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Posted by Ada Banks

December 27th 2009

I came across "Firelight" while browsing the on-line movie network to which I subscribe. I do not understand why it was not more enthusiastically received I found it exceptionally good. I was very interested in Firle House I have tried to research it's history without success the double doors to the library fascinated me the locale was perfect for the story. The child Dominique Belcourt stole my heart I have not been able to find her in any other work can you help me with either of these inquiries. I am looking forward to reading Rich and Mad. Thank you.

William Nicholson responded:

The main location for Firelight is Firle Place, near Lewes in Sussex, the home of the Gage family for the last five hundred years. Dominique Belcourt was a schoolgirl when I cast her - she'd had no idea of an acting career before - and while she did do a little acting after my film, she has long since abandoned that world. I'm really pleased that you like the film.

Posted by Will Day-Brosnan

December 25th 2009

Hi You may have heard this question ad infinitum. so apologies in advance. I was really curious as to which literary figures you admire and who have influenced your work. I've also detected religion perhaps as something of a thematic concern and was wondering whether you perceive it as a force for good within contemporary society. (Not to tempt you into too controversial ground !) Thanks

William Nicholson responded:

I admire the great nineteenth century moral realists (if that's a category) - Tolstoy, George Eliot, and so forth. Also Proust. The point being I don't much go for the stylists - I'm not too bothered about style - what I read for is insight into people, and insight into the struggle of living. For truth, to put it in a word. And yes, religion is always part of everything I write. I'm a lapsed Catholic, but remain fascinated by the questions that are left behind when God departs the scene. Is religion a source for good today? You know the answer. Some is, some isn't. I respect most religions, because I understand that they are entire cultures. I wouldn't dream of getting into a But-it's-not-true argument, even though I do think it's not true. Religion is about so much more than literal truth. No one says being British, say, 'isn't true'. But I myself continue to be sceptical about all God claims.

Posted by David P. Hoadley

December 24th 2009

Your movie Firelight has got to be THE best film of the 20th-21st Century!! A tightly controlled plot, great cinematography, and a lead Actor and Actress who have both an on-screen chemistry for each other and a deep affinity for their material! I've read a lot of the criticism of this film, and frankly I can only conclude that most critics haven't a clue at to what good cinema really is! I dare say that if Shakespeare had to write today, he'd have been flayed alive much the same way as your file was. I dare say though that I think yo took their idiocies much to heart, and that you should have gotten back on that horse, and kept on trying with more films. I have various questions that I'd like to ask about Firelight, but I'll confine myself to one at this time. I've noticed that just about every element in your film was put their for a specific reason, so I'm very curious as to why the odd nationality of the Governess Elizabeth. Why Swiss French rather than French French. What was the significance of being Swiss at this time and place in history. dph

William Nicholson responded:

Here's the honest answer to the Swiss question. Originally I wrote the part as an English governess. When it came to casting, and I auditioned very extensively, including some very famous names, I decided Sophie Marceau would be the best for the role. She spoke excellent English, but with a French accent. I therefore had to change the screenplay to make her accent have a reason. I could have made her French, but felt that the associations of 'French governess' were too sexy. I didn't want to distort my story by making it be primarily about the pursuit of sex; though as you know, there's plenty of sex in it. So I made her Swiss. I'm probably wrong, but Swiss struck me as less sexy.

Posted by Machiel Spruijt

December 21st 2009

Hello. A few years ago I saw 'Gladiator', and still it's my favorite movie. Later I read The Wind Singer and Slaves of the Mastery, and still they are my favorite books. But just some time ago I discovered that you wrote Gladiator. I wasn't surprised, because though the story of the books and the movie are different, there was something the same in both. It's about a life journy, and all of your works marked a chapter in my own journey. Right now I'm reading 'The Society of Others' (shadowside in Dutch), and it's the same journey I recognize. Some years ago I spoke to the translator of your books, and she almost cried because the publisher didn't want a translation of Firesong. Do you know if there is any chance that Firesong will be translated in Dutch? I will read the English version, but there are so many here who can't, so I really hope it will be translated...And do you know if the seeker books and your novels will be translated? I really hope so!

William Nicholson responded:

You're quite right to detect the same search in all my books, inevitably, perhaps. A search you can identify with? And the journey goes on... As for translations, I'm afraid these are dictated by sales, and the Dutch sales evidently haven't justified the cost of translation of some of the books. Maybe some time in the future, if I write a huge best seller, this will all change. Meanwhile I just go on writing what feels urgent and truthful...

Posted by Barbara Walsh

December 15th 2009

Thank you for your response it was an aspect i had not considered. Yes, I have seen "Shadowlands" enjoyed it immensely so purchased the dvd as I have "Firelight". I have seen all your work that is available here in the United States and look forward to purchasing "Rich and Mad" I have your other novels in my home library and wonder if it is too late for me to read your "Fantasy Books". I read with interest your response to Jeremy K and wondered if you are familiar with the work by Ludovic Kennedy, "All in the Mind, A Farewell to God". I highly recommend it. Best Wishes.

William Nicholson responded:

My own secret belief is that my fantasy books are worthy reading for adults, almost that only adults will find in them all that I have placed there. But then I would say that. As for the Kennedy book, no, I don't know it. I wrote a tv movie once based on Kennedy's book about the Lindbergh baby murder, a miscarriage of justice, and have a high regard for him as man and writer.

Posted by Jeremy K

December 14th 2009

Hello Mr. Nicholson, I'm a 16 year old who never gets sick of reading your books, no matter how many times I read it. I was just wondering, as I've read somewhere that you're Catholic, whether or not religion, specifically the chapter of Revelation in the Bible, influenced the way you wrote? It's just that I read Slaves of the Mastery and Firesong, and I can't help but draw parallels between the prophecies in the Bible and the prophecies in your book... Many thanks! I've always wondered and I thought maybe I was reading too deeply into it (or I'm strangely obsessed with my religion, ha)

William Nicholson responded:

I was raised as a Catholic, but moved away from faith in my adult years. However, as you can tell from my books, religious belief still fascinates me. I don't think Revelation is a special part of the Bible for me, but of course there are echoes of the Bible all through my work. Sometimes I think of my fantasy writing as the pursuit of religious belief without having to insist that it's actually true...