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Interview with Yurika Kotzé
Published 2013-09-11.
Do you remember the first story you ever read, and the impact it had on you?
Oh my goodness, yes!
Well, strictly speaking it wasn't the first story I ever read, but it was the first to firmly plant itself in my memory. It was an Afrikaans children's book by Louise Prinsloo, called 'Die Geheim van Groukatlaagte'. I have no idea how to translate that, but I'll give it a shot... It means 'The Secret of Clawing Cat Valley'. Or something like that. I don't know.
Anyway, it was a good old-fashioned Afrikaans ghost story about three friends who stay on a farm for the holidays. They find out that something strange is going on in the abandoned old house on the other side of the property and they, of course, investigate. Like any 14-year old would.
There, they find the place haunted by the spirit of a young woman in a nightgown, who eventually spills the beans on a gruesome family secret. Oh! And there's a phantom horse that gallops past every night. Gotta love it.
I was ten years old when I read it, and I still remember it clearly. Could that have been the inspiration behind the ghostly figure at the end of my book? Well, now that I think about it...
Well, strictly speaking it wasn't the first story I ever read, but it was the first to firmly plant itself in my memory. It was an Afrikaans children's book by Louise Prinsloo, called 'Die Geheim van Groukatlaagte'. I have no idea how to translate that, but I'll give it a shot... It means 'The Secret of Clawing Cat Valley'. Or something like that. I don't know.
Anyway, it was a good old-fashioned Afrikaans ghost story about three friends who stay on a farm for the holidays. They find out that something strange is going on in the abandoned old house on the other side of the property and they, of course, investigate. Like any 14-year old would.
There, they find the place haunted by the spirit of a young woman in a nightgown, who eventually spills the beans on a gruesome family secret. Oh! And there's a phantom horse that gallops past every night. Gotta love it.
I was ten years old when I read it, and I still remember it clearly. Could that have been the inspiration behind the ghostly figure at the end of my book? Well, now that I think about it...
Describe your desk
Organised chaos. Highlighters. Empty coffee cups. Pens. Paint. Files. Sketch books. Notes. Books books books books books. Printed manuscripts. Nail polish. Snacks. Memory sticks. Another book.
But all organised in neat little heaps.
But all organised in neat little heaps.
How do you approach cover design?
Please do not laugh at what I am about to tell you. This is one of the best kept secrets of 'The Unsheathed Key' - not because it is some amazing technical method that only three people know about, but because it is deeply embarrassing.
You see, I am not good with graphic-y design-y things. I did a course in the whole sh'bang while I was studying, but heaven knows I still cannot manage to even change a color in PhotoShop.
When the time came for me to design a cover, I knew exactly what I wanted. I saw it clearly in my mind. But I had no way of getting that onto the computer. A friend offered to help, but completely misunderstood me. I tried cover design websites, but that only produced something that horrendously resembled a Danielle Steel novel. Not that there is anything wrong with that. It's just... Fantasy requires a bit more... imagination?
So what did I do?
I painted the cover.
Not kidding. I sat down one Sunday, cracked open the acrylics, and went to town. Then, I scanned it into Word, smacked a title over that bad boy and saved it as a jpeg. Done.
It might not be conventional - or even professional - but I don't care. I managed to get exactly what I wanted with no more than a few paint splotches on my living room couch. And a little error under the curve of the key-grip where I picked up the gold liner instead of the autumn yellow by mistake. Woops.
You see, I am not good with graphic-y design-y things. I did a course in the whole sh'bang while I was studying, but heaven knows I still cannot manage to even change a color in PhotoShop.
When the time came for me to design a cover, I knew exactly what I wanted. I saw it clearly in my mind. But I had no way of getting that onto the computer. A friend offered to help, but completely misunderstood me. I tried cover design websites, but that only produced something that horrendously resembled a Danielle Steel novel. Not that there is anything wrong with that. It's just... Fantasy requires a bit more... imagination?
So what did I do?
I painted the cover.
