I love stories about King Arthur, Lancelot, Guinevere, and Merlin, and my guest today has taken those legends and written a hero's journey for middle graders. Cheryl Caripinello is the author of THE KING'S RANSOM and is here to share her own journey. Welcome, Cheryl!
Tell us a little about your background and how you became
an author.
I am a
twice-retired high school English teacher. I’m afraid I’m one of those people
who do not do retirement well.
I have
been an avid reader for as long as I can remember. I even used to find the
books my parents would get me for Christmas and read a few pages before they
wrapped them! Teaching students in high school who didn’t like to read or who
found a million other activities to do rather than read motivated me to dig
deeper into my curriculum.
It is
always challenging to find reading material that excites every student. In
fact, it is nearly impossible. Then one spring I decided to do The Once and Future King by T. H. White.
My freshmen were ecstatic. We read; we discussed; we drew murals of chapters;
we wrote poetry and songs; and we attempted to earn Knighthood in seven days!
Boy, what a discovery I’d made.
For next
20 years, I continued to teach the King Arthur Legend, and the enthusiasm never
waned. I had students who would give 100% on this unit when I struggled to get
them to read other literature. These kids were my inspiration for choosing the
legend of King Arthur for my writing. In
2007, I started my first Arthurian legend book Guinevere: On the Eve of Legend. I published that in 2009. The King’s Ransom (Young Knights of the
Round Table), published in May 2012, is my second book in that genre.
King
Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table never seem to lose their appeal to
readers of all ages. When I talk about the Medieval Times with kids and adults,
the talk centers around the exploits of the knights, heroes like King Arthur
and Lancelot, and magic and Merlyn. I use the appeal of King Arthur to
encourage young kids to read more and to believe that they can write. I always
come away from a school visit believing that I have helped the students relate
better to their writing, and hopefully, ignited a little spark in the reluctant
readers to pick up a book. It is so important to hook kids early to make them
life-long readers and writers.
Working
with kids is a passion I have never lost. I regularly conduct Medieval Writing
Workshops for local elementary/middle schools and for the Colorado Girl Scouts
where we explore writing and reading, and it is fulfilling to see young
students excited about writing and reading. The kids thoroughly enjoy writing
their own medieval stories complete with dragons, wizards, unicorns, and
knights.
You sound like an expert in Arthurian Legends!
What is one of your favorite books and why?
The Hobbit and The Lord of the
Rings by Tolkien. I first read these books in 1973. I was newly married and
looking for my place in the world. Looking back, I see it was the journey of
Bilbo and Frodo that drew me in. Like them, I was also on a journey and had no
idea of the ending. A few years later, I discovered Joseph Campbell and the
Hero’s Journey. I realized that this was the attraction for me in the works of
Tolkien, T. H. White, George Lucas, and J. K. Rowling.
What inspired you to write THE KING'S RANSOM?
In talking
with kids and from my own reading, I discovered that the Hero’s Journey is a
huge attraction for everyone. Since I had already experienced first hand the
attraction the Arthurian legend held for students, I set out to write a story
that would couple that with a hero’s journey. After all, heroes abound in the
legend.
However,
I’m also a romantic, and it’s that side of the legend that appeals to me. I
like the ideas surrounding the legend like might is not right; how when seen
from the air, there are no lines or boundaries on Earth—we are all here
together, and we need to learn how to get along; and how in Arthur’s time hope
still lives. Underneath it all, I believe this is what draws young and old to
the legend. What the legend says to kids without them realizing it is that
there is a right way and a wrong way to live. This is done with the stories of
the knights with their quests, their jousts, their rescuing of the damsels, and
their fighting for the underdog. These stories present young readers with vivid
accounts of honor, loyalty, and friendship. This is what I tried to focus on in
The King’s Ransom.
How would you describe your writing process?
