Sarah Matthews & Rodney Matthews
About Author
Sarah and Rodney Matthews have created a new children's fantasy adventure, Oddney's Otherland: Chronicles from Beneath the Shed.
Sarah Matthews has been writing stories since she was old enough to hold a pen and she has degrees in Language & Linguistics and Philosophy. She and her husband Rodney Matthews work together on a range of projects, including Oddney's Otherland.
Rodney Matthews has illustrated speculative fiction, worked with the video game industry, and created album covers for rock bands including Thin Lizzy. Now he focuses on his own projects, including
further tales of Oddney's Otherland. Rodney is also a talented musician
and is recording his next album.
Interview
Oddney's Otherland: Chronicles from Beneath the Shed (Rodney Matthews Studios)
July 2024
When Professor Oddney discovers discovers a strange tunnel in his shed, it's the start of his adventures to the fantastical world of Otherland, accompanied by his magpie friend, Magnus, in the search for the Two-Headed Firedrake. Author Sarah Matthews and illustrator Rodney Matthews tell ReadingZone how his own pet magpie and love of fantasy worlds helped inspire their first children's adventure in Otherland.
Read an extract from Oddney's Otherland: Chronicles from Beneath the Shed
Q&A with Sarah and Rodney Matthews introducing Oddney's Otherland
"I think the story works as a great bridge between young and old and I am sure that it is an adventure
that any grandparent and grandchild can read and enjoy together."
1. Can you tell us a little about yourselves and how you started working together? What have been the highlights of your career so far?
Rodney: Since the early 1970s, I have worked as a freelance illustrator and conceptual designer of fantasy and science-fiction. My career has certainly been diverse, from illustrating book and record covers to designing video games and even my own children's TV show, Lavender Castle', produced by legendary puppeteer Gerry Anderson.
Sarah: I was a philosophy lecturer, midway through my doctorate, when I met Rodney at one of his art exhibitions in 2014. Within a couple of years we started working together and got married. Although I began as Rodney's agent, we quickly realised that we could work creatively together and that is what we do. Our desks are side-by-side and we have great fun bringing new projects to life.
I think we both agree that the highlight of our joint career was making our own children's animated short film, 'Yendor - The Journey of a Junior Adventurer', that won 30 awards on the international film festival circuit.
2. Where did your love of fantasy landscapes and stories begin? Who are your fantasy heroes?
Rodney: I was encouraged at a very early age by my father, who drew Disney characters around our living room walls! Of course, I had to copy these as best I could, sometimes adding my own creative ideas, or embellishments. My drawing skills were advancing. Later, at the village primary school, the kids were treated to nature walks which I enjoyed very much. Before I knew it, I was studying and sketching my local flora and fauna. This led on to my fantasy art style, based upon the wonders of planet Earth. These days my fantasy illustration hero is the great Arthur Rackham, known primarily for his fantastic children's classic book illustrations.
Sarah: A defining moment for me was when I was eight years old. I bought Enid Blyton's series The Magic Faraway Tree on holiday and I could not put it down. I was enthralled by this magical tree that had ever-changing lands above it, such as 'The Land of Dreams' or 'The Land of Do-As-You-Please'.
I think though, that I must have always loved fantasy. When I was around five years old I had my very own imaginary friends that I called 'Nooks'. They were tiny, colourful, bird-like creatures, around two centimetres tall, and I would idle away hours creating and starring in adventures with them! I got to be my very own fantasy hero.
3. What happens in your new book, Oddney's Otherland?
Sarah: When Professor Oddney inherits his late uncle's country cottage, his plan is to settle into retirement, but the discovery of a secret tunnel beneath his garden shed and a journal filled with bizarre creatures "of Otherland" changes everything! Could the two be connected? Oddney, always the naturalist and explorer, knows he must investigate.
In next to no time, he and his best friend, Magnus the talking magpie, find themselves venturing through the tunnel in search of one creature in particular - The Two-Headed Firedrake. Along the way they meet both friends and foe - an unpleasant Bloated Hobgoblin, the confused Rhubarbarian, a shoal of fang-snapping Great Leaping Buttock Butters, an unnerving second-hand dragon salesman, the nasty Fire Wizard and a dragon who can't seem to breath fire.
4. Why did you decide to write a children's book together, and what inspired this story? How do you plan, write and illustrate your stories?
Rodney: It was never a hard and fast decision. In 1977, believe it or not, I painted a series of watercolour images of strange and fanciful creatures intended for a catalogue-styled book on imaginary wildlife. It was to be titled The Nasties.
