BLOG TOUR (14) ROSIE BLACK CHRONICLES

THEROSIE
BLACK CHRONICLES: GENESIS

 by Lara Morgan

Walker Books Australia
October 2010

The Book Trailer
I



Reflections on Rosie’s past and future
Preamble:
When I chose this topic ‘Reflections on Rosie’s past and future, Lara said: “An interesting topic you've put down. Just wondering when you say Rosie's past/future are you hoping for me to talk about the character herself or the creation of the book? I'm not quite clear on it.”


That’s when I realised how ambiguous my initial statement had been. Of course, it could be either or both, though my initial idea concerned Rosie herself. But then, I had not yet read the book.


In the back of my mind questions tickled. There was a curiosity about Rosie’s awareness of the past 500 years. Had she looked back in history and pondered on the issues that had brought the world into its current mess?
[In 2010 there were a growing number of people concerned with the possible effects of climate change and dire warnings of the things that might happen unless appropriate and urgent action was taken.]


Is Rosie seeing the results of 500 years of the failures of the past - seeing what those who understood the issues in 2010 hoped would not happen? There are hints. She alludes to … Before the Melt? … The wall that’s been there hundreds of years … the old city — and a Newperth, geothermal powered
Then there’s the cost of water (already a 2010 reality) and the appearance of ‘the feral’.


After reading the book
At one level The Rosie Black Chronicles: Genesis is a rollicking ‘cloak and dagger’ mystery/adventure tale with a touch of teenage romance and angst. Beneath there bubbles dark undercurrents of interacting and multiplying effects generated by the realities of climate change, population shifts, social engineering; and the dehumanising processes where science and technology have become ‘god’ and at the mercy of political intrigue.  And I loved the ambiguity of Rosie (all things rosy) and black!


Let me introduce Lara:
Lara is a Western Australia writer living in Geraldton. The Rosie Black Chronicles: Genesis is the first in a series of Rosie Black stories and Lara's first YA novel. You can find out more about her on her blog at http://www.lara-morgan.com/


Welcome Lara! Now I have some questions for you.


M: Rosie Black’s world is one of social isolation, community fragmentation, increasing state/external pressures leading to the loss of personal power, heightened anxiety and increasing violence. A disturbing glimpse of where the world of 2010 is headed unless …? Yet how different is the world of Rosie Black to our own?
Lara: I’d say Rosie’s world is an extreme version of our own – and I’m talking about Western Society here – especially if you have a look at how the government has been slowly increasing its involvement in our day to day lives. We live in a society that is becoming increasingly violent regulated under the guise of ‘public safety’ but which I see as having the potential to become something much more. Police powers are growing and there are more and more rules about what you can and cannot do in public, from wearing bike helmets to curfews and a push to have people to be on the lookout for ‘suspicious’ activity in their neighbours, it’s all elements that can lead to a society like Rosie’s where the government has ultimate power over you and there is little to no room for dissent.

M: Is this a cautionary tale in the tradition of earlier tales? (For example George Orwell’s Animal Farm)
Lara: It is in some ways but I try not to be too heavy handed about it. I think it is more a cautionary tale in terms of environmental impact than social. I am very concerned with climate change and our apparent lack of ability to pull together and do something about it. I’d like to be hopeful but given the way we are going it is difficult.

M: Which came first the character or the plot?(i.e. an independent smart girl in 2600 who needed a challenge OR a world in crisis in need of a character to lead the way?)
Lara: Well I would say that for me the story always starts with the character first and the plot is driven by who that is and their circumstance. So character definitely came before plot but before both of those I started out wanting to write about Earth post climate change. That is unusual for me. Generally character comes before the world building but this time it was different in that I started off wanting to write a story set in the Earth’s future. I didn’t know what the story was but I knew it was going to be a young adult novel.


M: To what extent does the book do more than paint a landscape of the worst fears of today’s environmentalists?
Lara: Well I hope it offers an exciting adventure story as well. At the heart of it, this is a story about growing up and figuring out who you are and what you want to do, because regardless of the environmental and social background of anything I write what I’m really interested in is people. I like to explore how characters deal with terrible circumstance, how they overcome and move on – if they do – and what they learn. It’s always all about the character and their journey and in this case that’s Rosie.
... The character of Rosie followed very quickly. I’d written a short story a while back had a character in it that was very similar to Aunt Essie and set in a world very similar to the world I’d been thinking of for The Chronicles. So then Rosie just sort of appeared, which often happens for me, and I started discovering who she was and then from there what her story was going to be. 


M: As the story develops in what ways does the reader see Rosie herself change and grow as a person?
Lara: Genesis is the start of Rosie discovering a greater sense of purpose than what she has before Helios and Pip come into her life. It’s a trial by fire really as she has to face some scary situations and learn to trust her ability to get through it, but also to trust others as well – which is not something which comes easily to her. 

