I am soooo excited to host my very first underwater interview here at The Wide-Eyed, Legless, and I couldn't be happier that it's with artist, storyteller, and overall Goddess, Marilena Mexi, author of The Antara Saga! If you haven't heard of these epic illustrated novels, (I feel sorry for you. I kid, I kid!) here's a synopsis of book one in the saga: Antara.
Peace and tranquility on the island of Aster, home to both humans and 'merfolk', has long been broken by a devastating phenomenon, recurring every five years. A storm including gusting winds and huge waves mysteriously appeared and eradicated much of the population. The misunderstandings, suspicion and hate born of this disaster have torn the two races apart, and the peace loving merfolk are now in a never-ending struggle to prove their innocence and restore peace to the island. On the human side, things are even worse; under the tyranny of cruel king Orestis, the people suffer and all their king cares for is vengeance against the “fish”, as he spitefully calls them, executing merfolk after merfolk for just being near his lands. Secrets, intense emotions and strange phenomena will upset their lives forever.
TW-E,L: Mermaids are having a revival/renaissance in pop culture right now, when did you first discover mermaids?
Marilena:
I agree, I think that there's definitely a hype about mermaids this summer. I liked mermaids since I was a child. I remember myself from a small age drawing mermaids and reading stories with mermaids. My grandfather was a fisherman, and occasionally he used to tell me stories about mermaids when we were going together for fishing here in Greece. So it was definite that my first story would be mermaid-related. I love the sea, as I have grown up close to it, and I’m completely fascinated by these creatures.
TW-E,L: I’m always amazed by author/illustrators; to have the talent to bring your vision to life in both illustration and words is truly a gift. Did the idea of Antara come to you in words first, or in pictures?
Marilena:
I started making the illustrations first, while I still had the story in my mind. One day, I decided to white the whole story down and create a book, where the reader could read and see the concept art as well. I had initially created more illustrations, and in the end I picked the best ones to be included in the books. I wanted to create the world of Antara as good as possible, and then describe it as beautifully as possible. I don't want the readers to just read the book, I want them to travel to a magical world, and feel like they are a part of it.
TW-E,L: Antara is also a love story, why do you think people are drawn to stories about humans falling in love with mythical creatures (and vice versa)?
Marilena:
They say that opposites attract, so I think that a love story between two different creatures is more intriguing. There are difficulties and big differences between them; it is something unusual, but also mysterious and charming.
TW-E,L: It took you six months to write Antara and over two years to illustrate it, how long did it take you to complete the sequel and final book in the Antara saga, Ninemia?
Marilena:
Ninemia was completed in eight months; I devoted less time in the second book compared to Antara, because it's half its size, and contains fewer illustrations. Writing and illustrating a book without the support of a literary agent or publisher is a very difficult task. However, even though Ninemia is a small book, it is also my favorite, for many reasons.
TW-E,L: Do you plan on writing more about merfolk in the future? (Merfolk not in the world of Antara.)
Marilena:
I love mermaids very much, and I would like to continue writing books about those beautiful creatures; but that will depend on the feedback of the readers to a great extent. If readers love Antara, that will give me the strength to carry on writing stories for sea creatures, which I admire so much.
TW-E,L: Okay, let's have a little fun and play a game of This or That. Here we go...
SALT OR SUGAR
Marilena: Salt, because it comes from the sea.
PIRATES OR SAILORS
Marilena: Pirates, because they look cooler.
HCA'S LITTLE MERMAID OR DISNEY'S LITTLE MERMAID
Marilena: Hans Christian Andersen, because I believe that his story is more enchanting and makes you wonder if mermaids really exist.
WHICH IS WORSE: GILLS OR WEBBED FEET
Marilena: Gills; they look weird.
FISH TAIL OR OCTOPUS ARMS
Marilena: Fish Tail! Much more elegant and much faster!
Marilena is giving away a copy of Antara to one lucky urchin! To enter, simply leave a comment in this post, (Say hi, compliment Marilena on her beautiful book, or tell the world why mermaids are freakin' awesome.) and I'll select a winner at random via Random.org. I'd sleep better at night if entrants were over the age of 13, and international urchins are welcome to enter, too. Deadline to enter is August 3rd 2011.
In my childhood I dreamed I was a mermaid. And childhood is sacred. Thanks for share your dreams.
Posted by: Medusa Dollmaker | 07/20/2011 at 11:04 AM
amazing,I have to read your book.I have been into my own endevour for several years,I have named it 'THE MERMAID CHRONICLES' and now that I have heard of your series I will surely push onward and upward.By the way ,my book is an autobiography .I am 56 yrs.old on the two legged part of my journey,longer and older on the legless and eons on the ethereal and spiritual plane .Thank you for letting me share with you.
my name is Christina
Posted by: christina ellen cronin | 07/20/2011 at 02:31 PM
Hi
These illustrations leave me spellbound, I am drawn in by the flick of their fins and depths of the waters.....so magical are these beings of the oceans.....i want to be there swimming with them!
Posted by: juliet prentice | 07/20/2011 at 05:21 PM
The illustrations are wonderful! I love mermaids (>_<)
Posted by: Audrey | 07/21/2011 at 10:02 AM
All the best to the author, really fantastic illustrations.
Posted by: Oscar | 07/21/2011 at 10:56 AM
Simply gorgeous illustrations. A very beautiful due of books to own and show off for certain!
Posted by: Mariya | 07/21/2011 at 11:16 AM
Your art is beautiful! and I'm eager to find out about the story :)
Posted by: Emily | 07/21/2011 at 12:14 PM
Great interview! The illustrations are gorgeous and the story sounds really interesting.
Posted by: Marjolijn | 07/21/2011 at 01:36 PM
Your work is amazing...! Respect!
Posted by: Evaki | 07/21/2011 at 01:44 PM
I've always liked the HCA's Little Mermaid best too!<3 It has more depth of feeling, in my opinion.
Posted by: Susanna | 07/21/2011 at 03:40 PM
Beautiful work darling! The second part too!
Keep it up and mind you, mermaids are cool (despite the fact that they don't wear bowties) and they are awesome and get to live on 70% of the planet and eat sushi all the time without even having to be Japanese! :P
Well done!
Posted by: Pat Tsibalidi | 07/21/2011 at 07:13 PM
Awesome !
I love mermaids, they are really more beautiful and tasty than thuna :-P
Antara is one of the greatest piece of art of 2011, wish you success.
Posted by: Horlf | 07/22/2011 at 03:31 AM
Great!
I absolutely adore Marilena's artworks and mermaids are fantastic! I remember that the first doll that I owned was actually a mermaid :)
Posted by: Talestriss | 07/23/2011 at 08:41 AM
Yay for merfolk books! I have one coming out soon as well, and I'm so glad to hear about others. I'm def adding this one to my Must Read pile. :)
Love the illustrations too!
Posted by: Karen Hooper | 07/24/2011 at 09:05 AM
Marilena your work is amazing! Brilliant illustrations and great inspiration! :-)
Posted by: Efi Theohari | 07/28/2011 at 02:01 AM
what a beautiful soul you have and an aura of such delightful color.I am full of joy because we are "SEASISTERS"
Posted by: christina ellen cronin | 08/01/2011 at 11:03 AM