Interview with the author of a bestselling novel in Jute: view article

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INTERVIEW WITH THE AUTHOR OF THE BESTSELLING NOVEL "CROSSPATH"

This part was written by @RomajiMiltonAmul and is posted here based on his request.

If you've been keeping up with the Neviran language local literature scene, you've probably heard of Marcy Greene's serial novel, CrossPath, from the controversy surrounding her use of Jute as a setting. Greene is an immigrant to Jute from Nevira, and she's been at spearpoint for not using the history of Jute properly. Not just that, but she shows a Jute below the ideals we hold it to, some say that it comes from a place of bias against the people of Jute.
We decided to sit down with Ms. Greene, who just released her second chapter, It's Never That Simple, to find out her reasons for writing a story that's drawn such ire from traditionalists.

The Jute Reporter:Thanks for sitting down with us in Sitti, how was the train ride here from Netal?
Marcy Green: Well, it was pretty nice, first time I've been back here since I arrived in Sitti since when I got here from the boat. When I arrived here, I'd never think I'd get an interview over a story I've written.

JR: Oh? Really? Are you not a career author? What is or was your day job?
MG: Actually, I'm a mathematician, came here because of some interesting papers of those who worked here. Mathematics, especially at high levels, can be pretty unintuitive, so while what I saw wasn't proving anything new, the way they did it was interesting. Of course, no one here really has an email address, and regular mail is pretty slow, so I first came over to talk to the authors in person.

JR: So what made you decide to start writing a novel rather than papers? Have you written fiction before?
MG: Well, I was a big fan of science fiction, before I came over here. I brought some books over with me, but eventually I finished them, and wanted more. I looked through a bookstore, and found nothing of the kind I liked. I remembered a creative writing class I took in college, and I decided to think about the kind of story I'd like to see. And, I have, but only short stuff, like, smaller than chapter one, and a long time ago.

JR: Did you anticipate this kind of reaction when you released the first chapter?
MG: No, not at all. I'm actually pretty glad it's gotten attention at all, since no one has really released something like this here, and had it get into the paper. Not only that, but a national paper. It's been an amazing success.

JR: ... I was talking about the negative reception to your work from those in your own town. People have said that you should add a new native protagonist, for one. What is your response to critics?
MG: Oh, that. Here's the thing, the fact that people care enough to say bad things about it, in a way, is a sign it's doing well. As for the nationality of the protagonists, I'll say that there's so many stories you already have with native protagonists. If you don't want to read a story where the protagonists are foreign, that's fine. But not everyone worth telling a story about is a normal citizen by birth. Sometimes, they're people like me.

JR: ... But what about complaints about how your depiction of Jute seems highly biased against foreigners, with some seemingly hating her for her place of birth? Do you feel like that's fair to the good people of Jute?
MG: Well, I can definitely see why that's unpopular, but unfortunately, that's grounded in fact. I've seen it myself, what with the response to having Nattly and Eko as protagonists. About how some people say I shouldn't write about a place I wasn't born in. It's a real issue, that Jute does need to address for the sake of its standing in the world. The world is an international place, even if you don't accept it. It's not just Jute that has this issue, of course, but Jute does tend to ignore it.

JR: Now uh, besides the political content, you've also raised questions about the plot, like the inclusion of aliens, Why did you give them such a large role?
MG: I wanted to make a science fiction story, but make it still set on Jute, and recognizable as such. So, to get both of those things, I decided on having Starswimmers as a sort of, mentor role for Nattly. I mean, it's hard to get more foreign than she is, but they definitely are. Plus, I did want to write a sci-fi story, and aliens are definitely sci-fi. It gives the story a unique flair.

JR: It's definitely unique. What kind of things do you want people to look out for in your novel?
MG: I think people should pay attention to how people turn against the protagonists, and if they might do the same. Plus, what you might have done in her situation. It's a novel to think about, and I hope people enjoy the mysteries inside.

JR: Well, thank you for coming today.
MG: Thanks for having me.
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You can read CrossPath at bookstores that stock it nationwide, or online at WattPad here.

FOREIGN MEDIA INCREASINGLY POPULAR, NOVELS ISLAND FAVORITE

This part was also written by @RomajiMiltonAmul and is published with some editings:

It's not just Ms. Greene who's making an impact on the world of media on Jute. Overseas works have become increasingly popular on the island, over the past few weeks, leading many to ask why. The trend has been for worldwide media to be glossed over in preference for local hits. “The Green Revengers”, a Lugidan superhero movie, has been particularly heavily imported, with almost every theater in the country having a copy, despite it being set in the fictional Angland, without a single Jutean character, a normal requirement for success. One could attribute its success to the lack of a developed Jutean movie industry, but the same can't be said for Hitting the Alabaster Road, which is outselling many local hits. Some say this change is natural, as Jute changes demographics, while others say this is cause for alarm for Jutean culture. Those inclined towards a more internationalist outlook posit that the nationality of a work doesn't determine its quality, only the drive of the creators. ✎ Edit Article ✖ Delete Article

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