INTERVIEW by ALAIN BOUCHET with SYLVIE WOLFS

Alain Bouchet :
Hello Sylvie !

Sylvie Wolfs :
Hello

Alain Bouchet :
Sylvie, you recently became a writer and you're currently rewriting a version of your first novel entitled:

"The Eye of the Black Wolf".

For what reason did you chose to become a writer?

Sylvie Wolfs :
I have always had a fondness for the imaginary, and have been thinking up stories since my early youth.
A friend of mine kept all my works, saying:
"Just in case, one day, you'll become famous …" J

I consider writing as a way to escape reality.
And the reason why I'm writing?
Difficult to say, I can't explain it very well. But I can tell you that it's a need, as it makes me feel good. I find it a rather unconstrained way of expressing myself. Starting from a blank page, there are no real limits and (almost) everything is possible… To a certain extent, one doesn’t owe anything to anyone. There's just one's imagination and the capacity to transcribe into words the things that you have in mind. Writing means freedom for me, and it allows me to breathe.
I only lately became an author because I felt up till then that I didn’t have the maturity necessary to do it. A certain perspective and a capacity to take one’s distance are essential to be able to express intimate and often very complex feelings. This is important not only to be able to write but it also gives one the strength to face other people’s opinions and criticism and to reply to them once one has exposed one’s  work.
A further reason is that, for a long time, I devoted myself to my children who're now grown up.
I do not really consider myself as a writer (the term seems much too “intellectual” to me, I only have a General Certificate of Education) but rather as a kind of novelist, or as the Indians say: "a good medecin…".

Alain Bouchet :
Why did you choose the subject of the American Indians and in this case the Lakotas (Sioux) in particular?

Sylvie Wolfs :
I think this originates in my early childhood. I have always been very interested in this 'other world', this other universe, which is to be found in ourselves, and in everybody...
My very first drawings pictured wigwams, Indians, horses… Besides, as I grew up, I spent many Sunday afternoons watching westerns on telly with my mother. I found them magical, and my idol was none other than Clint Eastwood, whose poncho and cigarillos enchanted me. From the start I loved this character!
As to the Indians, for me they symbolised freedom, fairness and courage…They made me quiver! Really!
These positive and strong impressions have been lodged in me ever since. My view of the Indians did however evolve over time. My childhood fantasies turned into a real interest for things like spirituality and the customs of these people. The Sioux, those warriors of the plains, seemed an obvious choice to me.
Much later, for example, I saw a movie made by Kevin Costner: "Dances with Wolves". It is one of the most beautiful movies I've ever seen.

What inspires me?
Definitely cinema rather than literature.
Not so very long ago I began reading other novels about the subject. The latest one for example was "Savages" by Melanie Wallace. It is a very interesting work, and there is a lot one can say about it.

Alain Bouchet :
Where you given opinions, or did people make comments about your work?

Sylvie Wolfs :
Yes. I would like to mention "Old Buck", the guard of the Crowned Pipe of the Abékanis Nation of Québec !
He's a humble and unpretentious man, very warm and hearty but also very sensitive to other people. Someone who knows what he's doing. I like him very much!

I was very lucky to meet him. And little by little, I believe that we were able to develop a friendship based upon mutual trust. He always supported me and encouraged me by giving me a lot of advice.
Personal message: Thanks a lot "Old Buck"!

At one point I was wondering whether I truly had the “right” to write, or even speak about the subject. I was afraid of being disrespectful, and of disappointing…Again "Old Buck" cheered me up, and encouraged me, all along the way. I guess that without him I would never have been able to finish my novel.
It was essential to me to follow Old Buck's advice.

But there is another thing… there is something which tells me that, in a certain way, I'm close to him. Here I am talking about the man and not his origins. He is a man of a very great value.
I think that he is maybe the only one who really felt that Indians (or their spirituality) were 'living' in me, helping me to go on, to feel better, more generous, to be humble and just to feel alive…
As I remember these words something tugs at my heart. It remains a very acute feeling yet I cannot really put it into words. One day "Old Buck” said to me: "Your heart is red…" and I believe him.

Alain Bouchet :
Wasn't “Old Buck” surprised that a woman should tell stories about men and warriors? What did you do to get into the skin of these people and especially the spirit of a Sioux Warrior?
I read the preface of "Old Buck" and I now understand that he was struck by the way you brought the spirit of the "Red Warrior" to life.

Sylvie Wolfs :
Yes, he contacted me about this. I think that to a certain extent we're like actors. You have to be able to picture the character before progressively embodying it. As I mentioned previously, this calls for a certain maturity.
When I was 20, I wasn't capable of entering a character. Now I'm ready (or so I hope).
Like actors, you have to "love" and understand the characters. From then on it becomes easier to bring them to life.
Often, I am almost dreaming when I write… I'm in a particular state of mind. This is why I say, for example, that "the warrior whispered his story in my ear". Is this true or is it my imagination? I can't say. But in any case, I like all my characters, even the bad, ugly and wicked ones…! J
The version of my novel that I'm working on right now will be a rather “feminised” one: I’m integrating more and more of Jewel O’Connor.

Clint Eastwood once said :
"At the time, women were treated like second-class citizens, and prostitutes formed a subclass in this already underprivileged class”.
In this version, I'll present the destiny of a woman, who starts off as a victim but who becomes stronger with time….just turn the pages and see…

Alain Bouchet :
Sylvie, you're a mother of five children. How do you conciliate your life as a novelist with your family life?


Sylvie Wolfs :
I'm very busy (as busy as a bee) ! I get up at about five or six o’clock every morning and that’s still not early enough (hi, hi). I have a lot of housekeeping to do, and write whilst the children are at school.
At week-end this is less easy, as the kids are at home and there is a lot of bustle and noise! I sometimes wonder how I get to write even a few pages. It’s definitely not easy to cope with. Not so long ago I bought myself a PC which no one else has the right to touch…!

Alain Bouchet :
And your husband, Yann, who is a photographer, is he a good source of advice for you?

Sylvie Wolfs :
At the beginning of my adventure he just observed me, aware of my lack of confidence. He chose to remain at a distance so as not to influence me.
He knows me!
I had to work things my own way, and express myself. He pushed me, yet at the same time, he didn't impose anything upon me. He just let me do things, quite rightly!
As to me, I wanted to write on my own, the moment had come to do things my own way.
By doing that, I realize now, he proved an important support for me. He's always there but leaves me my freedom.
Of course, he always checks afterwards…as usual. He's not very romantic but he takes care of me  ! J

Alain Bouchet :
And your kids, are they interested in your work? We could call them "your little tribe"…..

Sylvie Wolfs :
Maybe, ask them yourself…!
Some of them mentioned my profession at school. I hope to leave something, a trace, for the future, for the day when I’ll no longer be there. There are also some very personal things in my writings which they will only understand later…. They’re too young for the moment.

Alain Bouchet :
And your search for a good publisher…?

Sylvie Wolfs :
A dream has come true with “Timée editions” : after more than three years of hard work… I recently became a real novelist !
A serious publisher is interested in my work and we've settled an agreement, that is to say with a contract and everything ! God…. I’m very lucky.
I shall share my experience on my website when I next have a moment.
I would like to say to other authors : "Just persist, you never know…! And impose yourself !"

Alain Bouchet :
A few last words for the interview?

Sylvie Wolfs :
Thank you all for everything… !
I hope that I won't disappoint you…!
Bye
Thank You Alain!

Alain Bouchet :
See you soon!
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Sylvie Wolfs has been interviewed by

Alain Bouchet, Webmaster of "The Sioux Nation" ("La Nation Sioux")