Questions about the Midnight Dancers...
Now that Waking Rose is out, some of you have started to ask me questions about The Midnight Dancers. I'd like to take advantage of this blog to do that. How about you post these questions in this topic under comments and I'll see what I can answer?
As usual, I won't answer general questions like "What is The Midnight Dancers about?" but I will do my best to answer specific questions. (ie: "Is Rose Brier in the book?")
You can read the fairy tale "The Twelve Dancing Princesses" which the book is based on by clicking here.
And click here to read previous questions folks had asked before Waking Rose was published.
So fire away with your questions in the comments box, and I'll post answers there as well.
As usual, I won't answer general questions like "What is The Midnight Dancers about?" but I will do my best to answer specific questions. (ie: "Is Rose Brier in the book?")
You can read the fairy tale "The Twelve Dancing Princesses" which the book is based on by clicking here.
And click here to read previous questions folks had asked before Waking Rose was published.
So fire away with your questions in the comments box, and I'll post answers there as well.
Comments
Hmm..questions, questions, where to begin?
First: Is it "modernized" like the Shadow of the Bear books?
Second: If so, I'm very curious as to how you've managed to pull off the cloak of invisibility, if you've even added it in. I don't expect you to tell us ALL about it, but did you put that or something similar in?
Third: Does your story involve all twelve sisters/girls or are there less/more?
Fourth: Will you quote poetry and music in this one? I have LOVED that about your books. :D In fact, Black As Night is what got me interested in Emily Dickinson's poetry.
~Delaney
A: Yes, of course.
Q: If so, I'm very curious as to how you've managed to pull off the cloak of invisibility, if you've even added it in.
A: You'll have to wait and see. ;) Don't worry, there will be a modern "parallel." It's an important part of the original story.
Q: Does your story involve all twelve sisters/girls or are there less/more?
A: There will be twelve sisters, not six or five or three as there have been in some modern retellings. I'm excited about the chance to work with a big family in a story, since I'm from a big family (10 kids) myself. (And my husband is from a family of 11 kids.)
Q: Will you quote poetry and music in this one?
A: There's not as many literary references in this one, but there are definitely some. Right now the deficiency is due to a lack of poetry-lovers among the main characters. But I'll see what I can do. I am on the lookout for a good song, actually (although my husband is tired of paying for the song licenses -- you need permission and a license to quote song lyrics, of course).
Q: Will Fish and Rose be in this book?
A: I think you can count on catching a glimpse of them, but I'll warn you that they're not very important in this story.
I don't have any more books about Fish and Rose written or plotted at this point. It's not that I don't want to do one: it's just that right now I don't have any ideas for how to do one.
I do have a partially written book about Fish that takes place before Waking Rose begins, but Rose is barely in it. Plus I've used Fish as a minor character in a draft of another unpublished book. But right now, there's no other book in the works with lots of Rose and Fish.
I could definitely see myself writing another book about them, probably about their adventures as a married couple (wouldn't that be fun?), but right now I have no plot to put them in. Someday I might come up with one though: stay tuned!
Sorry for taking up two comment slots, but I do have a question about Midnight Dancers this time. Will Donna be in it? I think she's a very interesting character, with a lot of potential.
No, I don't think so (she may get a cameo). I actually don't have any books planned for Donna right now: I'll have to think about that though...
Q:Are you planning on publishing "The Midnight Dancers" anytime soon??
Summer of 2008. Sorry, I know it's a long wait! But that will give me time to rewrite it (and I'm having a baby in December, so I know I'll need the time!). In the meantime, I've got the John Paul 2 High series to work on (while I am NOT the author, I am Chief Editor and Series Queen), and I hope people enjoy those books too.
Ok, if I have to guess, I'll start by guessing it is based on a Grimms' tale since all your other books are based on Grimms' tales?I'm not a great authority on fairy tales, but is it perhaps Faithful Johannes? If not, is it a well known story? Thanks, Joanna F.
I think it would definately be so cool if you did a book all about rose and fish when they're married...that would be wonderful!!
Also, my questions are:
Are both of the girls' parents alive in the book?
How old is the oldest girl and how young is the youngest girl?
