An interview with Author Darry Fraser of The Prodigal Sister!
Interview with author Darry Fraser!
Her newest novel The Prodigal Sister is out now from HarperCollins Au (HQ). Follow this link to see her exciting book video that will grab your attention!
I am a huge fan of Darry Fraser’s books so it was a real honour to get an advanced reader’s copy (thanks HQ Australia & Netgalley). (Read my review here.) This novel made my heart sing and race! Powerful, unforgettable and truly perfect in every way. I am happy to have Darry as my guest to chat about her newest achievement: the release of her historical fiction novel The Prodigal Sister.
Thanks so much for having me, Cindy. You’ve given me some great questions to answer – here goes …
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What is the inspiration behind the story and title The Prodigal Sister?
I’ve long been interested in forensic science and the advances in this technology in my lifetime, especially now by the number of cold cases being solved after years of baffling the authorities. So, doing what I do, I looked to the past to see where its origins began. Only a quick look and I saw that it could be dated back to 44BC – the first officially recorded autopsy performed on the body of Julius Caesar. Modern interest, relatively speaking, began in the 1800s. It was around about the year 1900 that the science was beginning to be more understood and accepted, and in particular, advances in France were being made. M’Sieur Lacassagne mentioned in The Prodigal Sister, was a real professor of forensic medicine in Lyon.
Trouble was, for me, not a lot of interest in science or study had reached the colony at the time of the story. Prudence had studied in Scotland, fully aware of this exciting science and unable to access it - being female her chances were almost nil. Also, in the Australian colonies, the police forces were way behind in their procedures due to the tyranny of distance limiting access to study and application. As well, there was resistance to new technology. I didn’t want to head any further into the 20th century, so the story had to be fashioned around what rudimentary science practices there were at the time.
What special knowledge or research was required to write The Prodigal Sister?
Including the historic forensic trail, and especially what the colonial police forces, physician and pathologists could grasp and utilise at the time, I had to understand an illness such as Huntington’s Disease. Very little was known of it at the time my story is set but what there was known, I was able to find and understand. (Took me a few goes though.)
Please provide three characteristics of Prudence North? Would you say Prudence is an unusual woman of her time? If so, why?
Prudence understands who she is. She’s a woman, daughter, a sister and she’s fully aware she has a brain in her head (intelligent). Although she doesn’t fight her way into her education, she doggedly remains focused and believes in herself. She’s realistic, must live and work within her time and her means. I think if I were to take her story further, she would battle along, eventually study and find work in the field she chose. But she would be many years older by the time she achieved it.
She was only unusual because of her interest in forensics and had had her opportunity to study at university. Everything else about Prudence would be much the same as her contemporaries – she wanted a home, safety, love, family. She wasn’t an outspoken woman on a soapbox, she wasn’t militant, brash. She just got on with it, like most women of her day.
Who is your favourite character in the The Prodigal Sister and why?
Ooh, hard one. I haven’t got just one. I love my main characters (Prudence, Jasper and Everard) but I have a soft spot for secondary characters. I think Delia (and her sisters) because they had such fun at their brother’s expense, Merridy because she was so unapologetically herself, and also Mungo Joe and his sister Louella. Mrs Kirby wasn’t bad either.
Why did you choose your Australian mystery to be set in 1900 Melbourne?
It would have been set earlier in the decade, but while things like university placements and degrees for woman had opened, they hadn’t advanced much before 1896; forensics certainly hadn’t. Being 12,000 miles from Britain and the continent— news, technologies and fashion took years to arrive. By 1900, Melbourne was renowned as being the cultural city of the southern hemisphere so ‘big names’ were on the theatrical scene, too.
The Prodigal Sister would make a great movie! Who would you want to play the character parts: especially Prudence North, Mr Darke and Mrs Merridy?
Gee, I’m a bit out of the loop these days. For Prudence – Sarah Snook; she immediately came to mind. For Jasper – I like the look of Jordan Fraser-Trumble (not a rellie). I saw him in The Legend of Ben Hall. Other than that, maybe Ryan Corr or a young Simon Baker, young Joel Edgerton. For Merridy – let’s see … Geraldine Hakewill (the 60s Miss Fisher).
