Meet Nicola Penfold
Nicola Penfold has quickly become one of my favourite authors. Her stories are full of love for the natural world, engaging characters and absorbing plots, making them perfect for capturing the interest and imagination of readers young and old. It is a delight to welcome her to the Bookshelf today…
1. Your books are full of love for the environment with beautifully described settings. Are you inspired by places you have travelled to or is much of your travelling done in your imagination?
Both! Where the World Turns Wild, my first book, was definitely inspired by holidays in the Lake District, both as a child and now in my adult life. Between Sea and Sky was inspired by daytrips to the Essex coast – the miles of mudflats, how tidal it is, and a mudlarker’s dream! But this last book, Beyond the Frozen Horizon, is set in the high Arctic, in Svalbard, a place I’ve never been to. I had to make my imagination work much harder, and harness all the tools of the Internet (YouTube videos can be a writer’s friend!). Also, books came into their own – I was very inspired by an adult book, a ghost story, that Michelle Paver has written, Dark Matter (the scariest book I’ve ever read!).
The thing I found hardest was thinking about levels of light – my book is set in the approach to winter, as the polar night is falling. I was writing through winter in the UK and found myself getting up early, when it was still pitch-black outside, and walking out to the summerhouse at the bottom of my garden to write. I think it all paid off – in my head, Svalbard, and certainly the ghost town of Pyramiden where my story is set, seems very real to me now. Of course, if I ever do visit for real, it may be different entirely!
2. Does the action which has been taken to protect the environment in ‘Beyond the Frozen Horizon’ reflect the actions you would take if you were in charge?
Yes, I think so. I’m a real advocate for wildernesses and rewilding. In my first two books I’d achieved this via a disease, and then climate and ecological collapse. I wanted to try a more optimistic route this time! Some crucial things have been law around the world – fossil fuels have been left in the ground, transport has been made more sustainable, meat and dairy consumption have drastically reduced, as well as plastic and fast fashion. Also, crucially, huge vast wilderness zones have been set up, allowing natural landscapes to soak up carbon and act as vital refuges for wildlife. We need to think big and bold. We’re running out of time.
3. If you weren’t allowed to write another book with an environmental theme, what would you choose to write about?
Great question. Space, I think. It’s another great wilderness to explore!
4. Rory is an amazing character- so believable – so ‘ordinary’ -and so full of determination and resilience. Did you have anyone in mind when you were developing her personality?
My daughters I think, and many other amazing young people I’ve come across through them, and more recently on school visits I’ve done. And then looking back too, to myself at that age. I think growing up is hard! I definitely had times when I felt I didn’t fit in, that I was too quiet, or unpopular, or bookish, or just somehow, undeniably, not part of the crowd. I wanted Rory to go on a character journey as well as a literal one. She finds her strength in the wilderness. It isn’t about changing or being any different at all, it’s about finding herself. Having the confidence just to be herself and to know that’s enough.
5. When reading for pleasure yourself do you prefer poetry, prose or non-fiction?
I love all three. Poetry has this amazing power, to tell absolute truths in a few lines. To make me gasp, or laugh or cry. To make me feel someone else has felt the exact same thing before. I also love non-fiction, especially about the natural world, for what I learn from it, little nuggets of wisdom, which then can make my life better. But my absolute favourite is definitely stories – because they’re long enough to lose myself in. To be someone else for a while!
6. What are you working on at the moment? (and please say it will be out soon!)
Oh thank you! I’m working on another wilderness adventure for Little Tiger, my brilliant publisher. I’m very excited about it but can’t tell you too much yet. Then after that, and between edits, I’ve got a couple of other ideas I want to explore. I seem full of ideas lately, and just need to discipline myself to sit down and start writing them! I’m the kind of writer who needs a deadline!
7. And lastly- and most importantly according to my niece- what is your favourite cake?
Ooooh, tricky. But I am going with chocolate concrete. It reminds me of school – a gorgeous, warm, tray-backed square of scrumptiousness at breaktime. We make it at home now and it’s so easy! It’s definitely a treat, it’s basically just sugar, butter, flour and cocoa power. But its so good, and sometimes simple things are the best.
Couldn’t agree more about the cake!! Many thanks to Nicola for joining me today. I can’t wait to read whatever is coming next…
You can find out more about Nicola on her website and find her on Twitter @nicolapenfold and Instagram @nicolapenfoldauthor
You can read my review of Beyond the Frozen Horizon here.