M: The story ends on a note of unfinished business. Where to now for Rosie Black? Has Pip really gone forever (or would that be telling)?
Lara: Genesis is the start of Rosie discovering a greater sense of purpose than what she has before Helios and Pip come into her life. It’s a trial by fire really as she has to face some scary situations and learn to trust her ability to get through it, but also to trust others as well – which is not something which comes easily to her.

M: Thank you, Lara, for visiting my blog today and sharing more insights into the life of Rosie Black from Genesis - and beyond!
Lara: I've enjoyed looking at the story from different angles, Mabel - and having the opportunity to visit your blog.


For more about The Rosie Black Chronicles and the Book Trailer go to  http://www.rosieblack.com/

NOW TO A GIVEAWAY
The first three YA readers (of any age) to add a comment to this post and includes an email address so I can contact them will receive a copy of 'The Rosie Black Chronicles' courtesy of the publisher, Walker Books Australia. Others will be eligible to receive a bookmark.

Follow the blog tour below: 
Oct 11 Who is Rosie Black?
http://content.boomerangbooks.com.au/kids-book-capers-blog

Oct 12 Writing tips on creating a futuristic world.
Tuesday Writing Tips http://deescribewriting.wordpress.com/

Oct 13 The Publishing Process
http://www.kids-book-review.blogspot.com/

Oct 14 Writing YA.
http://ripping-ozzie-reads.com/

Writing a Fantasy Series
http://www.sandyfussell.blogspot.com/

Oct 15 Interview
http://www.weloveya.wordpress.com/

Oct 16 Interview
http://bookgryffin.globalteacher.org.au/

Oct 17 Writing sci fi
www.rhiannon-hart.blogspot.com

Oct 18 Heroines in YA
http://www.yareads.com/

Oct 19 The Boy in this story; creating male characters in heroine driven YA.
http://www.thephantomparagrapher.blogspot.com/

Rosie Black’s past and future
http://belka37.blogspot.com/  [You are here!]

Oct 20 Interview
http://sallymurphy.blogspot.com/

BLOG TOUR (6) SAMURAI KIDS: MONKEY FIST

Samurai Kids: Monkey Fist

by Sandy Fussell

Illustrated by Rhian Nest James

Published by Walker Books Australia

ISBN: 9781921150913
Release date: 1 August 2009

Background:
Although Monkey Fist is a stand-alone story it is also Sandy Fussell's fourth book in the Series.

In Samurai Kids, Sensei Ki-Yaga, a Samurai Warrior from old Japan collects students that no other Samurai master is willing to train and sets up his Cockroach Ryu Training School. On their own, each student may struggle but together, they discover they are strong. Already they have proved themselves strong enough to win the annual Samurai Training Games and beat the Dragon Ryu who made fun of them. They have developed the ninja skills needed to enter the castle of the Emperor and avert war between the mountain ryus. They have travelled across China to aid the shaolin monks of the White Tiger Temple. In Monkey Fist, they race to the Forbidden City to rescue Kyoko from the evil Secretary of Rites, Lu Zeng.

In preparing questions about the cultural setting and background to Samurai Kids: Monkey Fist, I picked up two the earlier books in the series - White Crane and Owl Ninja hoping to taste something of the flavour of the series and learn about the characters. I found myself immersed in layer upon layer of Japanese culture, mysticism and folklore. The stories read like an enlarged Haiku offering so much more than the words themselves.

I am so delighted that Sandy Fussell can join me today for her blog tour.

Welcome Sandy!

1. As I read your Samurai books I am struck by the underlays of Japanese culture, folklore, mysticism waiting to be uncovered. How did this relationship come about?

I did a project on Japan when I was nine. I thought it was the most beautiful, magical place. And I still do. I’ve never been there and some of my friends say I wrote Samurai Kids in the hope of one day going on a research trip! Oh, I wish. From Japan the Kids travel to China, where Monkey Fist is set. I have been to China but only barely. I did a day trip from Hong Kong which saw the group venture just far enough inside the border to need a visa. China is on my wish list too. I would love to see the Forbidden City where much of the action of Monkey Fist takes place. Later titles will see the Samurai Kids journey into Korea, the Kingdom of Joseon. The culture and history of north-east Asia fascinates me.

2. I am most intrigued by the relationship between the names of the Cockroach Ryu members and their totems. Tell me about them.

To me, the children’s spirit guides were a natural extension of the fact that these were children with special abilities. They draw strength from ‘their spirit’. Niya’s spirit is the White Crane because like him, it stands one-legged, perfectly still and balanced. Like the White Crane, Niya has excellent eyesight and dreams of flying high. Blind Taji’s spirit is the Golden Bat and like the bat he can see life clearly despite the darkness he lives in.

What I didn’t anticipate was how children would love this feature. In truth, I was a little wary as this is the one aspect which does not have a firm footing in Japanese history or culture. It belongs to Sensei’s wisdom and the children’s sense of identity. Now kids often approach me brandishing imaginary swords, saying: “I’m Mikko and my spirit is the Striped Gecko.” 

