Today I am very excited to welcome author J. Tullos Hennig to the blog. J. is here to talk to us more about her series, the Books of the Wode. She has also brought a copy of one of the books to giveaway to a lucky reader. Please join me in giving her a big welcome!
One of the main questions I get asked about the Books of the Wode is: “Why a gay Robin Hood?”
My first instinct is to answer (in a proper seditious fashion of which ‘my’ Robyn would be proud): “Well, why not?”
Yet… I’m not really sure it’s all that simple.
You see, I really dig retellings that twist the tails of our expectations. A skilled storyteller who can take something, turn it inside out, sweep me up, convince me–even if only for the length of that story? I’m all for that.
If you can sell it, then tell it.
A big if, but really, the telling of this particular point wasn’t the hardest part. One has, after all, a tight-knit and homosocial group of males hanging out where they aren’t supposed to, eating and drinking what they aren’t supposed to, whacking each other with staves and giving the two-finger salute to the powers-that-be. Perfect recipe for subversion. Whatever the reasons or theories why (and believe me, for every theory you can possibly imagine there is a reasonably-informed scholar or author backing or denying it), history originally places before us the legend of Robin Hood and his band of Merry Men as living on their own, outcast, in a forbidden forest.
Lad’s club, right?
And these lads are outcast in a way most modern people cannot even begin to fathom. Casual brutality is a way of life, and that life can be very brutal indeed, and dependant upon which side of the blanket you’re born. It is also a time in flux. The 12th century is on the cusp of a paradoxical era which will usher in both Magna Carta and a widespread fever of superstition that will end in thousands tortured and burnt under charges of ‘sodomy’ and ‘witchcraft’. Robyn and his lads exist on a sharper edge than usual. As outlaws, their lives are worth only the price on their heads; they can be killed by anyone, even a serf who has no rights. They would have to trust only in each other and the forest that shelters them. The ballads show them as competent rascals with an utter respect for the Divine Feminine–whatever name one chooses to give Her, it can hardly be denied that the outlaws live upon Her bounty. Yet they also remain culturally and physically separate from Her.
It’s a fascinating question–harsh duality forced from something that, perhaps, isn’t necessarily adversarial.
Therefore, in putting together my answers for said question, the story of Greenwode and its sequel Shirewode isn’t solely about who Robyn beds. It’s about who he is, in the necessity of this retelling and place. It’s about who chooses to love him, hate him or follow his lead; it describes a Britain being inevitably winnowed of an ancient magic and those magicians who choose to stand for old ways; it’s about cultural obliteration and the fighting–and dying–for what choices are possible in life. It’s about subverting the system, religious and social to all the impositions in between. It posits what Robyn and his outcasts do with what power they can wrest from the corruption surrounding them. Being homosexual is one aspect–albeit less employed but, to my eyes, extremely vital–of an utterly fascinating character. That aspect also gives a core definition to his being. Robyn is reaction, a force of nature indefinable by the norm; he wields change as easily as he wields his longbow.
And he doesn’t go it alone.
Not too long ago Stephen Knight, a noted Robin Hood scholar–and another maverick who enjoys twisting the leaden tail of expectation–said it was past time for a gay Robin Hood. But he also said something that truly resonated with me: “Robin Hood… always disappears into the forest, always eludes the constraints of authority, identity, sexuality…”
Robyn has, throughout history, been a voice for the victimised, the dispossessed… the ones who have no voice in a rapacious system. He and his people are sustained by a huge, magical forest… one that has, sadly, all but vanished–again, because of a rapacious system.
But you know, all this theory and musing is after the fact. When I’m writing, I plug into the ol’ reptile brain; research is the cornerstone, but it is not the be-all, end-all. Story is what matters in the moment.
So the most important reason I wrote Robyn’s sexual orientation the way I did?–it’s this: a tall, skinny archer lad said, very reasonably, Look, pet. You ‘ave this all sidelong. Y’ know I love you, and I ken you love me… but trust to’t, there’s a proper Story waitin’ in th’ Wode if you’d but open your eyes.
