Author Q&A

In late April, Favel Parrett joined us to answer questions about WHEN THE NIGHT COMES. The Q&A is below.

Also, I recommend you watch this short video in which Favel talks about the photos that triggered her to write When The Night Comes:
https://www.bookbrowse.com/author_interviews/full/index.cfm/author_number/2463/favel-parrett#interview

And check out her first novel, Past The Shallows:
https://www.bookbrowse.com/reviews/index.cfm/book_number/3049/past-the-shallows

Thank you!

Davina (BookBrowse Editor)

Q. I like the short chapters in the book told from the perspectives of Isla and Bo. What made you decide to tell this story from both the perspectives of a young female child and a 30-ish year-old male?

A. While I was writing about Nella Dan and Hobart, two particular voices came to me. One of a young girl stuck in this new town, and one of Danish sailor. It was a totally organic thing and both of the voices came as 'I' - first person. This was strange for me because I usually write in third person. I didn't know if the two voices and stories could work together - and a few times I nearly abandoned the whole project. But in the end, the short chapters started to work together and tell a story. I hope that answers your question!

Q. I know you did a lot of research while writing this book. What was the strangest thing you did or encountered while researching for and writing this book?

A. Thanks for the great question. I think the strangest thing was merging with my character, Bo. I will explain! I was able to travel on a working polar vessel, the Aurora Australis, and sail to Antarctica from Hobart. The crew let me help out in the galley (kitchen) most days, and so day after day I would do the same tasks as my character would have done on Nella Dan. I looked out of the porthole at the same scenes he would have seen - Icebergs and grey skies, cape petrels and albatross. He was with me all of the time I was at sea and there were some mornings when I felt like a young Danish man at sea! strange I know, but it was wonderful and I loved every minute even though the work was hard. I could not have written the book without going to sea on a working ship. It made it all come to life.

Q. I was not able to find a name for Isla's brother. Did I miss it or did you intentionally not name him? If not, what were your reasons for this?

A. I never knew the name of the brother. This was something that I felt strongly about they whole time I was writing the first draft of the novel. To me - by calling him 'my brother' - it suggested a closeness between the sister and brother. He was Isla’s brother. They were together. I hope that makes sense.

My editor did not agree with me and thought that I should name the brother. I could not do it even though I tried. It just didn’t work.

In the end - I was able to keep it as I had intended.

What do you think ?

Q. What is the significance of the title of the book? How did you come up with it?

A. While I was on the ship - travelling to Antarctica, I kept writing the sentence 'when the night comes'. I knew it was significant but I hadn't worked out why yet. I think it means different things for both characters - Isla's fear of the night coming, and Bo remembering when the night came when he was a boy and his father was at sea.

Also - in the summer in Antarctica, the night never comes! The sun stays up the whole time.

Q. Book covers mean a lot for me. I will often read a book based on the appealing cover. Frankly, I do hope your final book will have a better cover. Only after reading the book was I able to figure that it was a red ship in ice that then tied it to the story. This is my opinion; perhaps others don't feel that way! It most certainly doesn't affect my position that you have written a most beautiful story.

A. I totally understand about covers! I feel the same passion for book covers. The truth is that authors get very little say. It is down to marketing and the publishers choice. If we really hate a cover, we can ask for changes but this is not always easy. The first idea didn't sit well with me - it was a ship on the ice but it was in the distance and it wasn't a red ship. So in the end there was a compromise. I must say I love this cover but I think that is because I am deeply in love with the ship Nella Dan.

I have 5 different covers for this book. I think the Australian cover is my favorite

Editor's Note: This link will take you to When The Night Comes at the Australian bookstore Dymocks so you can see the jacket: https://www.dymocks.com.au/book/when-the-night-comes-by-favel-parrett-9780733626586/#.VUWmr5PQPk0

Q. A beautiful story...my question relates to choice of a female child vs the male child as a main character. This thought occurred to me as the relationship between Bo and his father was more reminiscent to the young boy in the story now "without" a father.

A. Such an interesting point! It would make a very good story to follow. Honestly, I never thought of that!
My characters always come in some kind of organic way. they just come. I never wanted to write a female child point of view - but it came up and kept coming up in my writing. So I had to follow. Bo was easier because I really enjoyed being with him and writing his stories.

Q. Was there a reason that we do not learn of Isla's name until well into the story?

A. I think the reason is that the story was told from her point of view - 'I'. It didn’t feel right to name her often - or even at all. There is an earlier time in the novel when her name is mentioned - after the movies when she and her brother meet Bo for the first time. But it is such a small thing - and really I felt it didn't matter if the reader knew her name or not. It wanted the reader to be with her - or be her - if that makes sense.

I know it annoys some readers not knowing the names of characters. My editor wanted me to use her name more, but I resisted. I’m not sure if I got it right!

What inspired you to write this story? By the way, I loved it!! I look forward to reading more of your writings...