AUTHOR INTERVIEW

Barbara Henderson reveals the emotional connection behind her new book. By

It was when her three children were young, and she had a small puppetry business, that Barbara Henderson had her epiphany: the writing was what she loved most.

“In a fleeting moment of resolve, I made a New Year’s resolution to write a children’s novel. That was the beginning,” Barbara recalls.

The latest book by the historical novelist is The Chessmen Thief, published on April 29, an exciting adventure sure to thrill the eight to 13 age group.

“I think the past is the most interesting country of all, and I love visiting museums,” she says.

“The Lewis Chessmen were of particular interest to me – not only was I fascinated by Scotland’s Viking past, but I also have a strong emotional connection with the game of chess. My father, who died eight years ago, was a regular player at club and regional level, and he taught me.

“The Chessmen Thief is my fictional origin story for these beautiful artefacts, set in Norway, Orkney and the Hebrides. I had visited the figures in the British Museum, the National Museum of Scotland and also in the Museum nan Eilean on the Isle of Lewis.

“The more I found out about the historical context, the more I wanted to give it the adventure treatment for a children’s book – there aren’t many books set in Scotland’s Viking age.”

Inspiration can strike the Inverness-based writer anywhere and everywhere.

“Like most writers, I just keep my eyes open,” she says. “If something lodges itself in my memory, I mull it over for a while to figure out the story potential. Often these moments happen when I am on holiday or reading – something will capture my interest.

“I am naturally drawn to historical inspiration – a place or an object, as in the case of the Chessmen. As soon as I am interested enough, I research until my imagination is ready to go. My advice is to research enough to be obsessed, then write. Children’s books can never contain too much peril.

“Get the first draft written – you can make it beautiful later. Read every word aloud – it throws up everything that is wrong with a manuscript. And, in the words of Jack London: ‘You can’t wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club’.”

With an adult non-fiction book out in the summer called Scottish by Inclination, she is also close to completing her next children’s book manuscript, about a Victorian boy who works on the construction of the iconic Forth Rail Bridge.

The Chessmen Thief will be published with readymade teaching resources for a Viking topic, so Barbara is hoping there will be interest in school visits, which she absolutely loves.

“Thanks to social media, an author can be accessible (I am @scattyscribbler on Twitter and Instagram), even in these days of limited events,” she says.

“But believe me, I cannot wait for the days of book festivals and school visits again. I find that even in the writing of a first draft, I often imagine young readers’ reactions, and it motivates me to push on with the story.”

• The Chessmen Thief by Barbara Henderson, Cranachan Publishing, £7.99.

Barbara Henderson was taught chess by her father.