3. Tell me more about the Samurai - Ninja relationship.

The samurai and the ninja were traditional enemies so it was only natural that eventually the Kids would come in contact with ninja. Plus my youngest son insisted on it. After I read the original manuscript to him he asked: “Where are the ninja?” I was trying to think of a clever-parent answer when he said: “I know, they’re in Book 2”. So when Walker Books later asked me if I had any ideas for a sequel – ninja immediately came to mind. The other thing that fascinated me about the samurai-ninja relationship was the irony - while the proud noble samurai despised the sneaky, deceitful ninja, when he wanted someone assassinated in the middle of the night, he employed a ninja!

4. Can you describe something of the significance of Zen and Tao in the Samurai Kids generally but particularly with reference to Monkey Fist.

The samurai practised Zazen meditation; they believed it was as important to care for the mind and the body. There are many things about Zen which fascinate me. I love the simplicity of its wisdom – that nothing could be the ultimate answer. Zen is everything and Zen is nothing. This is intrinsic to the humour of Samurai Kids where as a Zen Master, Sensei is a Master of NOTHING and the kids spend a lot of time learning about NOTHING. Zen koans are heaps of fun. Like: What is the sound of one hand clapping? Kids are very Zen and have immediate answers. We adults are the one who think too much!


The Tao way was one of going with the flow and of being one with nature. It too was a popular thought in Japan and China in the mid seventeenth century. Sensei’s teachings are mainly based on Zen with a Tao influence. In Samurai Kids the focus is not on the religious ideology but the positive values of these beliefs and their historical context.


5. What part do the almost casual references to Japanese folkloric icons such as Tanuki, fox, shape shifters etc play in the overall telling of the story.

The samurai and people of seventeenth century Japan believed in creatures like the Tanuki. They believed the fox, or Kitsune, was a shapeshifter. They believed in monsters and ghosts. The people of isolated mountain areas were as superstitious as the members of the Imperial Court. What we now call folktales were accepted parts of the samurai kids cultural world. These elements add a historical perspective and an exotic flavour to the storytelling. What kid doesn’t love a good fairytale or ghost story?

6. Sensei is also known as Ki-Yaga. Why? Is a subtle connection to the Russian Baba Yaga intended here or is the name similarity co-incidental?

I don’t exactly know where the name came from. I made it up and it sounded right. In retrospect, not choosing authentic Japanese names is my greatest regret and a mistake I will never repeat. But my initial feedback was no reader would remember seven Japanese names. I have since found that only applies to adults!!! Kids could have easily remembered twenty!!!


Ki-Yaga’s name was originally Ki-Yoda but some felt it was too similar to Jedi Master Yoda (A wise teacher is a wise teacher in any galaxy and yes, I am a Star Wars fan!). Kids often ask me where Ki-Yaga gets his sayings from and I tell them about the one I found in a fortune cookie “Never use a hatchet to remove a fly from the face of a friend.” But when my eldest son read White Crane he said: “It’s you. Sensei talks just like you do.” Hmm….

7. I found the term ‘Monkey Fist’ used to describe a nautical type of knot. How does the term apply to the Samurai?

Monkey Fist has a triple meaning in the book. It is a nautical knot which Kyoko learns when the kids first travel to China by boat. With her six fingers on each hand Kyoko is adept at tying knots. In Imperial China, where a knot is a symbol of longevity, Kyoko’s skill is coveted by the evil Lu-Zeng who kidnaps her. Monkey Fist is also a shaolin fighting skill, one of the Monkey Moves where the fighter imitates the stance of a monkey and uses agility to advantage. When Lu-Zeng forces Kyoko to fight for him, she must rely on her Monkey fighting skills. Which is only natural, as her spirit guide is the rare Japanese macaque or Snow Monkey.

Thank you Sandy. I've enjoyed your visit immensely as I hope have our visitors to this site. To learn more about the Samurai Kids, I hope you will all check in at the other stops on Sandy's blog tour as listed below.

Tour Schedule:

1 Aug  Dee White  http://tips4youngwriters.wordpress.com/
2 Aug  Dale Harcombe  http://www.livejournal.com/users/orangedale
3 Aug  Claire Saxby  http://www.letshavewords.blogspot.com/
4 Aug  Sally Odgrs  http://spinningpearls.blogspot.com/
5 Aug  Mabel Kaplan http://belka37.blogspot.com/ [That's right here]
6 Aug  Sally Murphy http://sallymurphy.blogspot.com/
7 Aug  Robyn Opie http://www.robynopie.blogspot.com/
8 Aug  Rebecca Newman  http://www.soupblog.wordpress.com/
9 Aug  Susan Stephenson  http://thebookchook.blogspot.com/
10 Aug Jeffery E Doherty   http://jefferyedoherty.blogspot.com/