How to Sail to Somewhere by Ashleigh Barton
Lothian Children’s Books (Hachette Australia)
Author Interview with Ashleigh Barton about How to Sail to Somewhere
‘I have used to go there with my mum. She loved books. She said they were the adventure you could have when you couldn’t have an adventure. Whatever that means.’
(How to Sail to Somewhere)
This is the book I’ve been waiting for from Ashleigh Barton. How to Sail to Somewhere is wondrous, beautifully set in a ‘real’ world with a hint of fantasy, imaginative, thoughtful and adventurous. It really does transport the reader to ‘somewhere’.
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How to Sail to Somewhere by Ashleigh Barton
Thank you for speaking with Joy in Books at Paperbark Words, Ashleigh.
Thank you for taking the time to read my book and ask these insightful questions!
Your title How to Sail to Somewhere is inviting but also happily enigmatic. How does the book’s cover illustration illuminate it?
Thank you! Oddly enough, the title actually came to me before most of the plot. I had the characters and the general premise but it wasn’t until this title popped into my head that the story really began to unravel. I’m not sure where the title came from, but it felt so fitting of the story I wanted to tell – a story grounded in reality but with a touch of whimsy and a larger-than-life adventure. I love the cover and think it really captures the vibe of the story. It is so whimsical and raises questions but also the sense of potential for finding answers. Hats off to Hachette, cover designer Kirby Armstrong and illustrator Nancy Liang – they’ve done an incredible job.
Could you please introduce Bea?
Bea, our protagonist, is a sweet and lonely kid who is dealing with the loss of her favourite person in the world. I see her as quiet and observant, and whilst she’s always up for fun and adventure, she’s the kind of person who really needs an instigator which is why Byron and later Arabella are so important.
How does where she lives help set the scene for her circumstances and adventure?
While Bea’s town is small, it’s filled with so many things to explore – so much that Bea doesn’t feel like she’ll ever get to discover it all. This made for the perfect setting for all her adventurous summers with Byron (who somehow knows it better than Bea does, despite not living them himself) as well as the summer she spends looking for answers without him. The coastal setting gave way to even greater unknowns with all the mysteries of the ocean and the island of Somewhere right there on Bea’s doorstep.
What is so special or magical about maps and islands?
Maps and islands offer a sense of adventure and the possibility of discovering the unknown. In this particular story, Bea and Arabella are hoping the island of Somewhere holds the answers they’re both looking for.
What do you love about summer or ‘somewhere’?
To me, summer is a very optimistic time where you’re given the space to escape from the busyness of life. Summer evokes a sense of freedom, or at least a break from usual routine. The warm weather and expected time off from regular commitments offer a chance to step outside your normal life, explore and seek adventure. Summer is also a great opportunity to spend more time by the ocean, something I find to be such a huge catalyst for creativity.
What is your favourite food that’s mentioned in the story?
I really loved writing all the descriptions of food in this story. None of the food I’ve described are real-life favourites, but if I could try any of them, it would have to be something made by Reggie like the fish sandwich Bea wishes Byron could have tried.
What is one of Bea’s misconceptions or something she learns this summer?
One of the misconceptions I can mention without it being too much of a spoiler is Bea’s misconception of the kind of person Arabella is. She assumes Arabella is this popular girl who would never have any interest in being friends with Bea, but the truth is Arabella is just as lonely and is dealing with her own loss.
How do you contrast Arabella’s father, Reggie, with Bea’s parents?
Bea’s parents are intentionally absent from the story, with very little page time and no description. It was important for the story and Bea’s character for her to be dealing with her loss alone. I think her parents were well-intentioned but didn’t know how to deal with their situation so they completely avoided it. Reggie also takes an avoidant approach, but in the sense he refuses to talk about things. He is present and hands-on but his refusal – or inability – to address their circumstances leaves Arabella troubled by many unanswered questions.
What is the significance of one of your character’s names?
Bea’s last name is Glass, which I took from the band Looking Glass because I kept getting their song ‘Brandy (You’re A Fine Girl)’ stuck in my head when I was writing this story. It wasn’t intentional, but I liked that it ended up being a happy little play on ‘sea glass’. And R.J. Melville is a nod to Herman Melville who of course wrote a number of books about the ocean.
What is the role of the weather in the story?
The weather in this story helps represent the how unpredictable life can be. Bea’s town is hit by frequent storms which appear to come out of nowhere and wreak a lot of havoc – much like things that happen in our lives that are out of our control.
How would you describe the story’s atmosphere or tone?
The feeling I had writing this story was a mix of melancholy and hopefulness – I hope that’s what’s come through!
What place does imagination have in either your story or your life?
Imagination plays a huge role in my life – I am constantly stuck in my head, thinking up stories and characters that I hope will one day end up in published books. In Bea’s case, her imagination leads her down paths she might not otherwise head down and also causes her to misunderstand some of the things that are happening around her.
Which stories have influenced your writing of How to Sail to Somewhere?
I read so much as a child and I think all the stories I read must have played some kind of role deep within my subconscious. I read a lot of contemporary fiction by authors like Judy Blume, Robin Klein and Morris Gleitzman, and also a lot of mysteries like Enid Blyton’s Famous Five and Secret Seven as well as series like Trixie Belden and Nancy Drew.
Who do you think will enjoy reading this story?
Anyone who likes a story is grounded in reality but with a larger-than-life adventure, and anyone who enjoys a story that addresses big themes in a gentle way. I hope it’s one of those middle grade novels that adults enjoy reading as much as children!
What have you enjoyed reading recently?
Recently, I’ve really loved revisiting some of my childhood favourites with my children, like Roald Dahl’s Matilda and the Milly-Molly-Mandy series by Joyce Lankester Brisley. Me and my almost-seven-year-old are also really enjoying Urban Legend Hunters by Joel McKerrow, and I’ve just started reading and am loving Nova Weetman’s beautiful memoir, Love, Death and Other Scenes.
How should people contact you?
Through my website and Instagram (@ashleighjbarton) is the best way.
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