Are the sisters homeschooled?
Thanks,
Mae
Also, my questions are:
Are both of the girls' parents alive in the book?
How old is the oldest girl and how young is the youngest?
Are the sisters homeschooled?
Thanks,
Mae
A: Your wish is my command. Check out the link I added to the original post above.
Q:: Are both of the girls' parents alive in the book?
A: Oooh, you are savvy! Hmmm. I guess the answer would have to be ....no.
Q: How old is the oldest girl and how young is the youngest?
18 and I think around age 11 (which is my favorite age for girls, btw).
Q: Are the sisters homeschooled?
A: Not at this point, though that may change (they're not always very nice girls, so I guess I wonder, if I had the 12 girls be homeschooled, would too many homeschoolers take offense?
I'm so sorry I didn't clarify what story I was asking about. What I meant to ask was whether Faithful Johannes was the tale that Fish's partially written book is based on. Then if it wasn't, if Fish's story is based on a more well known story. Sorry about the mistake, Joanna F.
I was wondering if the internet was the enchanted land/parallel universe the girls visit? I've heard of these make believe worlds online, and I was wondering if that was it?
Thanks, Joanna
Thanks and God Bless, Mary
~Delaney
(I used the word 'hero' way too many times in this comment.)
Q: Is the hero of The Midnight Dancers going to be the 'poor soldier?' Before I had been thinking the main character would be a girl. If that's the case and the hero is a hero and not heroine (:P), is the hero Paul Fester? My sister and I think he deserves a story and a nice girl. :P
A: VERY GOOD! Yes, Paul Fester appears again in The Midnight Dancers. I definitely agree with you on the last comment, Delaney!
Q: You said that there is "only one girl I go into depth about to the extent that I do with Rose and Blanche in the first books." could you tell us her name and maybe the names of some of her sisters?
A: I wish to be coy about that information for now. :)
Q: Also, have you written any sort of summary of the book, like what would be on the back cover, that you could tell us?
A: I'll have to see about posting that soon! That would be fun to know...!
~Tina
A: I don't think the father hides the daughters away in the fairy tale: does he??
Let me know if I'm not understanding the question correctly...
A: Paul, as you may remember from Waking Rose, is from Chicago. You'll have to wait to find out how he gets to Maryland.
Q: I'm curious how the girls are princesses?
A: They are not actually titular princesses any more than Bear and Fish are titular royalty.
If both of the girls' parents are not alive, is their father alive? Or did I misunderstand you answer: "I guess the answer would have to be...no." Is their mom dead? Are their parents divorced?
Would love to see that summary! I will be sure to keep you and your books in my prayers!
Arianna C.
A: Yes, he is.
Q: If both of the girls' parents are not alive, is their father alive?
A: I would have to say, yes. (Adopted father in some cases.)
Q: Is their mom dead?
A: In some cases, yes. In others, no.
Q:Are their parents divorced?
A: No.
Q:You're having a baby in December? Congratulations!
A: Thanks!!!
Also, since Paul is Catholic and the girls aren't does the enchanted world have anything to do with a misconception about the Catholic faith? I'm not sure how you would fit dancing in with that, but I thought I would ask anyway. Thanks, Joanna F.
P.S. Congratulations on the baby in December!
Aubrey H.
P.S. Sorry some of my guesses were so obscure:(
So some are adopted. I concluded that both from your answer to the parents question and the fact that if the girls are between the ages of 18 to 11 there would either have to be sets of twins or triplets to get twelve girls in that age range in one family.
A.H.
A: I know this is confusing! Can you imagine a situation where a widow and widower, each with children, married one another? If you can, then you have your answer.
Q: Since Paul is Catholic and the girls aren't does the enchanted world have anything to do with a misconception about the Catholic faith?
A: Did I say that the girls weren't Catholic? But of course you are right if you mean that misunderstandings about Catholicism play a part in the story, though they don't directly symbolize anything. (This is a tricky question to try to answer!)
Q: Are all the sisters/ girls blood-related?
A: No. As you observed, you can't have twelve teenaged or preteenaged girls in one family (without several sets of twins) without some kind of adoption.