Because of my involvement with other work considerations the project was indefinitely shelved, although occasionally, I added a critter to the mix, and began to think of the thing in terms of a story. Then much later, I showed my idea to Sarah who fell in love with the concept, and at my request proceeded to write the story and pull the whole thing together into what we now have, a wondrous adventure tale for children.
5. Can you tell us a little about the main characters, Oddney and Magnus, and how did you decide to depict them both? It's unusual to have an older character lead a children's story, so why did you decide to do so in this story?
Sarah: As we learn in the story, Oddney rescued Magnus as a young fledgling and has looked after him ever since, which makes their relationship almost father and son-like. There is a real bond between them; they may have disagreements and get frustrated with each other but above all they love and respect each other. At times they are like polar opposites and at others - when a cheese sandwich is concerned - they are very alike. No matter how old or young we are, I like to think we can always find some common ground.
Having an older lead character just seemed to work for our story. It makes for some good exchanges between Oddney and Magnus. I tried to make it obvious from the way they speak and think that they come from entirely different generations. Oddney certainly has grey hair and uses old-fashioned terminology but his wisdom is invaluable and he is young at heart. I think the story works as a great bridge between young and old and I am sure that it is an adventure that any grandparent and grandchild can read and enjoy together.
6. How did you build the world of Otherland? Which part of Otherland would you like to visit in person?
Rodney: As I have said, Otherland has developed from a bunch of drawings and ideas, with many twists and turns, obstacles and delays, but I have always believed in our project and I'm thrilled to be able to present it to the world in its finished form. That said, there are many more participants already designed and ready to feature in our next story from Otherland.
I often visit Otherland in my daydreams so that I am familiar with some 'hidden' places. However, I am intrigued by the possible histories of the Firedrake's underground complex, and wonder what ancient civilisation constructed its ornate portal and its rock-hewn stairways, bridges and statues.
Sarah: I love riddles and puzzles, so I guess I might spend quite a bit of time at the Riddle Tree.
7. Which Otherland character did you have the most fun creating?
Rodney: That has to be the talking magpie. Magnus' character has been fleshed out and defined by Sarah and is now much more than my original sidekick to Professor Oddney.
Back in the 1950s, I had a magpie pet named Mickey who, while being free to leave, chose to stay and enjoy a ride upon my head just like Magnus with Professor Oddney. I was able to study first-hand the various characteristics of the species, including its sharp, purposeful movements, its cheeky pecking obsessions (sometimes my ear, sometimes my head or hair), its interesting and varied sounds and its strange balancing act between mistrust and endearment.
Sarah: Magnus was a complete joy from start to finish, but I'd have to say Mrs Beezer. She is Oddney and Magnus' bun-trembling, teapot-thumping nosy neighbour who watches their every move from behind her twitching curtains. She gets more outrageous as the story continues, even having an altercation with the local police.
8. How did you decide on your style of illustrations for the story, and how do you create your illustrations. Is there a character you're particularly happy with?
Rodney: I have several illustration styles that I can call upon for a variety of purposes. In the case of book art for children, I use my black pen line and watercolour technique, and of course for the Oddney book, a heavy 8B pencil completes the sketches.
The Bloated Hobgoblin was not only fun to design and paint (back in 1983), but has a track-record independent of its inclusion in our picture book. It was part of a collection of my art samples that I presented to Gerry Anderson (Thunderbirds, etc.) for his consideration. Gerry was taken with the character, to the point where he invited me to devise a children's TV series. His wish was my command! The resulting twenty-six episode show became 'Lavender Castle'!
9. Are you planning further adventures for Oddney and Magnus in Otherland? What are you working on currently?
Rodney: Yes, yes, yes and yes again! Our second story is well on the way with lots of illustrations already hot off the drawing board.
Sarah: Our working title is In Search of the Great Grey Goblin, although there will be a great deal more than goblins. I'm really looking forward to developing our characters and will maybe even reveal more of their history.
Rodney: Additionally, we are working on designs for the table card game 'Sorcery Contested Realm' and merchandise for one John Cleese. And, as a drummer, I am also working on a music album with Oliver Wakeman.
10. What do you do when you're away from your desk or studio and looking to relax?
Sarah: If I am not working, then I am either spending time with family or playing with our dog (who is really into swingball at the moment). If I really want to relax, then I go out into the garden to pull some weeds, do a little pruning or water the vegetables.
Rodney: Sleep!