(And yes, shut up, it was in that same low voice with its odd polyglot of Yorkshire, Wales and the North…)
Not only England’s Greatest Archer was tapping me on my creative shoulder; there was a young woman–his sister, not his mate–smiling and shaking her head and leaning on not only a whopping great longbow but another lad. This second lad was almost as red-headed as she–and giving me a look like he didn’t quite trust me. I’m not sure I blame him, as when I wrote his first incarnation he was a bit of a walk-on… mea culpa, Gamelyn, sometimes your writer is stupid.
And the characters are always right. It’s their story, after all.
Maybe my first instincts weren’t so flippant, after all. It is time. Past time. Perhaps it is that simple. There is no decent reason “Why not?”
————————
So. It’s time to be subversive. Give me a “‘Why not?” of your choice–statement, credo, affirmation–and I’ll put your name in for a drawing of a giveaway ebook, again of your choice: Greenwode or Shirewode.
SHIREWODE (Book Two of the Wode)
The King of the Shire Wode. That is what they will call you…
Once, a pagan commoner named Rob of Loxley befriended the nobleman’s son Gamelyn Boundys, against insurmountable odds—and with horrific consequences. Home razed by Church edict, loved ones struck down by treachery, Rob is left for dead. Taken by an old druid master into the deeps, Rob survives to emerge as driven leader of a band of tight-knit outcasts, claiming the forest as their own and wielding the Horned Lord’s vengeance with silent, deadly arrows. Unwilling witness to Loxley’s destruction and disowned by his noble family, Gamelyn Boundys takes flight from England. As a sworn knight of the Lionheart’s Crusade, Gamelyn has found new identity and purpose—but no absolution.
When the two boyhood lovers next cross paths, it will be in a brutal, blindfolded game of foxes and hounds, one which pits Templar assassin against Heathen outlaw. And when Rob discovers his sister Marion is also still alive, the game turns.
History will chronicle Robyn Hood and Guy of Gisbourne as the deadliest of enemies, but the reality is complicated—and infinitely more tragic.
——————-
Find the Books here:
http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/index.php?cPath=55_611
Find the Author here:
http://www.jtulloshennig.net
or
http://www.facebook.com/TheWodeBooks
&
http://www.facebook.com/jtullos.hennig
Of course, if I’m in the middle of a writing jag, I’m likely to be absent from all of the above. No one should take that personally. I do welcome correspondence from readers and do my best to answer questions.
Giveaway
J. is generously offering up a copy of either Greenwode or Shirewode to one lucky reader. Just leave a comment at the end of the post for your chance to enter. The contest closes on Sunday, October 20th at 11:59 pm EST.
- By entering the giveaway, you’re confirming that you are at least 18 years old.
- Winners will be selected by random number. No purchase necessary to win. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning.
- If you win, you must respond to my email within 48 hours or another winner may be chosen. Please make sure that your spam filter allows email from Joyfully Jay.
- Winners may be announced on the blog following the contest. By entering the contest you are agreeing to allow your name to be posted and promoted as the contest winner by Joyfully Jay.
- Prizes will be distributed following the giveaway either by Joyfully Jay or the person/organization donating the prize.
- By entering you are agreeing to hold Joyfully Jay harmless if the prize or giveaway in some way negatively impacts the winner.
- Readers may only enter once for each contest. Duplicate entries for the same giveaway will be ignored. In the event of technical problems with the blog during the contest, every effort will be made to extend the contest deadline to allow for additional entries.
- Void where prohibited by law.
I am always interested to see an author’s spin on existing mythology!!
It’s always interesting, isn’t it?–to write and to read. Thanks for commenting!
Count me in please.
Thanks!
This sounds great – I have Greenwode in my tbr pile – I think I need to sit down and read it very, very soon 🙂
Why yes, you need to! Of course, I’m slightly biased. 🙂 Thanks for coming by.
Gay Robin Hood works for me–please count me in!
