An Interview with Trudi Canavan
Interview conducted c. early 2010s
Introduction
Trudi Canavan is an internationally bestselling fantasy author best known for The Black Magician Trilogy, as well as The Age of the Five and Millennium’s Rule series. Her work is recognized for its immersive secondary worlds, accessible prose, and careful attention to character growth within structured narrative arcs.
This interview was conducted during a period when Canavan was reflecting on the balance between imagination, discipline, and long-form planning required to sustain epic fantasy. The conversation explores idea generation, outlining, research habits, and the practical discipline behind maintaining creative momentum across multiple series.
Canavan’s responses reveal a storyteller guided by curiosity and craft rather than spectacle. Her approach emphasizes preparation, steady accumulation of knowledge, and respect for the reader’s intelligence, with entertainment as the primary goal and thematic depth emerging organically.
This interview is preserved as part of the Better Storytelling Archive, documenting the voices and working methods of contemporary genre creators.
TrudiCanavan_Interview
The Interview
Life as a Writer
How did you get into writing?
Somewhere between seeing The Empire Strikes Back as a child and reading The Lord of the Rings as a teenager. The first inspired a desire to invent worlds and characters; the second focused that impulse into a desire to write those stories down.
When did you first realize that you have what it takes to be a writer?
As a child, you tend to assume you can do anything if you work hard enough. The first real confirmation came when my first short story was accepted for publication by Aurealis magazine.
Premise
Where do you get your ideas from?
From both the real world and invented ones. I look at how things are—or were—and imagine how a fantasy element might have influenced them. I also examine what other storytellers have done and ask whether it could be taken further, sideways, or into territory that hasn’t been explored recently.
How do you develop your ideas into a story?
I take notes, let ideas evolve, and do research as needed. Once the story arc is clear, I write an outline. Shorter works wait for the right time; novels often have to sit patiently until they reach the top of the contract queue.
Genre
What kind of stories do you enjoy working with?
Fantasy, especially secondary-world fantasy. For short fiction, I’m more experimental and might write modern fantasy, horror, or science fiction.
What genres would you like to explore in the future?
Horror is the most likely, though I’ve enjoyed writing lighter work as well and may return to it.
Structure
Do you work from an outline?
Yes.
Plot
How do you build your story?
I write from beginning to end. With a solid outline, I don’t feel the need to jump ahead. There’s room to deviate slightly—such as adding a new character if a perspective is missing—but the core events usually remain stable. When managing multiple point-of-view characters, I track their timelines carefully to ensure balance.
Character
For you, what makes a great hero?
A character you can sympathize with, despite their flaws.
If one of your characters were to describe you, what would they say?
They’d probably find me boring—or resent me for all the unpleasant things I’ve done to them.
Setting
How much time do you spend researching the setting for your stories?
It’s impossible to calculate. I’m constantly absorbing information that may prove useful. Targeted research is only a small part of the process compared to daily curiosity. One of my key pieces of advice is to stay curious about everything.
What settings would you like to explore in the future?
All of them.
Theme
Do you like to know the purpose of your story before you sit down to write it?
The primary purpose is to entertain and stimulate the reader. If a story raises questions or invites reflection, that’s a bonus—but it should never preach.
Dialogue
Do you have any favorite lines from your stories?
Many—though some are probably more meaningful to me than to readers. One of my favorites is: “I can’t lie around all day, I’m on a Quest.”
Writing Process
Do you have a routine?
I write in a home studio. Mornings are for administrative work; afternoons are best for creative writing. I don’t usually write with music playing, though I may listen beforehand to set the mood for a particular scene.
How do you deal with writer’s block?
I don’t get writer’s block so much as writer’s procrastination. Discipline—sitting down and starting—is usually the cure.
Story Development
How do you go about fixing a story?
I gather feedback, compare responses, explore solutions through outlining, and then apply the necessary changes. Often the solution already exists somewhere in the story and simply needs to be brought forward.
How do you know when to stop?
I don’t begin writing—or outlining—until I know how the story will end.
Words of Advice
What words of advice would you give to new writers?
Write. Writing well takes time, so get started. Write what you enjoy, keep improving, never stop learning, and read widely.
Final Thoughts
What’s the best thing you’ve ever written?
The last really good scene I wrote—before I start polishing it.
What are you working on now?
A new fantasy trilogy titled Millennium’s Rule, set across multiple interconnected worlds with differing cultures and technologies.
Closing
This interview captures Trudi Canavan’s thoughtful, disciplined approach to fantasy storytelling. Her reflections emphasize curiosity, preparation, and respect for the reader, offering insight into how imagination is sustained through structure and steady craft.
Presented here as part of the Better Storytelling Archive, this conversation preserves a voice shaped by long-form planning, creative patience, and a commitment to stories that endure.