Marion Zimmer Bradley’s beloved world of Darkover encompasses many realms, from glacier-shrouded mountains to arid wastelands, from ancient kingdoms to space-faring empires. Now this all-new anthology welcomes old friends and new fans to explore these landscapes of time and place, history and imagination.
Jane M. H. Bigelow had her first professional publication in
Free Amazons of Darkover. Since then,
she has published a fantasy novel, Talisman,
as well as short stories and short nonfiction on such topics as gardening in
Ancient Egypt. Jane is a retired reference librarian, a job which encouraged
her to go on being curious about everything and exposed her to a rich variety
of people. She lives in Denver, CO with her husband and two spoiled cats.
Deborah J. Ross: When
and why did you begin writing?
Jane M. H. Bigelow:
My first stories were mostly crayon pictures with a few words. I remember one
with a young witch flying over the houses and having a wonderful time. As a
story it lacked conflict, but the witch and I had a great time.
DJR: Tell us
about your introduction to Darkover. What about the world or its inhabitants
drew you in?
JMHB: Darkover's
wonderfully detailed world intrigued me, especially the strong basis for
the Darkovan's psi abilities. I only found the series after it had been going
on for awhile; another thing I liked was that I didn't need to read the books
in a set order to enjoy them.
DJR: What do you see as the future of Darkover? Is there another story you would particularly like to write?
DJR: What do you see as the future of Darkover? Is there another story you would particularly like to write?
JMHB: Another
story? Oh, yes, several. As far as the future goes, I hope we'll see more of
the ways that Terrans and Darkovans work out a coexistence. It seems to me that
at least some of the Terran Empire might change, too. I enjoy stories set
during the Hundred Kingdoms period also, though I can't seem to write them.
DJR: What
inspired your story in Realms of Darkover?
JMHB: I'd always
wondered why nobody on Darkover used cross-country skis to get around in all that
snow. Since Darkovans didn't in fact have them, how could I introduce
them? What would happen if I did?
DJR: What have
you written recently? What lies ahead? (feel free to expound on your recent and
forthcoming books!)
JMHB: I recently
had a short story, "The Golden Ruse", published in Luxor: Gods, Grit and Glory, ed. Billl
Petty. I've sent my second novel, Children's
Knives, off to a major publisher during their window when they'd accept
unagented submissions; here's hoping! Former gem-thief Layla's determined to
live alone, quietly, in the great trade city of Issrandar in The Wastes. She
wants nothing more to do with magic, politics, or love. Both her friends and
her enemies have other ideas. An earlier novel in the same world, Talisman,
was published by Pronghorn Press and is now available on Smashwords.
Currently, I'm working on another Darkover story, still too vague to discuss,
and a mystery set in 17th century France. Its working title is The Body Under the Bed. 
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