51. Do you work in close collaboration with the artists that do the covers for your books so the characters look like you imagined them? (Amanda Brown, Brooklyn Park, Minnesota)
Yes, I design my covers and the artists send rough sketches for my approval. We have been working together so long now that both the U.K. and U.S. artists, Chris Baker and Troy Howell, are very much in tune with what I like. Both seem to still be able to delight and surprise me every time by coming up with more and more wonderful work!
52. Are you going to use Luke the Warrior (the father of Martin the Warrior) as a main character in any of your books? (Brian Cameron, Ft. Worth, Texas)
Luke is to be the subject of my next book. I bow to the many many of my readers who have asked for his story, so... it is on its way!!
53. In "Redwall," the ferret Killconey in Cluny's army is sometimes referred to as a "he" and other times as a "she." (At least, that's the way in the American edition.) Which gender did you intend for Killconey to be? (Katie Sullivan, Eau Claire, Wisconsin)
Killconey is a male character. It is a typesetting error which I have requested correction on, but which never seems to get done.
54. In the story Mattimeo there was a creature called the Wearet. It looked like a mix between a ferret and a stoat, so why is it called the Wearet? (Tom Offer-Westort, Duxbury, Massachusetts)
The Wearet is an invention of my own, a cross breed animal which is evil and unpleasant. So, like were-wolf I wanted it to sound bad.
55. Were did you get the idea for the Wraith in The Outcast of Redwall, and did you see Veil as a good guy in the end? (Peter Verdin, Sioux Falls, South Dakota)
The wraith was another invention (it suited my mood for that part of the story). As to Veil and his final motives, I deliberately left that for the reader to decide. I have had many opinions and the jury is still out.
56. Why didn't Mariel and Dandin get married in "The Bellmaker"? (Megan Sullivan, Chicago, Illinois)
They may have done, but maybe therein lies another tale.
57. Will you ever come out with a collector series (with a hard back cover) for those children who would like to keep your books in good condition for their own children to read? (Jon Grubb, Morehead, Kentucky)
Strange you should ask!! I definitely suspect telepathy amongst Redwall readers. This year, 1997, in both U.K. and U.S.A. their will be a tenth anniversary specially bound copy of Redwall available, with colour plates and new illustrated cover. If it is popular it will I am sure be followed by others.
58. Why are badgers, hares, and otters never chosen to carry the sword of Martin? (Lillian Stoner, Duxbury, Massachusetts)
They very well may be in other tales.
59. The Redwallers live in an abbey, that means they must have a religion, what religion are the Redwallers? (Joey Fink, Camarillo, California)
There is no religion in my stories and no hidden meanings. What you see is what you get. The Abbey is just a place of peace and comradeship, where creatures choose to live together.
60. How do you come up with actual story ideas? (Daniel Kessler, Roanoke, Virginia)
This is very difficult to answer. The stories start to come to me in all sorts of ways. I dream some of the parts and I find myself restless when a story starts to weave in and out of my thoughts. Then I must get down to writing. It won't let me rest until it is on the page!
61. When will your next book be released in Tasmania? (Australia) (Daniel Macreadie, Launceston, Tasmania)
Usually about three months after U.K. publication, so probably in September.
62. On the official Brian Jacques homepage, it says the Redwall animated series is in European-style animation. Is there a difference between American animation and European animation? (Spencer Wong, Seattle, Washington)
We find European animation to be a little softer and more 'traditional' looking.
63. Mr. Jacques, about how many schools and bookstores have you visited? (Jeffrey Larson, Wheaton, Illinois)
I couldn't begin to total them up. I have been doing visits for ten years now!!
64. Where do you come up with the ideas for the foods the characters eat? (Sam Hempel, Madison, AL)
I just think of what I would like to eat and embellish it. It comes from having a very frugal childhood.
65. I don't ((quite)) understand the difference between the Redwall TV shows and the Redwall movie(s). Will the TV show have its own 'original' adventures? Or will it stay close to the original storyline? (Matt Kessler, Silverdale, Washington)
The Redwall T.V. series will be a 13 part adaptation of Redwall. The movie will hopefully follow the story through the other books too!
66. What is your favorite food that you have written about in your books??? (Colin Strong, Lumby, BC)
I haven't a favourite as such, but I do enjoy the sweet concoctions. I am nota great sweet eater, but when I decide to indulge I like them full of lotsof goo and cream and icing and nuts on top, so I take great care over thosecreations.
67. Do all the male badgers in the Mossflower area sometime in their life go on their quest to the badger lord mountain Salamandatron?? (Matt Schwieger, St. Clair, Michigan)
Good question. Most of them feel the call to go questing at some time in.their lives.
68. On your homepage are the release dates of your new books. I have noticed that the United States is always the last to recieve your wonderful books. Please tell me why this is so. (Michael Eppley, Bothell, Washington)
My books are published first in U.K. because Random House are my originatingpublishers here. They are usually available between 9 and 12 months later inother countries, because Random House like to get their sales off to a goodstart first.
69. I was wondering, All the hares say Wot!Wot! What does Wot! mean? (Adam Preston, Dublin, Ohio)
They say wot wot because I like it, it sounds like British upper classtwaddle, and that is basically the hare character. It is properly spelt "what what".
70. Why did you choose an Abbey instead of, say, a castle? Are there more of them in England? (Amy Parkhurst, Lakewood, California)
I chose an abbey because it is a place of peace and tranquility, where ordinarily the cares of a busy and frantic world do not intrude.
71. I'd like to know if any your books have any influence from Tolkien's works? (James Gillenwater, Glasgow, Kentucky)
Not at all. I have never read Tolkien's work.
