Podcast Summary: Totally Booked with Zibby – Episode Featuring Fiona Davis on "The Stolen Queen"
In this engaging episode of Totally Booked with Zibby, host Zibby Owens sits down with New York Times bestselling author Fiona Davis to delve into her latest novel, The Stolen Queen. The conversation traverses Fiona's inspiration for the book, her meticulous research process, character development, thematic explorations, and offers valuable insights for aspiring authors. Below is a detailed summary capturing the essence of their discussion.
1. Introduction and Author Background
The episode opens with Zibby Owens introducing Fiona Davis, a renowned author known for her bestselling novels such as The Magnolia Palace and Lions of Fifth Avenue, which was featured in the Good Morning America Book Club (00:45). Fiona, a Columbia Journalism School graduate based in New York City, expresses her gratitude for being a recurring guest on Zibby's show, highlighting her dedication to writing prolifically (01:02).
Fiona Davis (01:10): "Thank you for helping us, you know, keep getting the word out about them. I truly appreciate that."
2. Inspiration Behind "The Stolen Queen"
Fiona shares the intriguing genesis of The Stolen Queen, which was inspired by a New York Times article about the 2018 Met Gala. The article featured Kim Kardashian in a stunning gold dress beside a recently acquired sarcophagus by the Met, sparking a viral photo that led to a criminal investigation when the smuggler involved was found to have forged export papers (02:16).
Fiona Davis (02:16): "What a weird mix of pop culture, ancient art, all embodied in one building. And what a fun thing to try and explore."
She clarifies that while Kim Kardashian's character does not appear in the book, the event served as a catalyst for the story's fusion of modern celebrity culture with ancient artifacts.
3. Research Process and Behind-the-Scenes at the Met
Fiona details her immersive research journey, which included extensive tours of the Metropolitan Museum of Art (the Met). She collaborated with the museum's communications department, gaining access to behind-the-scenes areas such as the staff cafeteria and artifact transit hallways marked with "yield to art in transit" (03:11).
Fiona Davis (04:00): "There's all these storage areas, including these ancient tunnels from the old aqueduct that used to supply water to New York. The museum was built on top of them, and they have 1.5 million objects in their collection, showing only 6% at any one time."
Her research extended to interviewing various museum staff, including docents, security guards, curators, and technicians, providing her with a comprehensive understanding of the museum's inner workings.
4. Character Development and Story Elements
Fiona elaborates on the creation of her protagonists, Charlotte and Annie. Charlotte is portrayed as a serious, enigmatic associate curator with a deep history in Egyptology, while Annie is depicted as an over-enthusiastic 19-year-old assistant to Deanna Vreeland, the Met Gala's special consultant in the 1970s (05:33).
Fiona Davis (05:36): "It's like Thelma and Louise meets Indiana Jones meets The Devil Wears Prada."
The dynamic between the characters, differing in age and temperament, forms the backbone of their reluctant partnership in tracking down a stolen artifact pivotal to both their personal and professional lives.
5. Themes Explored in "The Stolen Queen"
The novel delves into several profound themes:
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Repatriation of Artifacts: Fiona discusses the ethical dilemmas surrounding the return of artifacts to their countries of origin, highlighting issues such as inadequate storage, the potential for sale to private collectors, and the impact on scholarly access (08:40).
Fiona Davis (08:40): "Museums are grappling with whether to return pieces and the myriad consequences that come with those decisions."
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Female Relationships: Exploring the dynamics of mothers, daughters, and female friendships, Fiona aims to authentically represent these relationships despite not having children herself.
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Historical Reclamation: Inspired by the female pharaoh Hatshepsut, Fiona emphasizes reclaiming and reexamining the roles of women in history, noting how figures like Hathor Kari in her book were initially misrepresented but later recognized for their true significance (09:29).
Fiona Davis (09:29): "Reclaiming lost female figures allows us to reexamine what history is about and where women stand in it."
