SEEDS-Athel Forsythia Interview


HOME   INTERVIEWS   AUTHOR COMMENTARY   DELETED SCENES   BLOOPERS   BUY BOOK


Athel Forsythia Interview

Question: What is the strongest memory you have from the making of this book?

Answer: Oh, the rashes, definitely.

Question: Rashes?

Answer: Yeah, it turns out that I'm really really allergic to Deutzia. Even just holding her, if I like brushed up against her I'd end up with this bright rash all over that side of my body. Once we knew that, we tried rehearsing the scene without her, and then when we'd write the scene a filler character would just quickly bring her out, we'd do the scene, and then as soon as we were done they'd take Deutzia away and just smear a thick layer of aloe vera all over me. I looked like a white ooze-monster or something.

Question: Did that work?

Answer: Um, it worked for a few weeks, but then after a while I started becoming allergic to the aloe vera cream. Turns out it is made from plants. Who knew, right? So, after a week of being swollen like a blueberry they had made up a cardboard cut out of Deutzia for me to hold during the scenes, and then the writer edited Deutzia back in during post production.

Question: Why are there so many books piled up on the floor in Athel's room? Wouldn't a princess have a bookshelf?

Answer: You know, what, that is a really good question. There is a funny story behind that. Okay, originally there was a bookshelf. It was really nice, like carved and everything. So, the first day of plotting we're doing the scene where Privet and I duel. Oh, wait, I need to back up. Okay, so one of the stipulations of Mr. Yeager's contract is that a cheese danish has to be placed next to his chair like all the time...

Question: A cheese danish?

Answer: I know, weird, right? Okay, so during the first day of plotting one of the filler characters thought it was part of the catering and ate the thing. So, Mr. Yeager got so mad he kicked the setup and put his foot right through the wall. It and left a huge hole in the side of the room. For some reason none of our carpenters were there that day. I think someone said they were all at the lagoon location making the cave sets, so all anyone could think of was to take out the bookshelf and just pile books in front of the hole and we shot the scene as best we could. True story.

Question: So, during the writing you and Privet were dating...

Answer: Oh, boy, I knew this was coming.

Question: And then you stopped...

Answer: Yes.

Question: Can you tell us why?

Answer: Well, we had a day off and he took me on a day-hike up to see this gorgeous waterfall. While we were up there we dropped some water balloons down on some tourists, and then we kissed for a while...

Question: Is he a good kisser?

Answer: The best. Anyway, when I got home my chin was itching, and when I looked in the mirror I realized that I had the same rash I get when I touch Deutzia.

Question: And that is when you knew.

Answer: That is when I knew that he was making out with my tree behind my back.

Question: And so you broke up with him?

Answer: Oh, no, we were never really together. He was always free to date other people, and so was I. But, it felt like he was cheating on me, and that is what counts.