Navaselva, The Call of the Lost Wild is the second book about Navaselva. How does it relate to the first?
Both books have as their origin a mysterious wild valley in the south of Spain where the wild species exchange stories and knowledge to help each other adapt and survive. In particular, there are the Messenger birds who help share and expand awareness of ways to coexist and cooperate so all can thrive within a balanced ecosystem. But there are now more threats to the biodiverse range of animals living there and species are disappearing. The first book explores some key animal characters and their journey north to find lost species and safe places while the main human character, Jay Ro stays in this wild valley searching for her grandmother’s stories and coming to terms with the challenges she faces in a time of both personal change and the climate and nature crises.
The second book, Navaselva, the Call of the Lost Wild, begins in the north of Europe. Jay Ro is enrolled in a wildlife conservation project for young volunteers and will be monitoring the numbers of turtle doves, wild geese and wolves in Holland, Denmark, Germany and Scandinavia. Comadrito, the weasel and Milvana, the black kite from Navaselva are in northern France. They have lost their direction and are haunted by the loss of wild birds from Navaselva and the idea of a lost forest for the last living wild.
Navaselva mixes real and mythical elements from the natural world and our lives through stories, imagination, different viewpoints and insights from a range of characters. Their journeys can help us understand more about our fast disappearing wild world.
Is Navaselva based on a real place?
Navaselva is based on an area in the Sierra Aracena, Andalucía, a mountain range between Seville and Portugal where I have been returning to over the past 20 years. However, Navaselva is imagined as a much larger and wilder space with many of the different plant and animal species fully present and thriving. But the current threats to the biodiversity and wild habitats here is one of my main concerns.
Can you tell us about some of the research you did for the book?
The research I enjoyed the most was digging deeper into the natural history of the species I write about, their habitats and habits. There is always so much to be surprised about. One piece of research from a book on European mammals featured the relationship between weasel numbers and voles. If there are too many weasels many of the female voles do not reproduce that year. There are hormonal changes resulting in smaller or no litters. When the weasel numbers go down the female voles become more fertile. Watch out for the wild white weasel in Navaselva, the Call of the Lost Wild.
I was also researching a lot about wildlife crime for another project and I thought about how there is still such a threat to wildlife in Europe. The criminal elements within the novel are the darker edges to the story and also expressive of continuing exploitation of wildlife for profit.
What did you most enjoy about writing this story?
I loved engaging with the different characters I had created and trying to keep to their ways of seeing the world and our human world. I loved the way the story would flow at times effortlessly and almost wrote itself.
What did you find most difficult?
At times the difficult parts engage with loss and I had to find a way through and with some resolution for these feelings. The reality is all our lives are at risk and many are cut off short. Thinking about the wild ways made me more accepting about facing these challenges. Editing and reviewing can take up a lot of time too but is necessary.
Are there going to be more stories about these animals and the humans who care about them?
Definitely, as a friend is wanting me to write about our experiences in Mexico of some very different animals. We went to Mexico for her son’s wedding and she has outlined a story she wants me to write in the Navaselva style. It will be set in the past in the Mayan cultures and the arrival of the Spanish boats. This could be part of a short story collection from the mythical histories of the Meetings of the Many. I have always thought of continuing with journeys to the wild east with some of the characters plus maybe we also go west. Perhaps Navaselva could be a compass quartet of books with journeys in search of wild places and those who try to protect nature.
Can we take any hope from this story?
I hope my stories of these lives show the courage, determination and desire to both survive, thrive and take action. I hope that the more we understand the natural world, and our dependence on natural systems the more we will create a healthier future for all. Being in nature can be uplifting. I am encouraged by some reviews too, one which says …. the book is not depressive. Also, a friend and former neighbour told me reading the book made her very happy. Hopefully reading and being immersed in nature through the book can inspire us and give us hope.
Have you any events planned?
I am hoping to have a book launch in the Manchester/ Stockport area when I am back in the UK. Meanwhile a zoom launch might work from our home in Spain. For promotion I am interested in a new genre called ThruTopia as I feel my book fits into this sense of getting through difficult times.
I will also plan a series of discussions and creative responses on my nature blog.
https://navasolanature.wordpress.com/
Do you offer talks and workshops about the book ? If so, how should people contact you? Perhaps you would like to outline the type of talk, you offer.
Yes, as a former teacher I am happy to talk about my book, aspects of the writing process, nature and biodiversity. I run nature writing workshops for adults and young people and have recently successfully engaged students in Y6. I enjoy working with young people and encouraging creativity and understanding of nature.
With adults I have discussed my novel and given prompts using extracts to encourage individual writing. These can also lead to wider discussion about our own relationships with nature and ways to protect our own local areas as well as further afield. I can also give talks about Marine and Coastal issues and there is a section on the ocean within the second Navaselva novel.
I have run creative writing workshops with the Quaker Arts Network and am currently involved in a project called Conservations With Nature. There are online writing workshops and a submission process for an online anthology on this topic. From this there will be a selection made for a physical nature poetry book. Submissions are open to anyone who would like to submit some poetry or short prose on this theme.
Anyone interested in my own workshops for a school, a reading/writing group or general interest talk can email me on georginajanewright@icloud.com.
For the Quaker Arts Network workshops and submissions further information is on the website.
https://quakerarts.net/projects/conversations-with-nature/
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