An interview with two authors – Eleanor Watkins and Philip S. Davies

During the Covid-19 pandemic one of the most popular books worldwide has been La Peste (The Plague) by Albert Camus. Two members of ACW have written books for young people where a plague has been the background for the story. Eleanor Watkins books, The Village and A Wind of Change are historical novels set at the time of the Black Death. Philip Davies’ second book in his young adult fantasy trilogy, Destiny’s Revenge, also features a plague. They have kindly agreed to answer some questions.

SS: Why did you choose to write about sickness and death in books for young people?

EW: After reading several books on the Black Death, I'd often wondered how people would cope during and following a time of plague - never dreaming that a pandemic would be experienced in my own lifetime. What would happen to the survivors, maybe some the only ones left in their families, how would their lives go on?  I aimed to bring a message of hope for the future.

PSD:   The story stakes need to be high, and an evil, vengeful god inflicts a plague on his enemies, which suits the story well, because a gradual spread is a growing peril, whereas other disasters are over too quickly. This creates an excellent timeline and urgency, because when Katelin's best friend is infected, she has only two weeks to save her. 

SS: How did you feel when the corona virus outbreak was declared to be a pandemic?

EW: I could hardly believe it! That such a thing could happen in an age of advanced medical knowledge, technology and human achievement. Such things happened in dystopian films and novels, not in real life. But it was here, and suddenly we were plunged into something that would affect every part of all our lives - health, security, economy, freedom. Overwhelming and devastating.

PSD: I enjoy the dynamics of science fiction stories (e.g. The Andromeda Strain) when the human race is under threat, or dystopian and post-apocalyptic stories with only a few survivors, because they highlight what really matters, and how we would live. I never thought such scenarios would actually happen, so it's been like living through one of those stories.

SS: In your books the plague leads to changes in society and/or people’s attitudes, what changes do you expect or hope to see in our own time?

EW: I hope there will be changes. We've seen how communities and individuals are pulling together with help and support. I hope that attitude will stay, and grow. There is a great deal of fear and uncertainty as we look to the future. People are looking for something to hold on to, something bigger than themselves. I pray that many will find in God their hope, their peace and their security.

PSD: I've found this lockdown a time to reset priorities, to stop the world, step back and reflect. Afterwards, I aim to stay focused on my calling as a writer, and (because I'm an introvert) not mind staying at home writing. I hope the "new normal" includes prioritising people over things, and kindness and the environment over greed and profit.

SS: Thank you, Eleanor and Philip. 

Eleanor Watkins' and Philip S. Davies' books may be purchased from Amazon, although I'd prefer you to #ChooseBookshops wherever possible.