Not kidding. I sat down one Sunday, cracked open the acrylics, and went to town. Then, I scanned it into Word, smacked a title over that bad boy and saved it as a jpeg. Done.
It might not be conventional - or even professional - but I don't care. I managed to get exactly what I wanted with no more than a few paint splotches on my living room couch. And a little error under the curve of the key-grip where I picked up the gold liner instead of the autumn yellow by mistake. Woops.
When did you first start writing?
Goodness. This is a difficult question to answer.
The thing is, I've always enjoyed writing. I was the only kid in class who got excited about essays, much to the teacher's delight, but it was only around the age of about fifteen that I really started to throw myself into these little forays of storytelling.
My English teacher had a great love for fantasy fiction, and soon recognized that I have this habit of daydreaming quite a bit. So he made me read The Hobbit. And Watership Down. And many others.
I am forever thankful to him, because these stories were like fuel to my skewed imagination's fire. Ideas soon started pouring out of me, one after the other. By the end of matric, when I had been in his class for four years, he'd developed the habit of ignoring the word count restrictions when it came to my assignments. Because I tended to triple them.
At university, I attended a Creative Writing course which, well, through me off course. The lecturer was close-minded (to say the least) and wouldn't accept anything less than Dalene Matthee quality. This is all fine and well if you like going on and on and on for three pages about the greenness of a leaf. But that's not my style. Safe to say I hit a two-year bump in my writing road.
But then... oh, then... a character named Ileana started to visit my dreams...
The thing is, I've always enjoyed writing. I was the only kid in class who got excited about essays, much to the teacher's delight, but it was only around the age of about fifteen that I really started to throw myself into these little forays of storytelling.
My English teacher had a great love for fantasy fiction, and soon recognized that I have this habit of daydreaming quite a bit. So he made me read The Hobbit. And Watership Down. And many others.
I am forever thankful to him, because these stories were like fuel to my skewed imagination's fire. Ideas soon started pouring out of me, one after the other. By the end of matric, when I had been in his class for four years, he'd developed the habit of ignoring the word count restrictions when it came to my assignments. Because I tended to triple them.
At university, I attended a Creative Writing course which, well, through me off course. The lecturer was close-minded (to say the least) and wouldn't accept anything less than Dalene Matthee quality. This is all fine and well if you like going on and on and on for three pages about the greenness of a leaf. But that's not my style. Safe to say I hit a two-year bump in my writing road.
But then... oh, then... a character named Ileana started to visit my dreams...
What's the story behind your latest book?
'The Unsheathed Key' came into existence due to a number of factors. So many things played a role: personal issues, the desire to leave a legacy, the thrill of making up an entire world where I can do whatever I like to the characters... and the uncontrollable urge to write.
There is no real 'story', as I have never climbed through walls or grown bumps down my spine. But there is something of me in the book.
There are five main female characters in the book, and I like to think that they each represent a different side of my personality. Disciplined. Frightened. Adventurous. Brave. Rebellious.
Now, that's not to say that I would ever grab my daughter by the throat or plan the demise of my family... But I do understand where they're coming from.
There is no real 'story', as I have never climbed through walls or grown bumps down my spine. But there is something of me in the book.
There are five main female characters in the book, and I like to think that they each represent a different side of my personality. Disciplined. Frightened. Adventurous. Brave. Rebellious.
Now, that's not to say that I would ever grab my daughter by the throat or plan the demise of my family... But I do understand where they're coming from.
What is the greatest joy of writing for you?
Oh, the freedom!
Living vicariously through your characters. Saying things you would love to, but can't in the real world as you might get banned from family gatherings. Creating a world that flows, moves, and thrives on principles you put into place. Building a culture that makes sense to you when the real world doesn't (why do we have to make small talk? It makes no sense. It's purely decorative).
I love to see my characters grow and evolve into three-dimensional beings with their own little quirks. They guide me, sometimes, through the strength of their personalities. Take Divonne, for example: how was I to know that's she'd try to pack an entire bed into a travel satchel? The girl's endearing naivety completely dictated that scene.
