Authors Note: Aww pftdftdf Popsicle I just noticed someone already used the 'Novel' pun for a storyline on the front page. Oh well, anyway this chapter will be mostly dedicated to trying to explain the Novel briefly and it's acclaim, of which to inform contributors of a general idea of the critical work of fictional fiction here and move the story along after. ~Brandygang
Cutting away from our wish-born boy at the moment, he didn't notice that his unintended wish had some slight consequences for the world. But only slight, mainly the releasing of the 8th Novel UnderRoot 2 weeks early. The book would hit shelves three days later, but the night before it's delivery release, which was now the night before Jon's wish, the author Martha R.R. Goodman, a Finnish literary starchild of excellence beloved by many, had sat down with An American news anchor to do a 20 minute interview on the anticipated release of her new book. We join them now.
"So Martha... M-aauth-rtha... am I saying that correctly?" The news reporter began.
"Yes that's perfectly fine. You have to roll your tongue a little, but it's not too difficult." The author replied.
"Yes, ok well Martha, your books have sold a combined total of 50 million copies, reaching critical acclaim. They've gone on to influence literature, academia, a radioshow, and you're even in talks for a developing live-action TV series. How does it feel? Did you ever expect the story to reach the status that it did?"
Martha straightened her plaid blouse out near the chest and folded her hands neatly on her crossed legs.
"Hmmhmm. It's been a long journey, from the mere scribbles I called a draft over 2 decades ago. I never thought a few simple childhood ideas I had in my day would blow up so big, and yet, here we are. It's even a little overwhelming sometimes, did you know UnderRoot has a rather large internet following aswell? They have something they call a 'Fandom' circumventing, and there's thousands of pieces of fan art and fanfics, and even smutty pics of my characters, and the occasional Roleplay. I'm pretty taken back by it, but it's been a wonderful and gracious experience overall."
"Yes, quite. Well now let's get into the meat of the story. I consider myself a diehard fan of these novels, I love them. They do have a very whimsical, yet mythical quality of them. The way you combine fairy tail themes and magical motifs, with modern day ideas and Post-Modern concepts, it's really quite incredible. I haven't ever seen any folktale modernized in such a unique way as you have."
Martha squinted and fledged slightly, wailing her hands expressively as she took joy in explaining herself, yet showing expressive denial trying not to flatter herself.
"Oh thank you! I'm glad you're a fan of my work, but really I don't consider the mystical themes or modern ideas any more different than what I grew up with."
"Is that so?" The anchor asked, bending over slightly.
My parents were very loving and tolerant, and village I grew up in was a remote, yet diverse little intersection of wonder up in Finland, despite the inclusion it was a magical place go grow up. We were a bohemian little clan, and it definitely inspired some of the setting and characters in my works."
"Ah yes, the characters, such a huge beloved part of the franchise. Let's talk about them for a second, or maybe more." They both laughed and Martha said "Oh of course, Lets."
"In the last Novel, Under Root and The Fables of Mimsy, we found out Montrav is not only a Valittu Velho, Wonderlord of the chosen neophyte and magical conjurer supreme, but is destined to bridge the gap between the surface outsiders, and the kindly but insular maan asukkaat, the earthdwellers and critterkins of the subterranean village we've explored so much. We've long suspected of him being from magical origins and highblood, being destined for great things."
"Yup, that is true." Martha verified.
"But now that we have confirmation, it seems like we've come such a long way from the young elvish little mousy boy Montrav, his..err her-"
"You can refer to him as a him. Some of the more reclusive and interesting elements, such as Montrav's role as an androgynous cavern dwelling prince have gone south. A lot of other characters have had their races, genders and sort of identities revealed more over time as the series expanded, owing that my editors and publishes wanted the series to be more "Politically friendly", ensuring I cut off on some of the more indulgingly oblique elements, but what can you do?" The author said shrugging.
"But he's still fine with wearing a dress right? Or acting more feminine than the lead female character?" The interviewer asked.
"Only if tea is served. And it must be very fine tea at that."
They both chuckled, and the interview continued.
"Yes well, Montrav went from a small yet affluent child, head always stuffed in a book, to the powerful and brave adventurer facing the pimeys miasma, the Groggle Influente that had transformed the Princess into a wicked temptress in the first book, requiring the Harmony Bifurcation, which created most of the problems after the first book. It seems like he's made so many companions since than, and come a long way. Does it feel reliving or daunting to know the character's you've developed which started out as humble children, are now more grown up and developed than ever before?"
"It is sometimes, and I'll tell you I always struggled with this myself, perhaps because the character is so personal to me. The idea of coming out of your shell, of arriving from humble roots to acquiring grandeur and nobility, of rising to something more has not only been a staple of my work, I think it's an adage that speaks deep within all of us. It's also about overcoming oneself and annihilating the Self and flaws, the darkness and evil that roots within us, as metaphorically shown in the 3rd installment when Montrav fended back the Plaguebringer, stopping his villages quarrels with the lumi temppuja, snow fairies, and horned oranssi sarvet, Troglodyte denizens glubbing and culling each other about in the lower Dens of the caverns. It was also a very emotional arc for Aliyah Adriana, who overcame some of the toughest challenges yet since her introduction." The proud author explained.
