Let’s start at the beginning. Who is C. Warde Lee in your own words?
To quote Evie Carnahan in the 1999 cinematic masterpiece, The Mummy, “I am a Librarian.” Working in a career surrounded by stories definitely made me want to tell a story of my own so I got to work writing. When I am not working or writing I am usually spending time with my spouse and two daughters, reading, drawing, or playing video games.
You are debuting with The Stolen Idol. What inspired you to write this story?
During the pandemic my daughters asked for a unique, never before told story every night. I had to start telling the story before knowing the ending and some of the characters from those stories would not leave me alone. I could not stop thinking about a grumpy satyr, pixie who cannot lie but is far from honest, a huntress centaur, and most importantly a witch who shape-shifts into a cat. For the main human character he was inspired by my experiences leaving the religion of my parents. A scene where the idea that he can choose his own beliefs and set of morals was explicitly based on the emotions I felt letting go of my former faith.
Your novel explores themes of identity, acceptance, and myth. Why are these themes important to you as a writer?
I have always loved mythology of all kinds, which is why this book blends Celtic, Greek, Norse, and Egyptian myth into a cohesive world. Myths are stories that resonate with people and have timeless themes and messages, even when they change to fit the current generation. Identity and acceptance are also important to me because they are universal things we all desire and struggle with. I lost my identity and cultural heritage by leaving a conservative community centered on a singular faith and I still don’t fully know where I fit in. I have many friends and family who have struggled with making their own identity and strive for acceptance as members of the LGBTQIA+ community while growing up in more conservative communities as well, which is why that is a central theme. Writing this book has actually helped me grow closer to those friends and family as they read drafts of this story and discussed their own experiences with me.
The Stolen Idol draws on Celtic, Greek, Norse, and Egyptian mythology. How did you choose which myths to include, and what was your research process like?
This is where my librarian flag flies. I stumbled on the idea of Interpretatio graeca, which is the idea that the Greek gods were also gods in other cultures but with different names. An ancient writer, Herodotus, wrote that he saw certain gods and goddesses transform into the Egyptian gods, which is the basis of one specific character. When the Romans invaded the British Isles a general wrote back that the Celtic God Lugh was actually Mercury. So this idea of the gods moving around made a base, but I still didn’t make every god and goddess have multiple identities. For this story I wanted to focus on the aftermath of the Celtic myth of the Sons of Turenn where Lugh sends a group of men to steal mythic weapons from other cultures. I wondered what happened to those weapons and if the gods and goddesses in the cultures they belonged to would want them back. I then took all that background lore and made my plucky group of adventurers stumble through it.
For research I read a lot of books of myth collections as well as online research.
Jaimie Whitfield faces both external and internal struggles. What draws you to writing characters dealing with difficult personal and societal conflicts?
My favorite characters always have both internal and external struggles. It’s what makes them interesting. If they only have external struggles then they are likely a hero with no personality, like an avatar in a very basic videogame. If they only have internal struggles then the plot can slip away. By struggling with things on multiple levels there can be an action adventure plot and a deeper emotional truth to the character.
The story features fantastical creatures and magical realms. How do you balance world-building with character-driven storytelling?
Do I balance it? I hope so. I have a good mix of quiet moments where characters can talk and show their personalities and relationships broken up by moments of action and fantastic scenery, from the small village of centaurs and satyrs to the mythological realm of Tír na nÓg. Even when the characters are in fantastic worldbuilding areas I always make sure to show the world through a character lens. The fae kingdom isn't just the world of the fae, it’s the childhood home Ailsa the pixie was banished from. The places mean something to the characters, so it needs to be filtered through them.
If one of your characters could step out of the book, who would it be and why?
The Cat Sí would step out of the book for two reasons. 1.) She is powerful enough to do so and, 2.) she is based on real world folklore and myth, so at one time or another people did think she existed. She is where the idea of cats having 9 lives comes from and ancient peoples left saucers of milk out for her on Samhain, aka Halloween.