What was the toughest scene in The Prodigal Sister to write and why?
The hospital scene. Back in the day the treatments for patients, medicinally and physically wasn’t so great. I tried to reflect what it would have been like but it was deemed too unsympathetic for modern readers, so it was tweaked. It’s still reminiscent of earlier practices, though — I didn’t want to move too far from the hard truth.
How long did it take you to write The Prodigal Sister and was it an easier or more difficult writing experience than your previous novels?
The first rough draft was about 6 months. That gives me an idea of who’s who and what’s what. Then I go back through it and fix/layer/add etc until I feel I have a rounded story.
The more experienced I become writing this style of story the more I learn about my own process, so it wasn’t more difficult, it’s just that each story is its own adventure and I mustn’t treat them the same in any aspect – character, setting, plot. Each story seems to ask for more. I love it more each time, too.
What theme/s do you hope your readers uncover in The Prodigal Sister?
My tried and true – keep going, work with what you’ve got and be who you are, you have a voice - you’re female, therefore, enough.
Are you a pantser or plotter writer? How did your natural writing process help or hinder the completion of The Prodigal Sister?
PANTSER … This could go either way help or hinder, every time. For that first draft, the ideas just pour out as the characters move along. Then out comes the ‘what-ifs’ and the ‘why-because’, so while I’m having fun getting it all down, it still has to be believable and that’s where my pantsering can get me trapped. I spend a lot of time going back over and over giving things – people, actions/reactions, outcomes - a reality check.
Having said that, I prefer pantsering. I get bored by my own plot so I never stick to it anyway (bit like writing a budget …). I don’t attempt to plot now.
What authors and/or books inspired you to become an author?
None in particular. I was always a storyteller, so way back in my early years it was the love of the tale, any tale, and the love of telling it. Now when I look back over the later early years, it was probably more movies /tv series that fired the imagination. That’s how I tend to write, too, as if I’m in a movie scene.
What book is currently on your bedside table waiting to be read?
I’ve just finished Michael Robotham’s When You Are Mine (I love his style) and my next read is The Happiest Man on Earth by Eddie Jaku. Not sure how I’ll tackle that one emotionally— but I’m going in tonight.
What three qualities do you possess that have proven to be useful as an author?
I have a hermit tendency – lately acquired, and under current circumstances. V handy. Even without Netflix, I can always entertain myself.
Goal orientated – must finish the job. V handy for author deadlines.
Love my dog (I’m sure that’s a quality) – I get exercise.
If you could time travel to do research for a novel, when and where would you go?
I’d go to the 1850s Victorian goldfields, but I’d stay out of sight (bit scary for a 20th century born softie). Then I’d skip ahead to the paddle-steamer era 1870s – 90s on the mighty Murray. I haven’t had the muse visit for a new book yet so not sure where my next research project will take me.
If you were having a dinner party, what favourite foods would you include? And what favourite authors from the past or present, would you want on your guest list?
Favourite foods – cheeses, served with an assortment of low GI crackers and veggie sticks for dipping, an Atlantic salmon dish and salad, maybe a chocolate satin (lighter than mousse) dessert.
Favourite authors – so many. Let’s see: Garry Disher, Michael Robotham, Jane Harper, Karen R Brooks.
Are you working on a new project? If so, can you share a little information of its content?
No, but I wish I was. I am ahead on my contracts, Story 2022 and Story 2023 are done and with the publisher, and that means I’ve written eleven full novels (one a privately commissioned historical fiction, one a modern crime story, neither published yet) and one novella since 2016. Maybe the muse has just taken off for a break. However, I think she’s booked her ticket home - there’s a tickle of a story around but I haven’t got hold of it yet. One thing’s for sure, it’ll happen.
Drop by Darry’s Website and read more about her and her writing and to also see a gorgeous book video of The Prodigal Sister! You don’t want to miss this. Also, pick up a copy of her latest release from your favourite bookstore/retailers. Then once you read The Prodigal Sister go back and get more of her novels as I am sure you won’t be able to resist! This lady knows how to tell a great story!
