Author Q&A with Lynn Roberston

By Mihaela Bodlovic

LynnRobertson Hay is author of The Young Testament – full-length retellings of the Jesus story for preteens. She also writes for BBC TV, audio and the stage, and won a Writers’ Guild award for Best Children’s Theatre. Her first feature film, Brave the Dark, stars Jared Harris and Nicholas Hamilton.

What was your inspiration behind a book set at Christmas?

When I first set out to tell the Jesus story from the point of view of the children who were there, I only intended to cover the grown-up Jesus. Two books, that was the plan – Galilee and Jerusalem – with the second book spilling into what came after, the book of Acts. (In hindsight, that would have been far too much for one book!)

So I started with Jairus’s Girl, the Galilee side of the story.

But there was always a pull to do the Nativity as well. I mean, why wouldn’t you?! Then someone said I should write a book about the Samaritans who met Jesus, and it hit me: that would make four books, like the Gospels! And a fifth to take us into Acts. Neat, huh?

This means I’ve accidentally done a Narnia, writing the second book first, but I’m so glad I did go back to pop in this Christmas prequel of Joseph’s Boy.

What’s your favourite scene in your book?

Oh, there are so, so many! Not sure if I’m allowed to say that – it sounds very big-headed, but it’s true. Some I had great fun with, and others moved me as I wrote them. But describing the whole of heaven emptying through a rip, filling the night sky over Bethlehem with angels as Jesus is born was awesome – in every sense!

Does your MC like Christmas, dislike Christmas, or are they indifferent?

Jamie is furious! He’s only seven. To begin with he’s super-keen for his dad to marry this lovely young woman called Mary (in fact, he thinks it’s his idea), then he feels very important when he realises that he, of all boys, has been picked to be the Chosen One’s step brother! But when it actually happens, he realises that no one is interested in him – all they want to see is Jesus. Even the flock of sheep shoves him out of the way.

What does Christmas Day in your household look like?

These days I spend it with my elderly parents. My mother is very frail and can’t get out of bed, but there’s still much opportunity for laughter. We have our traditions, including a ludicrous number of small presents with cryptic, funny comments on the tags. Takes us hours to open them!

What’s your most cherished Christmas memory?

Again, there are so many. Walks in the snow after a big meal when I was little, in the countryside around the tiny village where I grew up – magical! Our boxer dogs used to plunge into a snow drift and come out, sneezing, yards further along.

As an adult, waiting in the wings in costume, listening to the audience singing along to the pre-show music. Several hundred children suddenly recognising and joining in with “So here it is, merry Christmas” or “Oh I wish it could be Christmas every day” at the top of their voices is absolutely extraordinary, and it happens every time!

If you had to buy your MC a Christmas presents what would it be?

What could you give to someone whose family has been presented with gold, frankincense and myrrh? But, being seven, I think Jamie would be very happy with a big cake. Chocolate, probably; it hadn’t been discovered in his time, so that would be a huge treat.

What’s your favourite book set at Christmas?

It’s got to be A Christmas Carol. Entertaining and scary, with wonderful characters and plot, yet driving home such important social points. It gets me every time!

If you could spend Christmas Day with any of your characters who would it be and why?

I suppose it would be cheating to say Jesus! I’m very fond of Joseph – his faithfulness and courage, but also his quiet sense of humour. He’d make us all very welcome, I’m certain – and the decorations crafted by him would be spectacular.

What has been your biggest achievement in 2021?

Ha! Unexpectedly, my first ever feature film has just been produced – and it’s starring Jared Harris, who has to be one of the most incredible actors living! Still can’t quite believe it. It fell through completely at the start of the pandemic, but just a few months ago they regrouped and it’s already finished filming.

What are you working on for 2022?

I’m halfway through writing the third book of The Young Testament, That Woman’s Girl. It follows the exploits of ten-year-old Kat, a skilled thief and runaway – an outsider’s view of Jesus! I’m also finishing up an audio commission which I can’t talk about yet, but I hope might lead to more of the same as it’s a dream come true. If anyone wants to find out more about what I’m up to, hop on the mailing list on my website – saltedlightly.com 🙂

This or that…

Real Christmas Tree or False Christmas Trees?

Real

Tinsel or No Tinsel?

Tinsel

Mince Pies or No Mince Pies?

All the mince pies!

Christmas books or Christmas films?

Christmas films

Christmas Eve or Christmas Day?

Christmas Eve. I love the anticipation and particularly a midnight carol service

Christmas Tunes or Silence?

Christmas Tunes, whether carols or pop 🙂

Author Q&A with Lynn Roberston