6. Writing Process and Organizational Methods
Fiona shares her disciplined approach to writing, emphasizing the importance of thorough research and organization. She relies on traditional methods such as yellow legal pads and pencils for initial note-taking, capturing the essence of plot ideas and character developments before transferring them to digital formats like Scrivener (18:02).
Fiona Davis (18:02): "That legal pad is the most crucial thing. If I lost it, I'd be in big trouble because that's got really the genesis of the plot."
She contrasts her method with Zibby's more imaginative, less research-intensive approach, highlighting the necessity of fact-based scaffolding in her historical fiction.
7. Overcoming Writer's Block and Collaboration
When facing creative blockages, Fiona finds solace and solutions through physical activity and collaboration with her boyfriend Greg, also a writer. This partnership allows her to gain fresh perspectives and innovative solutions to narrative challenges (21:03).
Fiona Davis (21:13): "If I'm really stuck, I go to my boyfriend Greg... and it's something you never would have imagined, but it's the simplest way to fix an issue."
8. Advice for Aspiring Authors
Fiona imparts sage advice to emerging writers, emphasizing the importance of perseverance:
Fiona Davis (22:10): "Finish the first draft. Even if it goes in a drawer, that's perfectly fine."
She encourages authors to push through the inevitable challenges of writing to create a complete manuscript, which can later be refined and perfected.
9. Future Projects and Promotional Plans
Looking ahead, Fiona is working on a new novel set in the historic Morris Jumel Mansion in Manhattan, intertwining rich historical anecdotes such as George Washington's headquarters and Lin-Manuel Miranda's connection to Aaron Burr's bedroom (15:52). She also discusses her upcoming book tour, spanning 11 states in 10 days, and anticipates continued collaboration with the Met for promotional events (22:58).
10. Closing Remarks
The episode concludes with mutual appreciation between Zibby and Fiona, celebrating Fiona's prolific contributions to the literary world and her beloved New York settings.
Fiona Davis (23:38): "Thank you for the Stolen Queen and... thank you for being by my side all this way. I truly appreciate it."
Notable Quotes with Timestamps
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Fiona on Inspiration:
"02:16 "What a weird mix of pop culture, ancient art, all embodied in one building." -
On Museum's Hidden Treasures:
"04:00 "There's all these storage areas... they have 1.5 million objects in their collection, showing only 6% at any one time." -
Character Dynamic:
"05:36 "It's like Thelma and Louise meets Indiana Jones meets The Devil Wears Prada." -
Repatriation Discussion:
"08:40 "Museums are grappling with whether to return pieces and the myriad consequences that come with those decisions." -
Writing Discipline:
"18:02 "That legal pad is the most crucial thing. If I lost it, I'd be in big trouble..." -
Advice to Writers:
"22:10 "Finish the first draft. Even if it goes in a drawer, that's perfectly fine."
This episode provides a comprehensive look into Fiona Davis's creative process, her dedication to historical accuracy, and her passion for storytelling. Whether you're a fan of historical fiction or an aspiring writer seeking inspiration, Fiona's insights offer valuable lessons and an enticing glimpse into the world behind The Stolen Queen.
Timestamp Reference
<a id="timestamp0045"></a>[00:45]
<a id="timestamp0110"></a>[01:10]
<a id="timestamp0216"></a>[02:16]
<a id="timestamp0311"></a>[03:11]
<a id="timestamp0400"></a>[04:00]
<a id="timestamp0533"></a>[05:33]
<a id="timestamp0536"></a>[05:36]
<a id="timestamp0840"></a>[08:40]
<a id="timestamp0929"></a>[09:29]
<a id="timestamp1802"></a>[18:02]
<a id="timestamp2103"></a>[21:03]
<a id="timestamp2210"></a>[22:10]
<a id="timestamp1552"></a>[15:52]
<a id="timestamp2258"></a>[22:58]
<a id="timestamp2338"></a>[23:38]