Interview with the Author of Dunbar Woods

You've lived in New York State, Utah, Maine, and Washington State. How did growing up in New York State inspire you?

Beth: My desire to write a novel about a magical woodland was inspired by the woods near my childhood home. Between the ages of ten and twelve, I spent a lot of time there, going for hikes and playing with my friends and siblings.

Beyond a thicket of blackberry vines, we discovered a secret world, a marshy area where a shallow depression was dotted with islands of trees and shrubs. In the spring, melting snow and rainwater filled the depression and turned it into a shallow pond. In the winter, the water would freeze, and we tried to skate on the rough ice. “The swamp”—for lack of a better name—became the center for outdoor adventures and games of make-believe.

How did you come up with the idea for Glimmeridge?

Beth: For many years, I toyed with the idea of using the swamp as the setting for a fantasy. At the same time, I became fascinated by Celtic folklore, especially the tale of Tam Lin. In the original story, a human kidnapped by the faery queen is saved by his brave and clever sweetheart. My imagination transformed Tam into a young man of the Fair Folk who is rescued by his human friend. I expanded the swamp, added the flora and fauna of a Pacific rainforest, and turned it into Glimmeridge.

What sources did you use while writing Dunbar Woods?

Beth: As I developed the plot of Dunbar Woods, I read more Celtic folk tales, as well as stories from other cultures. Celtic Myths and Legends by Peter Berresford Ellis was an excellent resource. I also enjoyed The Serpent Slayer, a collection of international tales by Katrin Tchana and Trina Schart Hyman. I love the strong women in these stories and the themes of friendship, loyalty, courage and kindness. As Grandma Ellingsen tells Keely, folk and fairy tales have universal appeal.

Other resources were The Celts by Aedeen Cremin, The Ancient Celts by Patricia Calvert, Celtic Baby Names by Judy Sierra, and numerous articles on Wikipedia about the history, geography, and culture of Celtic countries. Even when writing a fantasy, I like the background to have an authentic feel. However, I didn’t want to be pinned down by technical details, so I created the Fairlies, a group of Fair Folk who have been forced to adapt to the modern world. 

Are your characters based on anyone you know? Who?

Beth: The human characters in Dunbar Woods were mostly inspired by my children and their high school friends. I also had many talented friends in high school and college, and I shared Keely’s feelings of inadequacy as I struggled to “find my passion.” Grandma Ellingsen is a tribute to the librarians in my family, including my older sister and two aunts. My parents helped inspire my love of books, and I really did have a fifth-grade teacher named Mrs. Schaefer. I’m indebted to her for her encouragement.

What about the sequel to Dunbar Woods?

Beth: Unfortunately, I have not been able to recapture the spontaneity of my childhood, and I find novel writing to be a challenging craft. The sequel to Dunbar Woods is a work in progress--I’ve already done two rewrites. The plot involves a band of humans called “the Korrigheen” who, long ago, took an elixir of immortality. As a result, they became an invincible force, and Queen Banba thinks they are planning to invade the Fairlie realm. She asks Tam to develop his magical gifts in the hope that he can destroy this enemy. However, as Tam explores the Korrigheens’ underground world, he learns that many of them are children who only want to change their fate. 

Dunbar Woods is available through Peaks Island Press.