Page 39 - Reader's House Magazine Issue 53

among contemporary literary greats.
What inspired you to write “My Place Among Them,” and how did your family’s history influence the narrative?
allowed me to close my eyes and immerse myself in memories that gave life to my characters and details to their actions in various settings.
In what ways do you hope readers will connect with the character of John Iron Horse and his journey?
I hope that readers will connect with John’s habit of seeking out quiet moments to reflect
on the events of his life and their impact on his future and to seek guidance from his cultural heritage. Likewise, I hope they will find value in Carter’s persistence in striving to achieve his own personal definition of success amidst the demands of a bureaucracy where success was often defined only by power and money.
Can you discuss the significance of the novel’s title, “My Place Among Them,” in relation to the themes explored?
“My Place Among Them” is the story of two men who struggle to succeed in the world they live in. John Iron Horse strives to find his place in a society that is foreign to his heritage while Carter endeavors to find happiness in a bureau- cracy he frequently disagrees with. It is the story of their efforts to do what they believe is right without giving up their individual values and identity.
How do you balance historical accuracy with creative storytelling in your writing?
For historical fiction, it is important to immerse the reader in a specific time and place in history.
I use precise descriptions of places, events and emotions that impact my characters to help the reader engage with the story. Sometimes this re- sults in long passages that can be boring without meticulous editing to keep the reader focused. However, I make every effort to avoid graphic depictions of violence or sex, preferring to leave those vignettes to the reader’s imagination.
What challenges did you face in bringing the historical context of the late 1800s to life for contemporary readers?
For me, the hardest part of writing this story for contemporary readers was editing the often stilted, Victorian-era wording of the original manuscript while honoring the propriety of
the era. It was hard, personally, to change my great-grandfather’s long sentences and often verbose exchanges between characters. Having reviewed the original work hundreds of times, it was difficult to portray complex emotions with more modern words, particularly because, at the time, emotions were often hidden behind strict cultural mores that contemporary readers might not appreciate. It was also difficult to portray the harshness of life on reservations without focusing solely on violence and poverty.
As an author, what advice would you offer to those looking to write historical fiction that honours the cultures and histories it represents?
“My Place Among Them” was taken from a manuscript written by my great-grandfather doc- umenting his experiences with Indigenous people while working for the Bureau of Indian Affairs
at the turn of the 20th century. For fear of losing his position, he never made his work public. It passed to his daughter and in turn to my father who died of cancer before he finished preparing the document for publication. He gave me the original document, along with his edited version, asking that I publish the story. I grew up listening to stories about both protagonists and hearing
my father’s respect for the Indigenous people of America both of which motivated me to see the work to completion.
Could you elaborate on the research process you undertook to authentically depict the experiences of Indigenous peoples in your novel?
Inspired by family stories, I spent my childhood reading books about the Indigenous people of America. During my earliest edits of the manuscript, I reached out to living mem- bers of the Lakota tribe including elders on the Pine Ridge Reservation and archivists at Oglala Community College whenever details from the manuscript conflicted with what I thought I knew about Lakota culture. I had copies of letters and
McPhail’s novel is a beautifully researched and deeply moving exploration of history, culture, and personal identity, capturing the essence of storytelling with authenticity and emotional depth.
employment records that referenced what my great-grandfather observed over his lifetime and internet access to rosters and administrative re- cords of multiple schools run by the US Govern- ment from 1875 to 1955. I purchased a number of books recently written by Indigenous authors including an Indigenous history of America.
How did your 31 years of teaching experience shape your approach to storytelling and character development?
Much of my teaching career was spent at
the Middle School level, where I observed the emotional development of many children as they changed and matured over time. Every hurt, every joy, every nuance of emotion was on display almost every day in my classroom. I was involved with other teachers, administrators and parents, all of whom shared their personalities and emotions over the years. Teaching requires a certain amount of entertainment skill to keep students focused, and I honed those skills over my 31 years in the classroom. I believe my teaching experience
It is imperative that an author know the details and history of the culture they are writing about and understand that there are usually multi-
ple “sides” to every historical event. In depth research is important because readers pick up
My Place Among Them by J. Stanion is a moving exploration of cultural identity, resilience, and the clash between oppression and understanding. Brilliantly crafted, its profound characterisation of John Iron Horse and Carter Heath is deeply affecting. This award- winning historical fiction captures a dark yet essential chapter of history with sensitivity and authenticity.
all, simply put the book down.
What particular skills do you look for in a writer of historical fiction?
A strong voice, first of all. The one thing that makes a novel unique is not so much the setting or the characters so much as the voice of the writer. Too many historical novels feel the same — the setting has changed, but the book could have been written by anyone. So what really sets it apart, and the first thing I look for, is a strong author voice. That being said, a strong sense of history and adequate research so that the story feels genuine are essential, of course. I want a story that’s unique and interesting, so it’s best if the writer has a passion for that particular period or the events surrounding the novel. I suppose
I also prefer an author with a good vocabulary, particularly appropriate to the setting and time. I like to see a clear sense of mood. Good rhythm to their words. Clear pacing. Great characters in interesting situations. Strong dialogue. Vibrant scenes. Action or events that move me from one page to the next. And, if it’s to have a longlast- ing quality to it, themes that are greater than boy-meets-girl (which works fine in a historical romance, but we like to see more in a true histor- ical saga).
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on errors in historical content quickly and may question the authenticity of the story or, worst of