I think he likes it, too. 😉 Thanks for commenting.
I’ve had some “why not” moments in my life. They’re what make life interesting! We’d never get anywhere if we didn’t take a few risks, step out, and say “Why not?”
Most definitely. Who wants to exist in a cramped little box of questioning nothing? Not me, anyway. Thanks for stopping by.
Please count me in, thanks.
And thanks to you as well.
Count me inplease 🙂
Thanks for coming by.
Please count me in. Thank you =)
Thanks to you for stopping by.
I love different view points.
I rather fancy them myself. 🙂 Thanks for commenting.
Please count me in. Thanks.
And thanks to you for commenting.
Sounds like a great read. Please count me in. I love the theme in the cover.
The cover is absolutely beautiful, isn’t it? I hope the read is just as stunning for you. Thanks for stopping by.
I’m in, who doesn’t like Robin Hood?
Agreed–what’s not to like? 🙂 Thanks for coming by.
Great background to the series, J. Thanks for sharing it with us. I looked at this series a while back and loved the sound of it. In fact, I was surprised I don’t have Greenwode on my nook because I could have sworn I got it, but then again, I may have been trying to be good, as the TBR pile gives me dirty looks when I add on yet another book. (Not that I always let that stop me, of course.) So, how great that you said “why not?” to Robyn’s story because it’s a wonderful premise. As for me, I think my “why not?” comes in the form of my attitude toward other people. I always say, “everyone’s got their own path.” I see people making decisions for themselves that maybe wouldn’t be my decisions (either because they aren’t right for me or because I’m not brave enough to make that choice), but I appreciate that their road isn’t the same as mine. So, why shouldn’t they take it if that’s what they want to do. I just see too many people in this world passing judgement over someone else’s life, and I wonder why they think they have the right or the knowledge to say what someone should be doing. I mean, it’s obvious that people are different, so why wouldn’t the road they travel be, and sometimes a person has to go on that particular road another person wouldn’t take to get where they need to be, to hopefully find happiness along the way.
I’m glad you enjoyed the background, and I hope it makes you feel a little better about adding another book to the burgeoning TBR pile. I think that if more people had the empathy that your statement so wonderfully supports, it would certainly be easier to get on, wouldn’t it? Everyone doesn’t have to agree, but agreement isn’t needed for acceptance. Thanks so much for coming by and sharing your thoughts, and I hope the Wode books well earn their place in your TBR pile. 🙂
Please count me in. Thanks!
Thanks right back at’cha.
I have these books on my TBR list. Would love to win one!
Thanks for coming by, and letting me know they’re on your list–hope you enjoy them.
I’m glad I discovered this today and look forward to reading the series, whether or not I win the giveaway.
Thanks so much for stopping in, and I hope you enjoy the books.
I read Greenwode months ago and enjoyed it a lot. I think what upset and interested me the most was the fanatic Abbess and the conflict between the older and the newer religions. Poor Gamelyn was caught right in the middle in a way Robyn didn’t seem to understand. I know as a reader you are probably supposed to identify more with Robyn, but I think I liked and sympathized the most with Gamelyn.
I still haven’t had time to read Shirewode, so unless I’m too late I wouldn’t mind to participate in the giveaway.
Thanks for commenting, Sara. I think you’re likely safe; I don’t believe the giveaway ended until midnight on the 20th–though it’s certainly Jay’s call on that. 🙂 I’m so glad you enjoyed GREENWODE and wanted to also thank you for your thoughts. Because truthfully?–you are meant to sympathise with whatever character you find most sympathetic! Why and how that wonderful connection occurs is so personal and individual–and should be. It’s a real fascination for me as a writer and a reader, the varied viewpoints and heart-string-wrenching/tuggiing moments that different characters will invoke in different readers. And if you become involved enough in the story to find a character to latch onto and root for, well, that’s what it’s all about, eh? If you care, the writer did their job–and that you do care for Gamelyn is the best of compliments for GREENWODE! So, many thanks, and I hope you enjoy SHIREWODE as well.