Q: (From another comment box) I read the original twelve dancing princess... will there be no villian in this story??? cause there really isn't [besides the naughty princesses]
A: This is a clever question, but I'm afraid I can't answer it! You're right that there's no villain in the fairy tale, and for me, that was a problem...
Is their marriage recent in the book? Do the sisters get along with each other? or maybe that's why they're not always very nice?
Oh my goodness I can't wait for this book! Thank you and God Bless!
~Mae
P.S. Ditto to the congratulations on your baby. How wonderful! You'll be in my prayers.
A: I believe it is not particularly recent. But I probably shouldn't be too firm on that point. (Thanks for the congrats!)
Q: In the original Fairy Tale the poor soldier is wounded, and I was wondering if Paul also has an injury in the book? If so, does he get it because of something that happens in the book, or something before this story takes place?
A; That's a good question. Hmm... I haven't made a decision on that point yet, so let me abstain from the question....
Just some thoughts!
An avid fan.
Ps. LOVE Waking Rose!!!!!!
A harpist (and a avid fan)
Is Paul going to med school in Maryland?
Joanna F.
Joanna F.
Oh, will Rose and Fish be married in this one? (If we see them at all?)
Regina, congratulations on your baby!
A: You'll have to wait and see! :)
A. H.
- GKC lover
GKC - Yes, there's definitely some literary themes running throughout, and a certain book is highlighted. Right now there's no poetry in the book, which is the big difference for me.
We made a few guesses, expressed a few hopes, said "I'm so excited" about 7 times each, and I started imagining.
You don't have to answer any of this, Regina, I just want to say what I guess the youngest girl in your story will be like. You can laugh at how silly it is, or how far-off, but I thought you might be interested:
In the fairy tale, the youngest girl is the one who notices the soldier following them. He steps on her dress, and she notices, but the other girls tell her she probably caught it on a nail. He breaks some branches, and she hears. He gets into her boat. And none of the other sisters believe her.
You said that the youngest girl in The Midnight Dancers is 11. Assuming the girls sneak out to a party every night or something like that, an 11 year old wouldn't be *entirely* welcome at such a party. So... my little guess is that this youngest daughter is sort of bookwormish and observant. Her sisters only take her along so she won't tattle, and she brings a book along with her.
There. I've said it. *blushes* :P
I also have a question: Is it too early for you to tell us some of the names of the girls? :) I keep imagining that the oldest girl's name starts with M, and the youngest starts with S. Silly, huh? :D
God Bless!
Ps. Oh yes, can you PLEASE tell us some of the names of the girls? Even if it is just one?
PPs. I am probably going to start an influx of suggestions, but in a future book, could there be a nice girl character named Amanda? 'Cause I think it is a nice name (though I am a bit biased), and whenever there is a character with that name, she is either not important, or mean. If you don't want to you don't have too. (And if you don't like that name, I won't cry... too much. ;)
God Bless!
P.S. Ms. Doman, do Rose, or Blanche, or any of your characters like figure skating? That would be really cool if someone did!
Go BEARS!
(Nah, I'm not a football fan either.)
A: All I will say is, you are *partially* correct. I'm actually quite fond of this younger sibling, and have considered doing a book about her too, someday.
Q: I also have a question: Is it too early for you to tell us some of the names of the girls? :) I keep imagining that the oldest girl's name starts with M, and the youngest starts with S. Silly, huh? :D
A: Hmmm... it's probably too early. There *is* a sister (actually two sisters) who have M names, and I think there might be one S name, but not the youngest.
Q: I am probably going to start an influx of suggestions, but in a future book, could there be a nice girl character named Amanda? 'Cause I think it is a nice name (though I am a bit biased), and whenever there is a character with that name, she is either not important, or mean.
A: I really like the name Amanda too! No, there is no Amanda in this book, but I'll try to make a point of writing a book about a nice, cool, totally awesome Amanda soon.
Regarding names: If you could choose a name for a character, what would it be?
Obsessed with Names
In reply to Obsessed with Names' question, hmm... I really like:
1. Sabrina
2. Salina
3. Kiara
If I think of more, I'll post them.
