Gypsies are mysterious, very much misunderstood and full of lore and rich history much like other oppressed peoples, such as the Jews. In fact, as with the Jews, the Nazis exterminated approximately 500,000 Roma(aka Gypsies) and Sinta in their ovens during the Holocaust The mystery and lore of the Roma people has partly inspired my new work in progress, Curse of the Marimé.
The real inspiration, believe it or not, came from a visit to the grocery store on my way home from work one afternoon. I was gathering some things I needed when approached by an elderly woman who looked as if she stepped out of a picture of a caravan scene depicted in a research book I have on Gypsies.
She was small, dressed in a drab brown-green skirt, a bright, flowered blouse and clunky serviceable brown shoes and socks that slouched down around her tiny ankles. She wore her hair bound in a tight knot at the back of her head.
She approached me and advised with some urgency that she had something to tell me, something of great importance. She pushed a business card into my hand and advised me again that I should come see her, then, left me where I stood. I glanced down at the card. A seer, psychic, whatever. I was about to dump the card on a shelf, but, instead pocketed it and went about my business. It did spook me and I worried about the what or why she approached me, though, I never called or saw the woman, but Pita does in Curse of the Marimé and I’m not sure whether Pita is going to be happy or regretful that she did. You remember what happened when Pandora opened the box, don’t you?
Who is your favorite author and what is it that really strikes you about their work?
Hmmm… I have to say Laurell K Hamilton. She just blows me away. Her characterization is totally amazing and the imagery draws you right into the story. Every book wraps around a new unique story. I can’t seem to put her books down. I only hope that is how the reader reacts when reading my books. The Anita Blake series is what hooked me and pulled me in. Now I am engrossed in her Meredith Gentry series.
Article comments
1 - DrPat
How did you happen to interview this author?
2 - parker
by email
3 - C. Novak
If this is satirical or, at best, some kind of joke, but could you in future PLEASE leave my people out of it? You're, for whatever reason, reinforcing the very stereotypes that our ancestors were raped and hanged and flogged and gassed for; stereotypes that were never true in the first place. We're not mysterious and we dress just like everybody else does. Yes, there are some aspects of the culture that we don't share with outsiders but, then again, do you really want to hear about how I do my laundry...? Because I don't want to hear how you do yours. Unfortunately the 'academia' regarding my people is woefully and laughably out of date and people like me (educated Romani) are trying to rectify that, as I'm doing here--regardless of the intent behind the whole thing--but we face people who refuse to believe that we're not magical, people who want to experience some romantic ideal of the bloody difficult way our ancestors lived (not, mind you, by choice) and then, on the other hand, people who believe to this day that we're subhuman filth not fit to breathe the air everybody else does.
I'm Romani (Sinti nation); I live in the year 2005, I drive a Toyota, I'm getting divorce and going back to university to finish my graphic design degree and I've got more than enough on my plate already without constantly having to refute this new age rubbish that makes us (the Romani) look worse than we already do and just attracts more hocus-pocus-crunchy-granola-aura-seeing idiots and hippies. I have a big problem with that 'Gypsy spirit' crap, and I can't for the life of me figure out why people who were 'Gypsy in a past life' have to ANNOY US SO MUCH IN THIS ONE, along with doing us a huge disservice by perpetuating this romantic, exotic garbage.
We're not exotic. We're not mysterious. We're plain and ordinary but we have to deal with this kind of thing and then, on the other hand, the media can get away with saying the things they couldn't say about any other race (and, yes, we're a race; we are not a lifestyle). We may be despised and misunderstood and hemmed in and constantly slandered but we are not MYSTERIOUS.
4 - Sharon
Dear C. Novak,
As a writer of fiction, I'd been inspired with Romania and its rich history. Having gotten caught up and indulged in my gothic fantasies, I, by no means, meant to cause you any distress. I sincerely apologize that I have.
Sincerely,
Sharon L Connors
5 - Amanda Dryna
As one of the critiquers of 'Curse of the Marimé and a friend, I really enjoyed reading this interview. Curse of the Marimé is one of my all time favorite novels that I have ever had the pleasure of critiquing. I'd would highly recommend everyone to keep a look out for it.
6 - Sharon L Connors
Thank you, Amanda.
Your enthusiasm for this story is much appreciated as well your critique and editing skills, not to mention your continued friendship and support.
Fondly,
Sharon L Connors