Natalie Hyde is the author of the new middle grade novel Briarwood. Her other books include Swept Away. She lives in Flamborough, Ontario, Canada.
Q: What inspired you to write Briarwood, and how did you create your character Callie?
A: Inspiration for my writing usually comes from several different sources and then swirls together to create something new.
In the case of Briarwood, it started with an article I read while doing research for a nonfiction book. It was about nanoparticles and it mentioned that scientists had discovered that when they added light to water that contained specific nanoparticles, the water boiled in about 20 seconds.
This fascinated me but I wondered what that could possibly be used for. Then I remembered the steam technology of the Industrial age and how steam powered huge turbines, locomotives, and ships. But what if it powered small engines, too. What would happen then?
Then the setting came out of my memories of summer camps. When I was young, I was a Girl Guide and I loved going to Guide camp on Lake Huron each summer. So, these ideas combined to become the steampunk summer camp, Briarwood.
As for creating Callie, like many of my main characters, she is partly based on my own life experiences. Like Callie, I grew up in an immigrant household. I remember being embarrassed at times for being different—different clothes (for a while, my mother sewed my entire wardrobe), different food, different culture. But like Callie, I learned to rise above the bullying and forge my own identity.
Q: What do you think the novel says about secrecy?
A: There is a lot of secrecy in the book! But secrecy is not one thing: black or white, good or bad. It is a bit of both.
Sometimes secrecy can protect someone or something--like Archer’s work from being stolen or Hank’s reputation from being ruined by his brother’s actions. But it can also be damaging, like when someone hides bad intentions—the mole, or it raises the risk of danger that others could help with if they knew—the threat against Archer.
I think more than anything, the story shows that secrets usually don’t last—The truth will out, as the saying goes. Over time, secrets will be exposed and we have to deal with the truth.
Q: The Kirkus Review of the book called it an “inventive, immersive celebration of curiosity, courage, and learning.” What do you think of that description?
A: I love this description! It is a story of curiosity—starting back with Callie’s g-g-Grandfather Theo, Tesla, Archer, and up to the newest generation of bright scientific minds. It shows where curiosity and imagination can take us.
And often that curiosity needs courage. When you put forward new ideas, new technology, or even push back on ignorance, bullying, or hate, you have to be brave. I think many of the characters in Briarwood are brave—brave enough to be themselves, brave enough to face fears, and brave enough to fight injustice.
As for celebrating learning…that is something I firmly believe in and worry we are losing that when learning is ridiculed in the news, TV, or movies. I think those who push forward our knowledge of the world, our history, and ourselves should be the real celebrities.
Q: What do you hope readers take away from the story?
A: First of all, I hope that readers have fun. I also hope that the story incites a feeling of wonder—wonder at the world and at the possibilities of science.
I also want them to be left with a feeling of hope. As we stretch the boundaries of what we know and understand, so much can change for the better. The future isn’t something to be feared but to be excited for.
Q: What are you working on now?
A: As is usual with me, I am working on a few different projects. One is a nonfiction book about one of the first woman doctors in Canada, another is a middle grade fantasy story, and then I am just getting the first inkling for a new middle grade story.
Also, now that I have grandchildren, I wouldn’t mind branching out into a picture book—but we’ll have to see!
Q: Anything else we should know?
A: Just that if there ever was a steampunk treehouse camp, I’d be the first to sign up to go there!
--Interview with Deborah Kalb
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