Leila Aboulela - River Spirit

Summary

In this insightful interview, author Leela discusses her approach to writing historical novels, her preference for learning history through fiction, and the cultural dynamics between the West and non-Western societies. She also touches on Aberdeen's evolving art scene, highlighting its festivals, growing diversity, and vibrant music scene. The conversation offers a deep dive into the author's creative process, cultural reflections, and local developments in the artistic landscape.

Takeaways

• 😀 The author blends historical facts with creative fiction, using details like lunar dates and weather conditions to add realism to the narrative.
• 😀 The process of writing historical fiction feels like detective work, piecing together clues to create a vivid, believable story.
• 😀 Cultural clashes and misunderstandings between Western and non-Western societies are explored, with the author emphasizing the importance of diversity and tolerance.
• 😀 The author is interested in continuing to write historical novels, particularly about Colonial Sudan and Scottish characters interacting with that context.
• 😀 Fiction is preferred by the author as a means of learning about history, as it allows for emotional connections to the characters and events.
• 😀 The author believes that historical truths can be more captivating than fiction, with the truth itself often being an extraordinary story.
• 😀 Aberdeen, the author's home city, has seen significant changes, with a growing and vibrant cultural scene that includes literature and arts festivals.
• 😀 The Word Festival and Granite Noir festival are key events in Aberdeen, attracting writers and artists from various fields.
• 😀 The local music and street arts scenes in Aberdeen are thriving, making the city an exciting place to visit for cultural experiences.
• 😀 Aberdeen's natural beauty, including its castles and countryside, adds to the charm of the city, making it a special place in Scotland.
• 😀 The author emphasizes the importance of preserving cultural richness, suggesting that the world is better for its diversity in languages, traditions, and practices.

Q & A

How does the author approach historical accuracy in their writing?

The author uses various methods to ensure historical accuracy, such as referencing Islamic lunar dates to determine the phases of the moon during key events in the story. They also pay close attention to specific historical details, like the weather or the night sky, which helps to bring the setting to life in a realistic way.

What role do cultural clashes play in the author's writing?

Cultural clashes are a recurring theme in the author's work. They explore the misunderstandings that arise between different cultures, particularly between people of color in Western societies. The author reflects on how these clashes can lead to greater problems but also highlights the richness and diversity of different cultures.

What is the author's view on learning about history through fiction versus factual accounts?

The author prefers learning about history through fiction because it is more engaging and allows readers to connect emotionally with the characters and events. They find factual accounts to be dry and less immersive, whereas historical fiction offers a deeper, more compelling exploration of past events.

What future historical topics does the author hope to explore in their writing?

The author is interested in writing about Colonial Sudan, with the potential inclusion of Scottish characters in the narrative. They aim to delve into the experiences of these characters within the context of colonial life, continuing their exploration of history through fiction.

How does the author feel about the diversity of cultures and languages in the world?

The author values the richness of different cultures and languages, believing that it is a loss to homogenize societies and erase these diverse cultural identities. They express that the world would be poorer if all cultures became 'cookie cutter' figures.

What is the author's perspective on the changes in Aberdeen's arts and culture scene?

The author observes that Aberdeen has seen a significant transformation in its arts and culture scene, with the development of various festivals like the Word Festival and Granite Noir. They also mention the growing street art and music scenes, reflecting a more vibrant cultural landscape in the city.

How does the author engage with the setting of their stories?

The author uses vivid details of the setting to immerse readers in the environment of the story. They give particular attention to elements like the night sky and geographical features, using these to enhance the authenticity of the story’s backdrop.

What does the author think about the evolving role of people from diverse backgrounds in the West?

The author acknowledges that more people of color are growing up in the West and are fully integrated into Western societies, often speaking perfect English and feeling uncomfortable in places where their cultural background isn't dominant. However, the author also sees value in reflecting on different cultures and understanding their perspectives.

What does the author find exciting about writing historical fiction?

The author finds historical fiction exciting because it allows for a deeper emotional connection with the characters. They believe that the real stories of history are often so compelling that they are worth telling, and fiction offers a way to make those stories more relatable and engaging.

Why does the author believe that history is often more fascinating when told through fiction?

The author believes history is more fascinating through fiction because it adds an emotional and narrative dimension that factual accounts lack. While historical facts provide important context, fiction allows for a more immersive exploration of the human experience during those times.