Once I get
an idea for a story, I write out an outline. It’s not overly detailed, just an
overview of the entire story. Then I spend several days doing what I tell my
students is brainwork. I just think about what I’ve outlined, the possible
characters, the storyline, conflicts, etc. I then go back to the outline and
fill in some of the missing pieces. I do more brainwork and then finalize the
outline. Once that is done, I start writing. I like to write the entire story
without making any editorial changes. Once the story is done, I go back over my
outline and see how the two fit or don’t fit together. Then it is editing and
revision time. I generally go over a work three or four times, in addition to
letting my editing partner have a go of it. Before I submit my work anywhere, I
have a professional editor read and edit the manuscript.
One thing
I’ve learned as an English teacher is that a writer cannot edit their own work
enough. And then when you think you’ve got it perfect, it needs to have a
different set of eyes go over it. Even then, there will still be errors. You
just hope that those will be unnoticed by most readers.
I'm a big proponent of outlining, too!
How have you marketed your book?
Having
self-published Guinevere, I learned
that marketing is a never-ending job. In fact, most of the time it can be
overwhelming. Getting a book in front of as many people as possible is the key
to successful marketing. I blog about my books on my blog site Carpinello’s Writing Pages. I’m also a believer in
gaining exposure and visibility by entering contests. Guinevere: On the Eve of Legend was a finalist in the 2011 Global
eBook Awards and that has boosted my sales.
Specifically
for The King’s Ransom (Young Knights of
the Round Table), I’ve done the same types of marketing. I’ve done blog
interviews, and right now this is my second stop on my three-month blog tour
that includes interviews, book reviews, blogs about the King Arthur Legend, and
upcoming blogs about mythology and kids and parenting.
I’ve also
entered The King’s Ransom is several
contests. In July 2012, the book was honored by the Children’s Literary
Classics with their Seal of Approval and accorded Recommended Reading status on
their website. This is really a boon for me as one of my main target audiences
in elementary school classrooms. School visits in connection with my medieval
writing workshops have to be my favorite marketing tool.
Additionally,
for The King’s Ransom I’m trying
something totally new. I’ve written a 40-plus page promo book that is available
on Amazon. The promo book includes my characters’ interview, an author
interview, previously unpublished material from the original manuscript, an
excerpt from The King’s Ransom and
other goodies. I enrolled Behind the Scenes of
The King’s Ransom (Young Knights of the Round Table) in Amazon’s KDP program, and on Sept. 20 and 21, readers
will be able to pick it up for free. I have advertised on about 20 sites, and
it has only cost me $10.00.
Medieval workshops for kids sounds like a great marketing/educational tool!
What advice would you give to other authors?
I know
it’s been said many times, but writers need to write what they love. Also,
don’t be afraid to explore and expand on that. It was my love of those early
works along with the connection to Joseph Campbell and the hero’s journey that
inspired me in my writings. And it has taken me beyond Arthurian Legend to
ancient Egypt where a young pharaoh embarks upon his own journey to write a
wrong and be united with his one true love.
Sometimes
a person’s writing can take them places they never imagined. Rejoice in that
and embrace it!
Please provide a favorite excerpt from your book.
In this
excerpt, Gavin and Philip have been listening to Gavin’s father, the king, talk
with his two oldest sons about the Wild Man who has been arrested for murder.
“Father, he had to have done it. The
bloody knife was found in his blanket,” argued Sean, Gavin’s oldest brother.
“We don’t know where he’s from or how he came to be here. Besides, how could he
have gotten inside the castle if Aldred didn’t know him?”
“I’m not so certain he killed Aldred,” said Robert. “He’s
pretty harmless from what I’ve heard and seen.”
“What do you mean ‘harmless’?” Sean asked. “He killed
Aldred to cover up the theft and to keep him from spreading the alarm.”
“I’ve seen him with Gavin and his friends, Philip and
Bryan.”
“What?”
“The boys worship him. He often watches Gavin practice
and gives him good suggestions for improvement. I’ve even seen him instructing
Bryan in sword fighting. He’s handy with a sword. He also works for the friar
and helps Philip with repairs around the church.”