"Lovely Lil' Anna, the Spring Maiden! We all love her, let's talk about Aliyah. Many groups have praised the characterization of her especially. Spunky and practical, both headstrong and headsmart, and yet oddly charming, she brings new definition to the perspective of femininity. Was that the original plan when you wrote her?"
"Well it's hard to speak on the matter, but I always did fancy her a rather brash independent character. At the beginning, she's considered very much a tomboy, and a very playful and mischievous one at that, being a natural descendant of a trixster deity and a fay Duchess. One of my favorite parts about her was developing her interest overtime, how she took on more responsibilities, found ways to embrace femininity without being as vain as her mother or self-absorbed as some other characters. She's clever yet subdued, playful yet serene and direct, innocent yet forward in her decision. She found her own path, and defined herself outside of what was expected from her, and I think that's a lesson we can all learn from."
"Yes, she really defined herself rather well." The interviewer added. "Some of the rest of the cast have taken interesting turns as well. The brutish dwarf Galvin found Elvish religion and became infatuated with a druid of the guardian classes, the humble and "ScarredyCat" Nyatian Katrina took up the royal guard and got over her fear of shamans, and even Montrav's rival Pontifav, since his shocking gender change, which caused quite a stirrup, has become quite endowed with the Equine Garrison of the Oakleafson Den. It seems like the whole forest and all the root vÀestö of root paratiisi, above and below ground is growing up."
The author gave a firm smile and played with her sleeves somewhat.
"That is true. The Shrine Druid's are even taking a liking to accepting outsiders and, ingrounders, oversiders, and abovegrounders. Pontifav, who was a hardened rival from the surface world and Montrav's foil has taken her new duties rather well, and-"
"Sheryl Cieljive? What of Sheryl" The reporter asked playfully. Martha laughed, and jabbed back putting her pointer over her lips.
"Sssh... we don't speak of Sheryl."
"That we don't. Many people were extremely shocked by one of Montrav's, I guess you could call 'Friend', the Archdemoness of Birchwhinny actions in the quintessential 5th book, the novel noted for it's darker tone, often entirely inferred to be attributed to her actions."
Martha continued to laugh, having to cup her hand over her mouth to hold in her slight fit. "Yes, she is.." Covering both hands over her head, she took a deep breath and continued. "She is a very polarizing character. People that are critical of her are rightfully so, but there are also reasons to root for her, or atleast like her as a character even if they cannot in good conscience reconcile with her immoral actions and behavior. I had wanted to try something more, racy... say morally ambiguous, to involve the main characters and test their principles, and say, Montrav's principles, and even say, the readers principles by introducing a character like that. Some love her and sympathize with her, and found her backstory touching, but I think the majority just think she's raw, crude, irredeemable and kind of a b-"
"A bitch?" The interviewer asked, as the author tried her hardest not to laugh with the biggest smile.
"I was going to say Burden, but that's probably true, certainly more fitting. Yes, hmmm definitely so. A bitch. And she's a huge bitch, many fans would say. Personally, I think so too myself, even if she's definitely one of the easiest ones to write." She cupped her face again briefly and laughed some more.
"Will we see more of her in this one?"
"Oh we most certainly will. Lovers or haters of Cheryl, expect to see more of her and her story, plenty more of her to fuel your opinions of her.
Somewhere over the internet, after that very moment, fans of a certain cult book series raged, flooding message boards and their blogs with rants and opinionated post about this newest revelation. As mods on UnderRoot fan-sites struggled to keep the ensuring arguments and heated spam down across forums, the little detail the lovely Ms. Goodman had revealed had set up a wave of panic across the fanbase everywhere.
They took a brief break and the interviewer, after checking their watch began to wrap things up.
"Well Ms. Goodman, you've told us plenty of fine details today. As a lover of literature and huge fan of your books, the stories you've told have enchanted and caught the attention of millions. With it's large cast of colorful diverse and well developed characters, a complex world and setting, plenty of daring adventures and well versed motifs and ideas, often philosophical as often as they are fantastical, I thank you for stopping by and sharing with us. Is there anything more you'd like to add before we have to cut you off?"
"Well, for one I'd like to thank you for having me on, and all the viewers that tuned in.."
"Why thank you! Thank you yourself for showing up and giving us your time."
"It was my pleasure, and thanks again. I'm very excited for this next Novel, it's the penultimate book in the series and a must read for fans out there. Tears will be had, it's an adventurous, emotional roller coaster of twist and turns and preps you for the climax of the Saga. UnderRoot: Harrowing Ascension, the Braided Tassel and Rooted Morning Glory will be on shelves in three days, please give it a read and give channel 69 news your time and appreciation for setting up this interview as I have. Good day everyone!" Martha announced, holding up a copy of the book. The cover featured an androgynous elfy looking pretty boy climbing a massive tower covered in thorny roots, reaching towards a radiating flower glowing from the top from which the roots were emanating.
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As Jon finished his shower, the interview concluded a night ago and re-aired on an early news station below, not that he was aware of that. Drying off with a towel, he thought fondly on the disappointment with the Novel, only to examine the note again and find it said something very different
Meanwhile, there was a "Ppphmmmf" sound right near someone's doorway that very morning. It had arrived.