Was there a scene that surprised you as you were writing it? What happened?
Oh so many scenes and only a few I can talk about without massive spoilers. There is a scene that made me cry while writing, and made one ARC reader say she ugly cried. There is also a scene where I wrote from the perspective of one of the main villains where he showcases his idea for attacking the fae. That scene made me angry while writing it because he was just so evil.
How do you approach writing YA fantasy differently than adult fantasy or other genres?
This is my first book so I don’t fully know. I know I wanted to write something my soon to be teenage daughter could conceivably read, so I don’t get too graphic in any areas. In college I wrote material in different genres as a creative writing major and I applied similar ideas to approaching magic as I did to approaching sci fi technology; explain it enough to make sense, but remember don’t go into too much detail because the characters don’t all fully understand how it works. We all know a microwave works but don’t need to know how it works to use it to heat a hot pocket.
Your novel features themes of family expectations and personal freedom. How much of this comes from personal experience or observation?
It definitely comes from personal experience. I love my family and they love me, my mom has even read the book, but I did grow up in a culture and religion with more rules and expectations than most. I never met the expectation of going on a two year mission, and that once filled me with guilt and shame in the community. As I started to discover my own beliefs I broke many rules like drinking tea and coffee, and I struggled with shame from those meaningless normal activities. I constantly felt afraid and trapped by that faith and letting go was the most freeing and mentally healthy moment in my life. I now drink my chai without guilt. Much of Jaimie’s personal growth and journey to accept himself is deeply rooted in this experience.
Quick Fire ⚡
Character first or plot first?
I came up with the characters first and the plot fell into place.
Writing in silence, with music, or chaos around you?
I prefer silence but did a lot of writing in cars or on benches while kids were at a practice of some sport.
Coffee, tea, or something else fuels your writing sessions?
As someone who hadn’t tried either till my thirties, Pepsi. Though these days chai.
Draft fast or draft carefully and slowly?
Draft fast and occasionally be surprised by characters actions.
One word you hope readers use to describe your book.
Bitchin’
The Author Journey
When did you realize you were truly a writer?
I’m a writer!?! It didn’t really hit until beta readers started connecting to the book. I realized I actually had a story, a book, and people actually enjoyed it.
What has surprised you most about publishing your debut novel?
That being a writer means also being a social media influencer. I’m a stereotypical quiet librarian, so I apologize about my stuttering in my videos!
What advice would you give other writers exploring mythology and fantastical worlds?
Play Hades and Hades II on Nintendo Switch. In seriousness, I recommend reading retellings of the same myths by multiple authors and perspectives to see all the different ways these characters are interpreted, and then add your own spin.
How do you handle writer’s block or creative lulls?
I sit and write and it's terrible and frustrating and feels like pulling teeth, but when I revise it later I might be in a better mood for writing and that's when it will become great! Power through and try, try again!
If readers take away one thing from The Stolen Idol, what would you want it to be?
Don't listen to anyone else, be the person you want to be and you will find true friends along the way. Like treasure!
Looking Ahead
Are there more books planned in this world or featuring these characters?
Yes. I have 4 books mapped out exploring different culture’s realms. This first book introduces the world and Celtic myth. The Next book will be predominantly Greek, then Norse, and finally Egyptian. The main cast of characters will be present through all four.
What excites you most about sharing The Stolen Idol with readers?
That other people can meet these characters for themselves! I am tired of being the president, vice-president, and secretary of The Stolen Idol fanclub! I need more people to fangirl/boy with!
If your book were adapted, would you want it as a movie, series, or something else?
Any would be amazing, but a series gives more time to explore characters and build emotional bonds.
Is there a fun or surprising fact about you that readers might not know?
I hid a very minor Zelda reference in the book.
Any final words for your future readers?
I hope you enjoy reading The Stolen Idol at least half as much as I enjoyed writing it! If you do, I promise you will love it!
