Trudi Canavan Interview
06/12/2004 . Source: Ben Sharpe 

Fantasy author Trudi Canavan on the Black Magician trilogy, a world where some humans have evolved the ability to use magic - an energy that is natural and has no link to gods, demons, the land or any notion of good or evil. The catch is that to release and develop their ability all magicians must be taught by another ...

Could you tell us a little bit about the world and mythology of The Black Magician trilogy?

The world of The Black Magician trilogy is a world where some humans have evolved the ability to use magic - an energy that is natural and has no link to gods, demons, the land or any notion of good or evil. The catch is that to release and develop their ability all magicians must be taught by another.

This limitation has shaped the development of civilization. I figured there are two ways it could go: if the magicians were weak, you'd have your typical persecuted witches scenario; if the magician were powerful, however, they would be respected - or at least obeyed! So these magicians would eventually become the highest members of the highest class, and when it came time to choose who to teach, they would turn their nose up at the prospect of teaching anyone from the lower classes.

So, of course, I threw in a magically powerful character from the lowest end of society. (evil laugh)

How do you go about building such a complex world?

If anything, it was a matter of de-complicating things. I pared your typical fantasy world back to the simple idea I described above, and tried to think of how this would really influence the growth of a society. I cut out all the elements of fantasy series that plenty had been written about already: dragons, elves, fairies, magic swords, prophecies, quests and royalty. Then I set about writing a ripping yarn with lots of what I love the most about fantasy - magic and good characters.

Have you always been interested in magic?

Yes, though I don't believe in it! I'm a sceptic, through and through. But I do love to imagine what the world would be like if magic did exist. Nothing like the world we live in, I'm sure!
Is it difficult to define workable laws for a society where magic is possible?
Yes. I wanted lashings of magic in the books, and the descriptions of how it worked had to sound as if it really was possible. The battle scenes were the hardest, and I had each mapped out from strike to strike .

There's a fair bit of political intrigue bubbling away in the background of the first book - and some fairly devious characters. Was power, and the problems and responsibilities inherent to it, something you wanted to explore when you embarked on the series?

Definitely. The first book this is all to do with class and wealth. Later the same questions arise in relation to magic itself. The first chapter in The Magicians' Guild was a dream I had after seeing a late night news report about the Barcelona Olympics. Apparently beggars and homeless people were being herded onto buses and taken to other cities so Barcelona would look nice for the Games. In my dream magicians were driving the poor out of a city. Ah, if only all dreams made for such good writing material. Mostly I wake up and think: "no, that's just silly".

The lead character, Sonea, is very strong-willed and determined - is there a certain amount of the author in her?!

I'm afraid not. She's the sort of girl who fights back when cornered, who speaks her mind. I'm nothing like that at all! And my aim has never been as good as hers either.

Without giving too much away from the later books, can you give us a hint as to how things might turn out for her?

Hmmm. She'll make some unexpected friends and terrible enemies. She'll learn some dark secrets and explore hidden ways. She'll know love, hate, fear and triumph. Hehe. I'm definitely giving away nothing here!

Which authors do you most admire, and which have had most influence on your writing?

Most Admire: good old Tolks, for a start. Ursula Le Guin, Guy Gavriel Kay, Robin Hobb, Tad Williams, and locally: Jennifer Fallon, Garth Nix and Juliet Marillier.
Most Influence: The above, but I have to add Raymond Feist, Louise Cooper, Tanith Lee, Mercedes Lackey as writers whose work I've learned from...

Would you say your writing has also been influenced by TV and the movies?

Probably. I have to admit I'm a movie junkie and I do enjoy most of the big tv shows like Buffy, Xena and Babylon 5. I really loved Ultra Violet, and wish that series had continued.

If you had to describe The Black Magician trilogy in one sentence, what would it be?

A tale of an ordinary poor girl with extraordinary powers claiming her place in the world only to face a terrible choice and an even more terrible enemy.

If you became trapped in the world you had created, where would you go and what would you do?

Yikes! I'd find that nice blank place on the map where nothing happens and lay low.

When can we read the next instalment?!

The Novice will be available for you reading pleasure in July of this year.

Thanks to Orbit Books (and Ben Sharpe) for permission to post this interview. For more details of their SFF authors and books, visit Orbit at www.orbitbooks.co.uk