Since I asked the question, I'll add a few of my own.
For a girl character:
1. Sarah
2. Felicity
3. Holly
4. Jennifer
5. Maired
6. Maire
(This could go on booklength, so I shall move on..)
For guys:
1. Seamus
2. Eamon
3. Eoin
4. David
5. Benedict is taken, which is on my top ten list, so I'll have to go with Rafael.
That is it for now. Must stop!
Obsessed with Names
For guys:
#1. Martin (LOVE that name)
#2. Lawrence
#3. David (I agree)
#4. Robert (shortened form Rob, NOT Bob!)
#5. Matthias
#6. Peter
#7. Benedict (yeah, it's nice)
#8. Alex
#9. Philip
#10.Luke
~*~
I'll continue my list for girls:
#1. Sabrina
#2. Salina
#3. Kiara
#4. Alicia
#5. Rose (I am satisfied!)
#6. Tessa
#7. Anna (simple, but pretty)
#8. Eowyn
#9. Marianna/Marianne
#10. Most Celtic names
~*~
The list shall continue. (Maybe on the newer post, so more people can share ideas?) Than of course, we'll have to type the lists all over again...
Just a thought!
Girl names:
1. Rachel (that's why I almost shrieked when I saw the name "Rachel Durham" on the Midnight Dancers page. I love that name.
2. Saryn (I WILL use this someday. I am determined to! I love it! I'll either name a child this or write a book with a 'Saryn')
3. Istra/Maia (these are both names from C.S. Lewis's Till We Have Faces. So I wouldn't write a book with these characters. My friend once was fantasizing about the future, in which I had a beautiful daughter named Istra, though.)
4. Tatiana (the name of one of the sisters in the Romanov family. I love it.)
5. Cordelia (I'm with Anne Shirley on this name.)
6. Rebekah (I like that spelling a lot. And I have a friend named that.)
7. Lucy
8. Zoe (my baby sister's name. So I'm not quite *used* to it yet.)
I can't think of anymore... but there *are* more. :D
(Hmm, most of my favorite girl names end in 'a'... interesting.)
I like William shortened as Will. (One of the reasons I like Will Turner from Pirates of the Caribbean... I like his name!)
If I think of more, I will post.
God Bless!
Boys not necessarily in order of my favorites, but
Alexander
Alexei
Benedict (very happy it's Fish's name!)
Raphael (I thought I was the only one that liked that name! I like it with a "ph" rather than an "f" though.)
Joseph
Augustine
Edward
Jacob
Girls also not necessarily in order of favorites
Katherine (with a "K")
Marie
Monika (with a "k")
Theresa (with or without the "h")
Joanna (I like my name. I also find it interesting that nobody else has put their name down.)
Tatiana (I agree, very pretty name)
Anastasia
Sylwia (Polish spelling)
I also love a bunch of Polish names that you wouldn't know how to pronounce, and they would look somewhat odd written down unless you're Polish.
I'll think of more names later and post them.
Joanna F.
Obsessed with Names
Also, it sounds really good! I can't wait to read it and also hear about any new books you may be writing.
Oh! And I can't wait to meet you, Mrs. Doman. I'll see you at the IL homeschool conference in May.
God bless!!
In the Love of Christ,
~Jo March (not my real name, but my literary wannabe)
I have a question for you. Are you by chance related to Martain Doman? I have been to some stubenville east confrences and he was there playing music, and he also canme to our home town and did a retreat. I also want to thank you for writing books that have good morals, suspence, and romance with out all of the junk that the world has put out for us teenaged catholic girls.
Thank you again ahd my God bless you, your family, and your hand for writing.
Rebecca
Yes, Martin Doman is my little brother. Very proud of him, especially because I can't play guitar at all. Everyone in my family is a musician except for me, and one other brother, who's a surgeon. :)
I actually haven't considered doing Beauty and the Beast as a modern fairy tale. There are quite a few good modern versions out there already, and I'm not sure I'd have much to add. Cinderella is another fairy tale I'll probably never do, for the same reason.
~Narnia-Gal~
~Narnia-Gal~
Thanks!