Matilda Woods
About Author
Matilda Woods was born in 1989 and has been writing stories for the last seven years. She grew up in a small town near Canberra, Australia where she still lives today. She currently splits her time between writing middle grade fiction and working as a youth worker. When she was younger she loved reading fantasy novels but now writes in the genre of magical realism.
The idea for The Boy, the Bird and the Coffin Maker came to her one evening while out running with her dog, Lily. From this speck of an idea grew a tale that spans one year in the lives of two people: a frightened boy named Tito Bonito and a lonely old coffin maker named Alberto. Together, they dream of a future where they can both be free and then, with courage, set sail to find it.
Interview
THE BOY, THE BIRD AND THE COFFIN MAKER
SCHOLASTIC
MAY 2016
MATILDA WOODS' debut, The Boy, the Bird and the Coffin Maker, is an entrancing story of hardship, wonder and hope that would make a wonderful class reader as well as an individual read for children aged nine to 11 years.
Carpenter turned coffin-maker Alberto has given up on life until the arrival of a small, scared boy, Tito Bonito, who he comes to love. But what is Tito so scared of that he won't let anyone see him?
The story deals with some difficult issues, including death and domestic abuse, but the magical setting of Allora offsets this, together with the warmth between Alberto and Tito. The novel's emotional pull is perfectly honed and the 'story within a story' of the myth of Isola gives it a beautiful structure.
We asked author MATILDA WOODS to tell us more about THE BOY, THE BIRD AND THE COFFIN MAKER:
Q: This is your debut children's book; what took you into writing and what other work do you do?
A: Growing up I never thought about being a writer: I wanted to be a vet instead. But when I was 20 I had an idea for a story and decided to write it. That first story wasn't very good, but it did make me want to keep writing more. After a few tries I came up with the idea for The Boy, the Bird and the Coffin Maker.
When I'm not writing I work as a social worker with children in Out of Home Care. I really love that job too!
Q: The style of narration is one of the strengths of the story, how did you develop the narrator's voice?
A: lot of experimenting! The story was always going to be told in the third person but it took almost ten drafts before I was happy with how the narration flowed.
Q: You give the story a quasi-magical setting; was the town of Allora with its colourful houses, gorgeous stars and flying fish inspired by anywhere you have visited? How did your depiction of the town develop?
A: The town of Allora is based on the Italian town of Manarola. I haven't been there myself. I just saw a picture of the town on the internet one day and thought to myself "I'd love to set a story in a place like that." Then, when I had the idea for this story I thought the setting would be a good fit.
The development of the town was slow and it wasn't until I completed several edits with Scholastic that the town really came alive.
q: Although the story has a magical feel to it, you cover some difficult ground including illness, death and domestic abuse. Why did you decide to cover these areas?
A: I think adults try to protect children from issues like death and illness by not talking about them. But if you don't talk about things like that, what happens when a child suddenly experiences them?
For me, books are a great way to help children explore the bad things that can happen in life. There is a real sense of safety in reading a book: if things get too scary you can close the book and pick up another one. For me, a book would feel quite empty if it didn't at least touch on a deep, realistic issue.
Q: The key relationship in the story is that of the boy, Tito, and the old man, Alberto the coffin maker. Why did you decide to make that relationship the focus of the story?
A: Out of all the characters in the book, I felt like Tito and Alberto each needed a friend the most and also had the most to give. Tito needed a gentle adult figure to help him trust humans once more and guide him through the challenges that life throws up. While Alberto needed someone to remind him of the wonder that exists in the world and also give him a reason to keep living.
Q: Alberto began the story as a carpenter but becomes the coffin maker of the title, why did you change his occupation?
A: I wanted a clear physical representation of how Alberto's life changed when his family died. I wanted the reader to see that the death of his family completely consumed him: every moment he was awake he was thinking about death. Then, when Tito comes into his life, we can literally see Alberto returning to the world of the living.
Q: There is also a story within the story, 'The Story of Isola', which plays beautifully into the ending. Was there any place or myth that inspired your depiction of Isola?
A: I can't remember where the initial inspiration for Isola came from. But I do know it was always going to be a central part of the story. Originally, The Story of Isola was told in one sitting but then my editor suggested I break the story up into parts and dot it throughout the book. I think it works much better that way!
Q: Fia, the bird Tito arrives with, is a wonderful additional character - how did he/she develop?
A: I really wanted Tito to have a friend before he met the coffin maker, but I didn't want him to have a human friend. I tested out a few animals and decided on a bird. In the first few drafts Fia was just a very colourful bird: a little speck of brightness in a dark world. But as the drafts went on she grew bigger and more magical and eventually became one of the central characters in the book.
Q: I loved the gossiping sisters; which of the characters did you enjoy the most to write about?
A: I loved writing about the sisters and the mayor. The major plot is quite serious, so it was great to take a break from that and just have fun with some of the minor characters. I also really loved writing the character of Alberto: he is so kind and gentle. He reminds me of my grandfathers.
Q: As well as taking us from death to life, your novel plays out a metaphor of the wonder of the imagination and love over structure and ownership. What would you like readers to take away from the story?
A: I would like them to know that even when you feel sad and alone there are wonderful people in the world who can help you feel better. And even when everything around you looks black, there are pockets of light - of wonder - scattered everywhere. Sometimes it just takes a new friend to help you see them.
Q: Did you want the story to be illustrated and what do you feel about the finished book?
A: Yes, I did! I think that illustrations add so much to a story, and I'm really happy with how the book has turned out. I think that Anuska and the designers at Scholastic have done a brilliant job!
Q: The story also reminds us of the wonder in the everyday; what are the 'wonders' in your everyday?
A: For me, I find lots of little things wonderful: the colour of the leaves changing in autumn, how the sun starts to feel warmer in spring, watching kids try new things for the first time, seeing birds flying in the sky and just watching animals in general.
Q: There are touches of magic and myth woven through the story; what kinds of books do you enjoy reading and what are your favourite books of the moment?
A: I tend to read books that were written a long time ago and are on lists e.g. "The Top 100 Books of All Time." I can't think of a book that's been published in the last five years that I have actually read! My all time favourite books are Animal Farm, Of Mice and Men, The Twits and the Harry Potter books.
Q: Alberto and Tito read about a wonderful island; where is the most impressive place you have travelled to?
A: I have not travelled very much, but I would love to see the Northern Lights, hike the Milford Track in New Zealand and go to Machu Picchu.
Q: How does your writing day go and where is your favourite place and time to write?
A: I like writing in big clumps of time: starting at 6am and then writing through until 6pm. It helps me to focus and get into the story. I tend to write at my desk: if I try to write anywhere else I get distracted.
At the moment I'm working on another middle grade novel that's set in the same quasi-magical world as The Boy, the Bird and the Coffin Maker but contains a whole new bunch of characters.
Q: What are your top writing tips for young writers?
- Write about the things you love and the things you dream about.
- Have fun and experiment: you don't have to write the same kind of stories that everyone else is writing. In fact, it's better if you don't.
- Don't stop at the first draft. Go back and edit the story. Editing makes stories better.
Q: What are your favourite escapes from writing?
A: I love to walk or run with my dogs. I love binge-watching TV shows and going to the movies. I also love cooking new things.
The Boy, the Bird and the Coffin Maker by Matilda Woods, published by Scholastic, is out now.
The Boy, the Bird and the Coffin Maker
