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Beyond The Words, Past
A Science Fiction / Fantasy Column
By Steven Shrewsbury


Tim Lebbon on his novel DUSK

Steven Shrewsbury: Since I was familiar with your horror novels, I was thrilled to see you take on a dark edged fantasy novel. Could you tell us a little about Dusk?

Tim Lebbon: Dusk is a fantasy novel. Alternate world, different flora and fauna, unusual landscapes … but it’s very, very dark. It’s been called a horror writer’s fantasy novel, and in a way I suppose it is. But I’m not just a horror writer. Dusk explores a world going to ruin after the removal of magic, and what happens when magic seeds itself once again. Obviously, there’ll be lots of people who want it. Some good, some bad … some plain evil.

 

Steven: What prompted you to write a fantasy novel?

Tim: It was an idea I’d had for a while, and I fancied trying it. That’s about it. I haven’t read much traditional fantasy, but I wanted to try writing something in a totally new world, where I could make up all the rules, religions, societies … everything. It was very liberating, and I think it turned out pretty well.

 

Steven: I see Dawn will be released next year. Will you take another journey into fantasy novels in the future?

Tim: Yes, there’ll be more novels set in the world of Noreela. They’ll probably be stand-alone novels – no trilogies, or decologies. I’ve got loads of ideas, and I believe it’s a very rich world that I hope to visit again and again.

 

Steven: Who are some of your favorite fantasy or S&S authors of the past? Did any of them inspire you to want to tell such a tale?

Tim: See above … I really haven’t read that much traditional fantasy or sword & sorcery. Lord of the Rings, Kane, Mark Chadbourn, some David Gemmell, Erikson, a few short stories and novellas. I hope that the fact I haven’t read much shines through in the novel. It’s certainly provoking differing and extreme reactions: some readers say it’s reinvented the genre, while others slam it for being clichéd.

 

Steven: Do you read any new S&S or fantasy?

Tim. Not much.

 

Steven: You certainly pulled no punches in style or content in Dusk. I really enjoyed the brutal realism. Do you agree it's important to tell a good story rather than try and stifle oneself to sensitivities in a different genre?

Tim: Oh, absolutely. I’ve had a few readers praising the book but complaining about the bad language and sex. As if people don’t swear or fuck in a fantasy world! For me a story has to be realistic, and if I’m gathering a few people together to face tremendously trying circumstances, they are going to swear. And as swear words should have an effect on the reader, using made-up words just won’t work. It’s real life in a fantasy world.

 

Steven: Did you approach this project any differently than your horror novels?

Tim: Only in that I had much more freedom to create. I went a bit wild, had a great time, creating creatures and races of people, places and things, histories and religions and civilisations. It was wonderful! But in the end, I set out to tell a good story in an engaging manner, which I think is how I approach pretty much everything I write.

 

Steven: Well, thank you for answering these questions, Feel free to plug away and upcoming projects or appearances.

Tim: Thank you. Best way to plug future books is to reference my websites. My main website is www.timlebbon.net, and a website devoted to Dusk and Dawn is at www.noreela.com

 

TIM LEBBON THANK YOU VERY MUCH!


2006 Past Columns

Tim Lebbon on his novel DUSK

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