Francesca Gibbons is a critically acclaimed children’s author, best known for her debut novel, The Shadow Moth. Her new book, Beyond the Mountains continues the adventure from the first book and is illustrated by the award winning Chris Riddell. We caught up with her to find out more.
So what is Beyond The Mountains about? How would you describe it to a beloved but excitable young relative?
It’s the second book in the Clock of Stars series.
In the first book, we meet Imogen and Marie. They’re sisters and, like many siblings, they don’t always get along. They find themselves trapped in a magical world, populated by monsters and bears and a prince who lives in a tower.
In the second book, the sisters return to the magic world. But this time, Marie gets kidnapped. Imogen gives chase and the pursuit takes her beyond the mountains, to strange and dangerous lands… There are more monsters in this story – plus a very large and friendly cat.
Why a sequel?
In the first Clock of Stars book, the adventure is set within a valley and the mountains that surround it. It’s an insular and isolated place. I enjoyed writing in this kingdom, but I felt that the sisters were capable of more. In book two, I wanted to see how they coped on a bigger stage. I think I was curious to see what lay beyond the mountains too.
What character is the most fun to write?
Ah this is such a tough question. I enjoy writing them all, but there is something delicious about writing villains. Anneshka is my main “baddie”. She’s an aspiring queen with a bad attitude, who’s not afraid to have people killed. But she can also be pretty charismatic and I am much fonder of her than I should be.
There is also a new character, called Princess Kazimira. She’s only a child, and she’s not all bad, but she has a real thing about giant cats (like the one on the front cover). Kazimira is desperate to have one as a pet. I may not agree with her methods, but I do understand her desire!
Chris Riddell’s art is gorgeous, did it change the way you see the characters in any way?
Yes! His work is so beautiful and detailed. He always brings the characters to life as they are on the page, and then adds an extra layer of imagination.
He made the velecours more colourful than I had imagined. They are the giant birds on the cover of book one. When I saw what he’d done I loved it so much that I went back and added it to the text.
Which character seriously needs to have word with themselves?
Many of the characters have things to learn, but Princess Kazimira is an extreme case. She needs to stop dressing up newts as dolls. And she’s got to stop stealing other people’s giant cats.
What would you say the biggest influence on this book is?
The Narnia books, for sure. I loved those stories growing up. They really spoke to my desire for escapism – and showed me how books can be portals too – taking you from your bed to the snow-swept forests of Narnia. I think escapism is really important.
Is the genre world more accessible these days?
I think accessibility for readers is linked to how accessible the industry is for writers. Many of the best fantasy books I’ve read this year have been written by authors from marginalized backgrounds – and it’s exciting to see more books like this being published. But you don’t have to look at many stats to see that there’s still a long way to go.
How does magic change a society?
I often think of magic as a metaphor for nature. So, in my mind, we already have magic all around us. When I’m writing, I’m just making that magic more obvious and having some fun with it.
Which writers inspire you?
I’m loving Jordan Ifueko. Her stories are epic, unpredictable and give me goosebumps… I’m also revisiting Garth Nix’s Old Kingdom series and have been totally blown away the humour, creepiness and clarity of that world. In non-fiction, I have a Robert MacFarlane obsession. I thought Underland and The Wild Places were both mind-bending books.
What tropes do you personally avoid the most?
The well-behaved child protagonist. She never has a naughty thought because even in her head she is good.
How would you describe your process?
Process is a grand word. But on a good day, it’s like making a patchwork blanket. I write a mini adventure. I try not to get freaked out by looking at the whole thing. I write another mini adventure. I stitch them together. Eventually, I hope to make a quilt.
Simpsons or Futurama?
Simpsons!
Star Wars or Star Trek?
I still get them mixed up?
Tigers or Spiders?
In my house… definitely spiders.
Truth or Beauty?
The truth is a beautiful thing. Unless you’re Boris, of course.
The first two books of the Clock of Stars series are out in paperback right now, and can be found from all good book merchants.
