What inspired the idea behind this book?
I came to the novel from two directions. First, I found out about natives of India who came to colonial America. I discovered that the earliest-known mention of such a person (“Tony”) dates back to 1635 — not too long after the first white settlers arrived! This piece of information surprised me, to say the least, and also fascinated me. I just had to write about it… I was also inspired by a reference to an “Indian” boy in Shakespeare’s play, A Midsummer Night’s Dream — a surprising and often overlooked reference. It was a reminder of how “global” the world was, even in Shakespeare’s time. So Shakespeare’s Indian boy and “Tony,” possibly the first “East Indian” on North American soil met — and my novel came to be!
What was the research process like for the book?
I read very extensively — both work by historians and original documents from the time period. I read to understand the important historical trends that shaped that long-vanished time; I read to get to know the small details (foods, fauna, flora…); most importantly, I read simply so that the time period becomes real to me — I had to be able to transport myself into it each time I sat down to write — I knew that only then could I transport readers.
What was the most challenging part of writing this book?
Imagining what it was like to live in a newly emerging colony in the “New World” in the 1600s. It is so, so long ago… There were times I felt I had taken on too much.
What are the easiest and most difficult parts of your job as a writer?
Easiest — coming up with ideas/premises; the writing itself once I get into the flow of it. I love writing fiction and am in my element when I am engaged in it.
Most difficult — finding the time; balancing it with my job and other parts of my life.
Who are some of your favourite authors? Or favourite books?
Too many to list fully. but here are some: most of Shakespeare (of course! I am a Shakespearean by academic training), Charles Dickens (I love the variety and idiosyncrasies of his many characters, his large canvas); Hilary Mantel, Amitav Ghosh, and Richard Flanagan for retelling historical events so powerfully and movingly; Gabriel Garcia Marquez for his boldness, imaginative vision, political commentary; the Indian authors Mahaswetha Devi and Arundhati Roy for the courage and vision they bring to their work; I could go on…
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