An Interview with E.M. Duffield-Fuller
E.M. Duffield-Fuller is a dark fantasy author who has previously written Obsidian and the Darkwatch Trilogy, as well as short stories for several anthologies and journals. Her next novel, Killing Hares, is coming out January 22 with Honno.
What inspired you to start writing this book?
Killing Hares had a thousand inspirations, some minor and more mundane, some larger. I was sitting in a local cafe when I saw a wonderful picture of a hare by a local artist that was made up of Celtic swirls and patterns. I learnt that ‘hud’ (pronounced ‘heed’) was the Welsh word for magic, which suggested lots of opportunities for magical abilities and compulsion powers. I also wrote a short story about dragons for a story writing competition. But when I had finished the short story, I felt as though I hadn’t finished with that world, so I developed it into a full-length book, which thankfully Honno was interested in. Other inspiration for the book came from my experience of motherhood, and watching my mother’s experiences as a full-time carer. This book is very personal in that regard.
Tell us the story of your book’s current title. Was it easy to find, or did it take forever?
The title is Killing Hares. It was originally the title of a different piece I was working on, but I thought it ended up fitting this manuscript better! In some ways then, the title came before the story.
Describe your dream book cover.
I love any book cover that has gold detailing on it. Dark, mysterious, and alluring with strange details you can’t help staring at…
What other professions have you worked in? What’s something about you that your readers wouldn’t know?
I was a primary school teacher before I did my PhD, and I’ve taught at university, too. I think the urge to communicate with people is inherent both in teaching and storytelling.
Who/what made you want to write? Was there a particular person, or particular writers/works/art forms that influenced you?
I’ve always written, ever since I was a child. I think that in many ways, it’s an attempt to make sense of the world around us. I wouldn’t say there was one specific person who influenced me; rather my writing is a collage of everything I come across. I don’t think I could stop writing if I tried to!
Where is your favorite place to write?
I write everywhere and anywhere! With three children, you have to snatch whatever moments you can get to keep going. I always have a notebook with me, and I often sit in the car to make some notes whilst I’m waiting to pick the boys up from the school run. I sit and type it up on my laptop in bed after the boys are asleep. I do love writing in a cafe too, though, or outside beneath the trees in the sunshine.
What’s one thing you hope sticks with readers after they finish your book?
A lot of Killing Hares deals with feminist issues of care-giving, duty, and sacrifice. Women, and specifically mothers, are expected to sacrifice by society in ways others are not. This can be lonely, isolating, and burn you out. If only one thing could stick with readers after they’d finished Killing Hares, I would hope that it was the knowledge that they weren’t alone, and that they didn’t have to be alone. We can only thrive in community with each other.
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