Emily B. Martin is the author and illustrator of the new middle grade novel Nell O'Dell Hates Quests. Her other books include A Field Guide to Mermaids. She is also a park ranger, and she lives in South Carolina.
Q: What inspired you to create Nell O’Dell Hates Quests?
A: The character of Nell was inspired by my oldest daughter, who tends to be cautious and pragmatic about her adventuring.
While a reluctant protagonist is nothing new, I loved the idea of layering Nell into a world where all forces seem determined to thrust her into the spotlight, from her famous ex-adventurer parents to the rowdy patrons of the Crossroads Inn where she works.
Q: How do you see the relationship between the text and the illustrations?
A: Fantasy illustrations give me the chance to explore a vast array of characters, creatures, and magical action. They allow me to vividly conjure the grandiose world that Nell is so determined to hold at arm’s length, which helps to heighten the tension throughout the book.
Plus, having a protagonist who is so clearly ill at ease with her surroundings is funny!
Q: The Booklist review of the novel says, “Written in a manner that will entice novices to the fantasy genre, the story also has plenty of twists to please those who already appreciate falling into an imaginary world.” What do you think of that description, and how did you create the world in which the story is set?
A: I hope that’s the case! The book is my love letter to the fantasy fare I grew up with, so it should be familiar to long-time fantasy readers, but it takes a lighthearted tone with the genre that hopefully feels accessible to non-fantasy readers.
The worldbuilding was also informed by my job as a park ranger, which of course is a government job. I love juxtaposing the mundane alongside the fantastic, so I was able to bring my experience with sometimes-tedious bureaucracy and overlay it with the chaos of the questing industry.
Q: How was the book’s title chosen, and what does it signify for you?
A: Nell O’Dell’s name was a purposeful creation—I wanted her nickname to be something frank and practical that she shortened from a more flowery given name, while her last name added whimsy that she couldn’t shake. It reflects her circumstances—all she wants is a quiet, predictable life, but she can’t get away from questing drama.
I worried that publishers might not like “Hates Quests,” but it’s punchiness has been just right for the tone of the book. When combined with the cover illustration, the title highlights the key tension between the protagonist and her world!
Q: What are you working on now?
A: Nell O’Dell’s sequel, Nell O’Dell Hates Bards! I’m thrilled that my publisher has opted to continue this series, and I’m excited to keep forcing Nell out the door on new quests.
Q: Anything else we should know?
A: I’ll be back in my park ranger uniform this coming summer, which always inspires tons of new book ideas! All of my books have a distinct “eco-fantasy” vibe to them, which comes directly from my ranger work.
--Interview with Deborah Kalb
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