Q&A with Jonathan Stroud

You are in Scotland to tell people about your new book The Ring of Solomon. Can you tell us a little bit more about it?

Well I can indeed, yes. It’s a new story about Bartimaeus the Djinni. Many people might remember him from the three books I wrote a few years ago known as The BartimaeusTrilogy. Bartimus first appeared in The Amulet of Samarkand and that was set in modern day London effectively, ruled by Magicians. Bartimaeus has been around for thousands of years and he’s always boasting in those books about his amazing inventions across the centuries. I thought it would be quite interesting to go back in time to ancient Jerusalem to see exactly what Bartimaeus got up to at that time so this is a kind of prequel set about 3,000 years before the other books.

I actually can’t wait to read it. Now, this week we have had a work experience pupil in the office called Rosa Mackay and she has put a couple of questions together and has asked us to put them to you. All of the Bartimaeus series contains elements of Eastern folklore as a basis; was this something you had researched specifically or did have you always had an interest in folklore?

I’ve always had an interest in folklore of one sort of another ever since I was a kid; I used to enjoy folktales and fairy tales and beasts and legends all over the place and when I was first dreaming up The Amulet of Samarkand  I was interested in the idea of using a Genie or Djinni as they are known in Arabic folklore so I did do a bit of extra research about the different types of spirit but I also nicked little bits and pieces from European folklore as well so Bartimaeus goes around like a gargoyle. So, essentially I just nicked stuff from all over the place.

Like all the best writers. Would you say that you have consciously, or otherwise, ever based characters on yourself?

Probably unconsciously, yes. In fact, when I finished writing The Amulet of Samarkand I gave my book to people I knew and friends and family when they read it said; ‘You were just like Nathaniel, the young boy magician, when you were 12’, which isn’t really a compliment because he’s very kind of intense and serious and proud and kind of ambitious and a tight chested little character so I am afraid I was probably a little bit like him. I didn’t think that though when I was writing it. It’s quite funny that when you write something that’s quite close to you, you end up using bits of your own personality whether you like to or not.  

Absolutely. And finally what’s next? Are you going to write another stand alone novel like the brilliant, brilliant Heroes of the Valley?

Well that’s very kind. I think it will probably be a standalone novel or possibly a new series. I love Bartimaeus dearly, in fact for many years I actually thought I was going to leave it as three books but it was only after a few years had passed that I thought I’d like  to come back to him again as he’s a great character and he might well return in another prequel one day. But, in the mean time, to keep myself fresh, I’d like to try something new so I’m excited about that.

Well we can’t wait for that either! Thank you very much and we hope you enjoy the rest of your time in Scotland and we wish you all the best for The Ring of Solomon.

It’s a pleasure, thank you very much. 

You can find out more about Jonathan Stroud and The Ring of Solomon by visiting the official website.