However, the real impetus for the books was brought about by something altogether different: my granddaughter, Keely. (see picture at right)
She lives with me (my spouse, and daughter) and it is her spirit and joy of life that brought me to think about how children view the world. And more distinctly, how little girls view it.
To be clear I am a big Harry Potter fan. I make no bones about it. In fact, it is something that Keely and I share. She has been a fan of HP since she was 9 mos. old (I am NOT kidding)! You can say a great many things (good or ill) about JK Rowling's books but one thing is undeniable: she got kids reading again. No matter your political, social or religious affiliations, you can not take away that one salient masterstroke. Kids were once again excited about books! Keely is no different. She is an avid reader who has cultivated at her young age a reverence and respect for the magic of books.
Keely has other influences as well: as she has grown I have watched her (often silently and unobserved) and noticed what a wild imagination she has at her disposal when seeking out playtime. She is a great storyteller and invents really interesting plots for her super hero action figures, her dolls and some faeries that she has to play with (often intermingling them) to create elaborate adventures.
It was that indomitable spirit that I wanted to support and nurture. So I decided that I should table (for a moment) the manuscript I was currently working on and focus on something for the girls of this planet. I wanted a strong, courageous and bright young teen girl to be my protagonist. And it is to Keely that I looked to for the inspiration central to my story.
The series is most definitely an ensemble piece. There are many characters that have stories that contribute to the greater arc. However, central to them all is Keely (I named the character for her...with her blessing). So while the books might be rooted in Haudenosaunee culture, it is a positive and deftly crafted teen-aged heroine that I am writing about. I want teen-aged girls to know that they don't have to follow what mass-media presses upon them as an acceptable way of life. They can choose their own path, and be proud that they can cut their own swath out of life.
This is not to say that it is teen fiction. The themes of the books are not necessarily 'toned-down' for teen readers. Life doesn't work that way and neither do the stories I am crafting. Keely may be the central protagonist, she may be a teenaged girl BUT the story is intergenerational (as is life). The adults do not sit around in the background but are active participants in the story. Each plays a very important part. The trick is to do that without losing Keely's purpose within the scope of the work.
So, yeah. Sometimes the best and most bountiful ideas come from the things that are right in front of us. For me it started on a day in October when I first set my eyes on this little girl. She changed everything... and I am a greater person for it.
[updated 1.1.11]
AND...
What IF they all decided to settle in a town that was founded by one of their own during the gold rush days along the western Marin coast?
Thus my Mohawks built a community, a 'pseudo-rez' of their own. A home away from home. Where culturally they could flourish as well as take in the benefits of urbanization. So the dream of Hallett's Cove was born. On the hard labor and awe-inspiring work of the 'Skywalkers'.
Aside from my take with the Skywalkers, I would definitely encourage you to read about their story. It is not often told but I think that it is a worthy story that should be told often.
(updated 04/01/09)
Since I don't want to tip my hand too much until the property is sold, let's just say that my natives are different from the common stock you find populating the movies and made-for-TV films. Even different than those in popular literature.
How so?
Well, it actually stems from an interview that Adam Beach (a very popular Native actor) gave at one point in his career. Wait, maybe it was Michael Greyeyes... or was it Shiela Toussey? Anyway the important part was that native actors were complaining that they were stereo-typically stoic and always wearing loincloths. They were stuck in the past. There weren't any native doctors or lab technicians. So I took this to heart. I thought, well, let's give them some of those character attributes, but not sell off any of their cultural heritage in the process (not very easy, you try and figure it out... go on, I double-dog dare ya).
So my natives are 'hella coo'. They are deeply rooted in their traditions but also walk a fine line between the red road and the white western road. Urban indians with a metropolitan flare. And an added Nor Cal influence is there as well. These Mohawks, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, Tuscarora and Seneca are extremely different, yet they are infinitely familiar.
Natives often lament that the color Red is often the most invisible color of all when it comes to being recognized artistically, socially or politically. The Cove Chronicles seeks to change some of that. These are natives that embrace their past but can hack into your website without much of an issue (not that they would, mind you, but they're savvy enough they could if the need presented itself). They are smart and well... coo.
Peace!
(last updated 03/30/09)