“I don’t call a stranger who shows up out of nowhere and
is good with a sword ‘harmless.’ And why’s a man like that passing time with a
prince of Pembroke?” Sean asked.
“That has little bearing here,” King Wallace pointed out.
“I disagree. The people are angry over Aldred’s death.
I’m afraid if we don’t convict this Wild Man, the people may take that to mean
we are unwilling to prosecute a guilty man because of his friendship with
Gavin,” Sean said. “Maybe that’s what he counted on.”
Philip gripped Gavin’s arm. What if the Wild Man had
killed Aldred and stolen the King’s Ransom? What if he’d used Gavin’s
friendship to do just that? What if the Wild Man had used them all? Philip
calmed himself and squeezed Gavin’s arm harder, knowing he was thinking the
same thing. When Gavin turned, Philip shook his head and mouthed the word “No!”
twice. Gavin nodded.
“The people do not enforce the law here. I do!” King
Wallace declared. “I’ll decide if the man is guilty or not, and the people will
live with my decision.”
“As you say, Father,” both sons replied, subdued.
“It troubles me that there was no sign of the King’s
Ransom with this...this Wild Man’s things,” the King continued. A chair scraped
on the floor. The noise made Philip jump. He relaxed when someone, probably the
king, paced.
“Why keep
the knife and not the medallion?” King Wallace asked. “You two take a small
contingent of knights tomorrow and search his camp. Find that medallion. He
must have hidden it nearby, knowing it would be worthless around here. Probably
planned on leaving the area after the uproar calmed down, never thinking we
would be able to follow his trail so quickly. I bet he has a buyer for it.” The
king pounded his desk with his fist.
Gavin and
Philip jumped.
“That’s
it! And I’d wager his buyer is King Edward,” the king said.
“Of Manorbier Castle?” Sean asked.
“Why not? You’ve heard him threaten often enough that
he’d like nothing better than to buy up all of Pembroke and get rid of us for
good.”
“Why don’t we confront him? That might throw him off
guard,” Robert suggested.
“No. Unless we have proof, King Arthur would have my head
if I provoked a conflict. It took him long enough to convince Edward to end his
raids. Confronting him isn’t the answer.”
The scraping of chairs startled Gavin and Philip again.
“Go out tomorrow. Search well. When you return, have the
knights question the villagers. If you turn up nothing, we’ll apply pressure to
our prisoner.”
Both sons started to protest.
“I know, you want to question him now. However, some time
without contact will put him in a more agreeable mood. Might make him eager to
tell us where he’s hidden the King’s Ransom.”
“What about King Arthur?”
“He will be here in four to five days. Either I have the
medallion to present to him, or I give him the man’s head. Close the door
behind you. I need to think.”
“Yes, Father.”
Gavin signaled Philip to return the way they had come.
When they reached the tapestry, Philip let Gavin move ahead to make sure the
way was clear.
Once outside, they sat on a shadowed bench across from
the dungeon.
“If we can’t prove the Wild Man’s
innocent, then your father, I mean the king, will have him killed,” Philip
said.
“I know.”
Both boys sat quietly.
Finally Philip said, “Gavin?”
“Yes?”
“Do you think the Wild Man would use our friendship?”
Philip’s voice trembled.
Gavin didn’t answer.
I love the excerpt! Where can readers find you and your book?
My main
website Beyond Today (Educator) contains information on both Guinevere and The King’s
Ransom. The events section is a picture gallery of the Medieval writing
workshops I do with the Colorado Girl Scouts.
On my blog
Carpinello’s Writing Pages, I review Children/MG/Tween/YA books, conduct interviews
with authors, and post ideas to get kids involved in reading and writing.
Visitors can still do the virtual blog tour of the book’s settings in Wales
that I posted when The King’s Ransom released.
I would love to have my readers visit my author page on Facebook and leave me a message. I'm also on Goodreads and Twitter.
It sounds like you've have some great success writing about the Arthurian Legend--it's definitely a story that kids and adults both love, and one that my own kids would enjoy! Thank you for being here today, Cheryl!
--KSR Writer