72. In 731 AD, an English monk, Bede, wrote "...the preaching of Bishop Ninian... Ninian's episcopal see, named after Saint Martin and famous for its stately church ... and is commonly known as Candida Casa, the White House, because he built the church of stone, which was unusual among the Britons."
Is this where the names and idea for Redwall, St. Ninian's and Martin the Warrior came from? (Michael New, Austin, Texas)
What impressive research work!! But as this is the first time I have seen this, my answer is no. I have been influenced by my own environment of red sandstone buildings and a diet of high adventure books as a child.
73. Do you draw the maps that are in the front of your books yourself, or do you tell the artist what to draw? (Nuala McCullagh, Chicago, Illinois)
Yes, I draw them in brief, and then the artist redraws the beautiful ones which appear at the front of the books. Incidentally a full Redwall map including all places in all the stories so far is being produced as a poster this year to celebrate the tenth anniversay of publication.
74. 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. (Emily Moody, Morgan Hill, California)
Add Jodrellio, and you have it.
75. 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? (Nathan Jones, Redlands, California)
This could be the basis of a future tale!!
76. Why do you call the abbey young ones Dibbuns? Does it mean anything? (Mariel Angus, Ottawa, Ontario)
It is a made up word for babies. It fits well I think.
77. 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"? (Rachel Schreyer, Vancouver, British Columbia)
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.
78. 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? (Sara Gousman, Panama City, Florida)
Veil is an anagram of the word Evil. It was explained in the story.
79. Do you have any other major hobbies or interests, aside from reading and authoring? (Nathaniel Barrett, Winchester, KY)
Surely you jest, I have no time for hobbies!
80. Is there a religion in Redwall Abbey, and if so, what is it called and who is the religious leader? ( Adam Nolin, Lansing, Michigan)
This is a question that I have answered many times. ABSOLUTELY NOT!
81. 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. (Christopher Barranco, Ewing, NJ)
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.
82. 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? (Adam Taylor, Portland, Oregon)
It is just like "er!" or "um!"
83. 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. (Monika Ulagaraj, Edmonton, Alberta)
A nice Idea but I have so many things going on that I can't think of another project at the moment.
84. 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? (Alexander Garkusha, Greenwich, Connecticut)
No it is essentially a world of country villages and communities.
85. When you compose the songs that some characters in your delightful books sing, do you have melodies for them or are they just poetry? (Stephanie Hicks, Traverse City, Michigan)
They all have tunes in my head and I sing them to myself.
86. 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? (Nephi Henry, Tell City, Indiana)
No parallels are intended. The Biblical names are strong and resonant, and many of them are also family names in my home.
87. I have heard you talking about a tenth anniversary for Redwall. With the special issue of Redwall being released, will there be other merchandise for sale? If so, what are a few of those I could be expecting? (Danielle Ellison, Olympia, Washington)
Watch this space. David will have all the details very shortly. There will be new additions to the Redwall trading cards, new bookmarks, and most special of all, a Redwall map in poster form with all the places so far included. Putnam Philomel are also putting out a Redwall competition over the 'Net with superb personalised Special Editions and a letter from yours truly to the winners.
88. Why do the books published in the USA have different covers than the books printed in Britain? (Bob Monahan, Arcola, Illinois)
U.S. publishers like to choose their own artists, but I still work with Troy Howell as I do with the English Artist, Chris Baker, and exchange ideas for my covers. I love the latest U.S. cover.
89. 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. (David Binns, Richmond, Virginia)
No no, the name is based on Tsarina, with a 'mean ' streak in the middle, I liked the hissing-cat-like quality of it.
90. Mr. Jacques, I love the cover artwork for your books. How did you originally choose the artists? (Morgan Sellers, Carmel, California)
As I have said above, 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.
91. 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? (Olivia Wilkinson, Elk Point, South Dakota)
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.
92. 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? (Gavin Radkey, Spokane, Washington)
Wait and see!!
93. 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? (Ruth Toner, Doylestown, Pennsylvania)
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.
94. 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. (Elizabeth Bauer, Appleton, Wisconsin)
Meadow cream is cream flavoured with the honey and sweet herbs of the meadow, or any alternative you want to try (Yours sounds delicious).
95. I was wondering if you were ever going to make a book with all the poems and songs from your books? (Jesse Isaac, Pueblo, Colorado)
It is something to think about, but I would far rather carry on writing more adventures.
96. Where did you come up with the name for the "Dibbuns"? (Andrew Brommelhoff, Sandy, Utah)
It just seemed a cosy roundish cuddly name for toddlers, it just came to me.
97. Considering that you started out writing Redwall stories for the blind, have any of your books ever been published in Braille? If so, which ones? (Lacey Volk, Carnegie, Pennsylvania)
Each of my books is available to the National Library for the Blind here in Britain and each has been translated into Braille as it has been published. The Library runs a free lending service to all blind people here and does tremendous work.
98. In response to one of the questions from your readers, you said that you sing the songs in your books to yourself as you write. In the audio cassettes of Redwall, will you be the voice of the singer? (Leah Jarvis, Copper Center, Alaska)
I sing some of the songs and other actors sing those of the characters they are playing.
99. Several times in "Martin the Warior" Martin refers to "the warrior's code". Is this simply what is just and right, or is there a specific "Warrior's Code"? (Heidi Lange, Redding, California)
The warriors code is the code of honesty, friendship and as you say doing what is just and right.
100. In "Redwall" Foremole exclaims that he will give the rats "'Owd 'arry." What does "'Owd 'arry" mean? (Nils Enevoldsen, Seattle, Washington)
This is a country expression, one of the names for the devil is Old Harry!! So it is like saying 'there will be the devil to pay' and of course in Molespeak Old Harry becomes 'Owd 'arry'
