. 28, No. 5)).
State and Provincial Reading Lists:
Colorado Children's Book Award, 2007; Nominee; Junior Book; Colorado
Lamplighter Award, 2007-2008; Nominee; Grades 6-8; United States
ISBN: 0-439-79640-7
ISBN: 0-439-70094-9
The Dark Hills Divide
Patrick Carman
Alexa, who is short and skinny with knobby knees, is well-endowed with intelligence and bravery. Those qualities, combined with her infinite curiosity, lead her into danger, but may not be enough to keep her safe. She lives in a walled world. Not only do the towns have high walls that obscure views of the world beyond, even the roadways connecting towns are walled. Walls make many residents feel safe and content, but Alexa is driven to discover what is beyond. She faces seemingly insurmountable challenges as she follows clues to explore outside the boundaries. Her perilous quest leads her through dark passages where she meets unusual allies and learns to talk to the animals who guide her. Then she uncovers an imminent danger that threatens her whole world. She learns a traitor lurks within her close community, so does not know who she can trust to help her save her homeland. This first book in the "Land of Elyon" series has a satisfying conclusion with enough threads remaining loose that the reader will look forward to future installments. 2005, Orchard Books, $11.95. Ages 8 to 13. Reviewer: Janet Crane Barley (Children's Literature).
Best Books:
Children's Catalog, Nineteenth Edition, 2006; H.W. Wilson; United States
Publishers Weekly Book Review Stars, February 21, 2005; Cahners; United States
Awards, Honors, Prizes:
Cochecho Readers' Award Winner 2005-2006 Dover, New Hampshire
Lamplighter Award Nominee 2006-2007 Grades 6-8 United States
Lamplighter Award Winner 2007 Grades 6-8 United States
State and Provincial Reading Lists:
Black-Eyed Susan Book Award, 2006-2007; Book List; Grades 4-6; Maryland
Cochecho Readers' Award, 2005-2006; Nominee; Dover, New Hampshire
Colorado Children's Book Award, 2006; Nominee; Colorado
Great Stone Face Award, 2006-2007; Nominee; New Hampshire
Indian Paintbrush Book Award, 2005-2006; Nominee; Wyoming
ISBN: 0-439-70093-0
ISBN: 0-439-75843-2
Into the Mist
Patrick Carman
Alexa Daley and Yipes from the "Land of Elyon" series, are traveling aboard the ship, Warwick Beacon, captained by Roland Warvold. While out on the Lonely Sea sailing to Five Stone Pillars, Roland reveals in flashbacks the story about his older brother and himself. The two young brothers, Thomas and Roland, were sent to live at Madam Vicker's House on the Hill, an institution for homeless children. The ruthless Madam Vickers with the help of her son and snarling watch dogs kept a close eye on all the youngsters who were forced to dig for "treasure" in the hill of garbage. Roland and Thomas planned an escape from the House on the Hill with hopes of discovering the meaning of the circle and square symbol, along with a cryptic message which was found during the digging. Although the brothers left the miserable conditions, they faced unknown dangers in a world where they had no choice but to place their trust in a talking mountain lion in order to find the Western Kingdom. Roland's story draws to a close once the ship approaches the Five Stone Pillars, marking the start of a new adventure to be continued in a sequel. 2007, Scholastic Press/Scholastic Inc, $11.99. Ages 8 to 12. Reviewer: Carrie Hane Hung (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-0-439-89952-9
The Tenth City
Patrick Carman
In this final volume of the Land of Elyon series, the evil overlord Grindall and his band of ogres have kidnapped Alexa's miniature friend, Yipes. Now Alexa is traveling over the seas with her crew of animals, giants, and human companions to help save him. She makes some big decisions, encounters some wild creatures, and must defend Grindall and the supermaster, the fallen Abaddon. As she continues her travels, she gets a glimpse of the Tenth City where the great creator Elyon is. This story is difficult to understand without reading the previous books in the series. (Land of Elyon Book). Fiction. Grades 3-6. 2006, Orchard Books, 186p., $11.99. Ages 8 to 12. Reviewer: Janie Barron (The Lorgnette-Heart of Texas Reviews (Vol. 19, No. 3)).
ISBN: 978-0-439-70095-5
Added 12/21/07
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