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Nelle Davy | Writing about a different country than the one in which you were raised.

Imagination has no boundaries – it is a vast landscape without maps or limitations. I know the old axiom is 'write what you know' but why should it be?

Why should female writers confine themselves to the domestic and the minutiae of life, while their male counterparts explore fresh new terrain? I decided when I started writing that I would do only one thing and that was write the kind of book I would read and I would not limit myself.

Of course it is difficult taking on the voice and culture of another country that is not your own but that is what a library and research is for. I spent a lot of time doing research about America and Iowa in particular (I read a lot of Bill Bryson who described what it was like to grow up in Iowa and I found his anecdotes – particularly his description of the state fair really invaluable). I was also lucky that I had an agent in America who could look over my first draft and say to me ‘an American would not say this or do this' about small things that I would never have thought over.

But these were small changes really, by that point I had already captured (or hope I have) the American voice. Mostly I found it really exciting to do something so challenging. I think that is the beauty of fiction, that you can escape – and I really did – to a different time and completely different place. The ironic thing is I have been to lots of places in America where I could have set the book (Pennsylvania for starters) but I chose a state I had never even seen. I guess I just like to be difficult.

Tell Nelle if you think it's possible to use imagination to explore other countries, two people will win a copy of THE LEGACY OF EDEN

About the Author

Nelle Davy was born in Grenada in 1984 and was raised in London within an Anglo-Caribbean family. She studied English with creative writing at the University of Warwick and then undertook a master of philosophy degree in creative writing at Trinity College Dublin. She currently lives in London with her husband, where she works in publishing. THE LEGACY OF EDEN is her first novel and she is currently working on her second.

 

 

Comments

19 comments posted.

Re: Nelle Davy | Writing about a different country than the one in which you were raised.

Oh Nelle, imagination is wonderful and no boundaries allowed. I had an imaginary friend who lived in my mother's
big vanity mirror. She was there for years, helping me through my younger years. I still can look at things and go beyond what one normally sees. Never loose that ability to imagine what lies in other areas. Your book sounds wonderful and I look forward to reading it.
(Rosemary Simm 4:14pm February 20, 2012)

I know the reason I read fiction is to escape into another world---why shouldn't the writer also have the same pleasure of escape.
(Sue Farrell 4:24pm February 20, 2012)

Of course it is! I do it frequently, and have done so all my life, even after I was able to travel to those countries I had been dreaming about and imagining for so long.

I know that my life would have been very dreary without that ability to imagine life in somewhere other than Madison, Wisconsin (much as I love my hometown!).

Later,

Lynn
(Lynn Rettig 4:40pm February 20, 2012)

I'm too grounded to reality but I'm thrilled to read the written word of those with unbounded imagination.
(Diana Corlett 4:49pm February 20, 2012)

I've traveled all over the world from the confines of my leather chair, all because I used my imagination. The author supplied the story my mind did the rest. So yes I most certainly believe that your imagination can take you places.
(Maude Allen 4:54pm February 20, 2012)

The imagination is a wonderful thing and having a good one is fantastic! Through all the books I have read,I have traveled around the world. Without the imagination in the fiction writing about traveling other countries then I think it would get pretty boring. Keep it up so I can enjoy my fiction, it's my get-a-way without leaving. Thanks
(Margie Gagarin 7:40pm February 20, 2012)

It's a good thing authors have imagination or we wouldn't have all those wonderful books to read.
(Wilma Frana 9:02pm February 20, 2012)

I believe that the imagination is a very powerful thing that can allow us to explore new places all over the world as well as learn and experience things from other times. The imagination also allows us to travel through other worlds or places that do not really exist.
(Chelsea Knestrick 9:15pm February 20, 2012)

There is no limit in space or time that an imagination cannot explore. It can be "real" or imaginary. I am always fascinated with fantasy or paranormal authors ability to come up with so many different worlds and ideas. If a mind can "see" it and you have the ability to write it then anything is possible.
Good luck and happy writing!
(Tracie Travis 9:33pm February 20, 2012)

imagination is the best ,it helps you get through bad and lonely times!!
(Jennifer Beck 10:12pm February 20, 2012)

I believe that it's possible to write about anyplace your heart desires. Between places that are shown in movies, books written, pieces written on the internet, and bits of the imagination, anything is possible. The sky is the limit!! If you feel passionate enough about a subject, there is nothing that can stop you from finding information about a place without actually setting foot there, and it would make a reader think that you've actually visited there. Other authors who have written historical romance never vistited places going back to the 1800's, so without actually telling the reader otherwise, I think an author could pull it off. I give you a lot of credit for such an undertaking, considering your background, and I applaud you for it. I am anxious to read your book.
(Peggy Roberson 10:28pm February 20, 2012)

Definitely. My grandmother took a "vacation" one week and never left her bedroom but to get food and go to the bathroom. She visited many countries while reading her books.
(Molly Wilsbacher 11:05pm February 20, 2012)

Yes I think it is possible. Thanks for the chance to win!
(Natasha Donohoo 12:51pm February 21, 2012)

Imagination is the key to writing. To visualize
and put down in words for others to have a
similar experience is a wonderful gift. I think its
entirely possible to write of a place one has
never been. With the internet, books, resources
one can stay true to the basics and run from
there. I personally have been around the world
in my head and seen and walked streets stopped
in shops. Imagination a wonderous gift.
(Carla Carlson 10:45am February 21, 2012)

I believer in imagination. I won't watch movies made from books I read. I prefer
to imagine the characters and places in my own way. Imagination is a living
thing. I see more and more children who play computer games to the expense
of their imagination. Let us do all we can to preserve imagination at it's best.
(Sandra Spilecki 11:02am February 21, 2012)

To hold in my hand a book that has the ability to take me to many places is a wonder. Retirement has lived up to all I imagined it to be as I love to read!
(Jane Cavanaugh 2:31pm February 21, 2012)

You can use your imagination in conjunction with information.
(Mary Preston 9:27pm February 21, 2012)

Imagination gives us wonderful and great ideas to explore or invent with endless possibilities, and gives authors the means to write great books. It's possible to write about places never visited anywhere.
My ex-husband was born and spent his childhood in Iowa. He told me how he walked home from school, down the country roads, past rows of cornfields, and always stopped daily at the BANGO Popcorn factory. They would give the kids huge brown paper bags full of all their test popcorn free. He loved popcorn and looked forward to munching all the way home, and claims it never spoiled his supper.
I love your book cover art, it's beautiful!
(Linda Luinstra 7:24pm February 22, 2012)

Imagination gives us the opportunity to broaden horizons and learn something new to us that's different than our usual world.
(Alyson Widen 5:21pm February 25, 2012)

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