Q&A
In your novel, The Outcast of Redwall, what is the full name of the squirrelhare we are told to call Jodd? I know he starts to explain the complexity of it, but he is always stopped before he has even started. I have always loved the names of your characters, and I'd like to know the complete name of this particular squirrelhare.
Add Jodrellio, and you have it.
I have always wondered where the badger lords of Salamandastron came from, those not told about in the books, like Old Lord Brocktree, Urthrun the Gripper, Spear Lady Gorse, Bluestripe the Wild and Ceteruler, and Bella's husband Barkstirpe? Is there some land near Mossflower filled with waiting to journey bagers?
This could be the basis of a future tale!!
Why do you call the abbey young ones Dibbuns? Does it mean anything?
It is a made up word for babies. It fits well I think.
I intend on becoming a writer or novelist in the future. So what would you suggest as a good way to start off my"authors career"?
You are asking a very difficult question. Everyone must follow their own path. Write what is true for you and paint pictures with words is my best advice. I found that I didn't just start to be an 'author' one day. I worked for many years as a writer in lots of different fields.
In the Outcast Of Redwall, Bella of Brockhall named the baby ferret Veil because they did not know about the rest of his life. Bella said to Bryony that she would tell her the real reason that she named him Veil when she was older. It was never told! Can you tell me why?
Veil is an anagram of the word Evil. It was explained in the story.
Do you have any other major hobbies or interests, aside from reading and authoring?
Surely you jest, I have no time for hobbies!
Is there a religion in Redwall Abbey, and if so, what is it called and who is the religious leader?
This is a question that I have answered many times. ABSOLUTELY NOT!
How do you think of names for characters? I try to write stories (not always Redwall stories), but have trouble thinking of names for characters.
Many are made up from anagrams of people I know, and others just sound like the character to me. Some, of course, are real names for the animals that they are given to, but in other languages: Plumpen for instance is the Dutch word for Dormouse.
I simply adore the mole talk! It is exremely fun to try and find out what they are saying (especially when you have no idea!) Although, I do have one question about there their speech. What does "Burr" and "Hurr" mean in mole-talk?
It is just like "er!" or "um!"
I have always found the poetry in your "Redwall" books to be beautifully creative. Have you thought about setting some of the poems to music and releasing them on CD? You could have Enya or Sarah MacLaughlan sing the songs to add that celtic harmony to the poems.
A nice Idea but I have so many things going on that I can't think of another project at the moment. (Webmaster's note: Songs from Redwall has since been recorded and released. Click 'Shop' up above for more details)
Out of all the 'Redwall' books I have read (which is almost all of them) I never heard of any medieval cities inhabited by animals in your books. Did you ever consider putting one into a book as part of the plot?
No it is essentially a world of country villages and communities.
When you compose the songs that some characters in your delightful books sing, do you have melodies for them or are they just poetry?
They all have tunes in my head and I sing them to myself.
Considering that some of the names that are found in Redwall are also found in the Bible (Matthias and Methuselah, for example), did you mean to create any parallels between the two? If so, what are some plot points that you can tell us about in Redwall that you got from the Bible?
No parallels are intended. The Biblical names are strong and resonant, and many of them are also family names in my home.
I noticed that you used the name Tsarmina in 'Mossflower' and was wondering if the plot had anything to do with the Russian Revolution in which the citizens of Russia overthrew the Russian Tsar to try to begin a new era of peace for their country free of oppresion.
No no, the name is based on Tsarina, with a 'mean ' streak in the middle, I liked the hissing-cat-like quality of it.
Mr. Jacques, I love the cover artwork for your books. How did you originally choose the artists?
I did not choose the artists. My Editors in all the countries where my books are published do that. I do have some input in Britain and the U.S.A., but absolutely no control in other countries. Although, if I really objected to a cover, I would let my feelings be known.
Do you have any superstitions about writing? For instance, do you wear pink bunny slippers, write at a certain time and place, or have to be facing some direction?
I like to write in my garden preferably but not exclusively in good weather. I have a certain pen and a very old typewriter. Nothing else makes me feel comfortable.
In Pearls of Lutra you introduce seals, whales and gulls. In your next book will you have introduced different kinds of critters? If so, what kinds?
Wait and see!!
While on the internet, I came across a Battlestar Galactica episode or movie know as simply, the Long Patrol! Furthermore, one of the main characters was called Starbuck! Is there any connection between this, and the itemds in the Redwall books?
No, just coincidence, Starbuck is a native wild plant here in Britain, and the Long Patrol has always been my name for the hares who guard the shores.
What is meadow cream? My mother and I love making Redwall foods, and we want to be able to add the final touch of meadow cream, but we don't know what it is. Right now we're using whipped cream, pudding, and creamcheese.
Meadow cream is cream flavoured with the honey and sweet herbs of the meadow, or any alternative you want to try (Yours sounds delicious).
I was wondering if you were ever going to make a book with all the poems and songs from your books?
It is something to think about, but I would far rather carry on writing more adventures.