Living vicariously through your characters. Saying things you would love to, but can't in the real world as you might get banned from family gatherings. Creating a world that flows, moves, and thrives on principles you put into place. Building a culture that makes sense to you when the real world doesn't (why do we have to make small talk? It makes no sense. It's purely decorative).
I love to see my characters grow and evolve into three-dimensional beings with their own little quirks. They guide me, sometimes, through the strength of their personalities. Take Divonne, for example: how was I to know that's she'd try to pack an entire bed into a travel satchel? The girl's endearing naivety completely dictated that scene.
What are you working on next?
The second book in 'The Pages of the Blade' trilogy.
No title yet, but it already has a life of its own. This second installment focuses on the different political powers that operate in the Freed Realm. We meet a host of new characters, each adding their own unique twists to the story. Look out for magicians, pirates and embellished Oriental ladies. And a dark hero clothed in wolf-skin.
No title yet, but it already has a life of its own. This second installment focuses on the different political powers that operate in the Freed Realm. We meet a host of new characters, each adding their own unique twists to the story. Look out for magicians, pirates and embellished Oriental ladies. And a dark hero clothed in wolf-skin.
When you're not writing, how do you spend your time?
My word, so many things.
I love traveling. I married a most adventurous man who has taken me all over Africa, and is now taking me to Germany for a few years.
I read a lot. A LOT lot. I bake. I crochet.
Oh! And I really enjoy watching reruns of Friends and The Big Bang Theory.
I love traveling. I married a most adventurous man who has taken me all over Africa, and is now taking me to Germany for a few years.
I read a lot. A LOT lot. I bake. I crochet.
Oh! And I really enjoy watching reruns of Friends and The Big Bang Theory.
Who are your favorite authors?
Let's see...
Christopher Paolini (Inheritance Cycle) - because he wrote Eragon while he was still in school.
Kate Mosse (Labyrinth) - because this woman has an amazing talent for capturing an atmosphere.
J.D. Salinger (The Catcher in the Rye) - oh, come on. Do I really have to explain?
Marian Keyes (Rachael's Holiday) - far from fluffy chicklit, this woman's writing has substance.
Christopher Paolini (Inheritance Cycle) - because he wrote Eragon while he was still in school.
Kate Mosse (Labyrinth) - because this woman has an amazing talent for capturing an atmosphere.
J.D. Salinger (The Catcher in the Rye) - oh, come on. Do I really have to explain?
Marian Keyes (Rachael's Holiday) - far from fluffy chicklit, this woman's writing has substance.
Do you remember the first story you ever wrote?
I am an only child, so I was often left to my own devices during the holidays. So one summer, I decided to make my own reading material. I stapled together a bunch of pages to create a little magazine, planned the features and articles, then proceeded to write and design each page.
I had a colorful cover, a letter from the editor, and interview with my favorite Barbie, an expose of a scandal involving my least favorite teddy bear, and a fashion spread. And a cookie recipe.
The project kept me busy for a week, and I still have the volume tucked away in a closet somewhere.
I had a colorful cover, a letter from the editor, and interview with my favorite Barbie, an expose of a scandal involving my least favorite teddy bear, and a fashion spread. And a cookie recipe.
The project kept me busy for a week, and I still have the volume tucked away in a closet somewhere.
What is your writing process?
I start by sleeping. No, really.
I wrote a post about this in my blog a while ago. I tend to dream my stories. Then, the next day, I write down the dream and plan how to incorporate it into the plot. The entire 'Unsheathed Key' was dreamed up - literally. I don't know how or why this happens, but it has just always been this way for me. I even wrote my oral exams in my sleep when I was still in school, quickly making notes the next morning and then going off to deliver my speech.
Weird, I know.
I wrote a post about this in my blog a while ago. I tend to dream my stories. Then, the next day, I write down the dream and plan how to incorporate it into the plot. The entire 'Unsheathed Key' was dreamed up - literally. I don't know how or why this happens, but it has just always been this way for me. I even wrote my oral exams in my sleep when I was still in school, quickly making notes the next morning and then going off to deliver my speech.
Weird, I know.
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