Briefly, what is the book about?
The story of Fittixni (Look for me) is driven by the spirit of a young English woman named Jessica, who drowned in rough seas off the coast of Malta in 1937. She died holding on to a box in which her little daughter lay sleeping. Many decades later, Jessica wants her story and that of her daughter - along with their long-buried mysteries - to be unearthed and made known. Enter Jack: a 12-year-old Maltese boy who, while bored out of his mind at his grandmother's house, finds an old family photograph which features a little blonde girl he knows nothing about. Helped by his friends, he gradually pieces together the identity of the little girl, her incredible story and a secret from the past that had never been told to anyone.
Where did the inspiration come from to write Fittixni?
While helping my son with his summer reading project about two years ago, I happily re-read three of Trevor Żahra's adventure books: Meta Jaqa' ċ-Ċpar, Dwal fil-Fortizza and L-Għar tax-Xelter. I really enjoyed reading these books again, as they took me right back to my childhood,when my love of books had actually been kindled. Trevor's adventures were simmering in my mind when I started my usual weekend ironing marathon on a hot Saturday afternoon. While staring at one creased shirt after another, I had a vision of a boy my son's age rummaging around in his grandma's house and finding an old photo which intrigues him. Then, probably to while away the boredom of my chore, I set off a chain of questions to myself to build the story behind that photograph, and by the time I'd finished my ironing I had a rough storyline mapped out in my head. Then I rushed to my computer and typed it all out: Fittixni had just been conceived.
Why did you choose to write a children's novel rather than one for adults?
I never gave much thought to whether the story I was writing was for children or adults. I simply had a story which had to be written, and I tried to write it in a way that I would enjoy it myself if I were to read it for the first time. So in a way I wrote Fittixni with myself as the targeted reader.
Since one of the main narrators is a 12-year-old boy, the book is being promoted mainly for readers around that age but I personally don't think Fittixni can be ring-fenced as a children's novel. Some of the themes underlying the story are quite deep, and there are inter-textual links with Maltese literary classics that will be more appreciated by olderreaders. In fact, many adults are reading and thoroughly enjoying Fittixni and I am overwhelmed by their enthusiastic feedback.
A story is a story is a story. If it is a good story and it is well written, it can be enjoyed by anyone of any age.
Do you feel that Maltese literature is appreciated enough in schools or in general?
I think there is a generally positive attitude and a growing interest in Maltese literature, but there is a problem of limited choice of quality reading material compared to the vast selection available in English.For example, when my son developed an interest in stories with a football theme, we found numerous books in English but none in Maltese.I believe thishas the effect ofencouraging young readers to start looking for English books by default and graduallydistancingthemselvesfrom Maltese literature, sometimes for good.
For the author, the limited market means that writing a book in Maltese is always a non-starter from a financial point of view. The author's revenue for months, if not years, of hard workis a measly amount, which is discouraging. I have worked in various sectors where the government provides compensation for services of public interest that would otherwise be unfeasible due to thesmall market, and I think the contribution of authors to a healthy body of Maltese literature should likewise be recognised. Recent initiatives such as introduction of public lending rights are small steps in the right direction, but this is a long way from what is needed tonourish a living, breathing Maltese literary scene.
Was it hard to exchange accountancy for writing?!
It was the hardest decision I've ever had to make.I have always wanted to write a book, but it was a wish of the sort you place dreamily in your bucket list. Meanwhile, in real lifeI started nurturing an accountancy career and a growing family at home. When the plot of Fittixnifell into my head, I finally had a story to write but with my life's packed schedule there was no way I could ever make time to write it - unlessI gave up my job.This was a terrifying thought which meant taking a leap in the dark while slashing my family's income by half, indefinitely. It seemed like madness, but the story kept calling me until eventually, with the support of family and friends, I mustered up the courage to do it.
From the first day, I started relishing the pure joy of writing, but along the way there were tough bits where I would be riddled - sometimes crippled - with self-doubt. But then the book started taking the shape I wanted, and then I found a fantastic mentor in Trevor Żahra, and then the book had the thumbs-up for publication from Merlin Publishers, and then... Fittixni was on the bookshelves! It would take me a whole book to describe how this feels!