Get ready to learn more about the book The Unicorn, The Mystery in this discussion with sapphic author Janet Mason.
Join us for an exclusive peek behind the scenes as we quiz Janet Mason about The Unicorn, The Mystery, writing, reading, and more.
This book is part of the Asexual / Ace Spectrum Character category in the 2024 IHS Reading Challenge.
Why did you write The Unicorn, The Mystery?
I wrote this book to tell the story of the unicorn tapestries (seven tapestries) in a room at the cloisters in New York City, in a building now owned by the Metropolitan Museum of Art. I was standing in the room when the muse descended on me and whispered in my ear “Now, here is an untold story.” I researched what is known as “the unicorn room” at the cloisters later and to this day the tapestries are described “as an untold story.” In the process of telling the story from the perspective of the nonbinary unicorn and the asexual monk who also lives in the cloisters, I also learned quite a bit about life in the Middle Ages–a period of history that I had avoided before.
Who is your favorite character in the book?
I have a few to choose from including the asexual monk and two lesbian nuns who have to keep their relationship a secret but have a cat together (cats were forbidden in the Middle Ages because they were considered Satanic), but I would have to say that my favorite character is the nonbinary unicorn. We have a lot in common! The unicorn is also a symbol of the LGBTQ community.
What was the biggest challenge writing this book?
The biggest challenge was learning about the Middle Ages, a period of history I had avoided before because it seemed so horrible. It was a horrible time in many ways, but the saving grace of the period was that most people believed in the existence of unicorns.
What part of The Unicorn, The Mystery was the most fun to write?
Learning about unicorns was fun and interesting. The other part, which wasn’t exactly fun but important, was that it was written right after the 2016 U.S. Presidential election and I got a lot of my feelings of betrayal out about the suburban white straight women who voted for Trump. The unicorn is betrayed by a maiden in the novel.
How much research did you need to do for The Unicorn, The Mystery?
I did a great deal of research for the book which involved reading about the time period, watching movies, learning about the influences including the Greek and Egyptian myths which have always fascinated me. In particular, I read the story (a long poem) of Metamorphoses which was written by Ovid. The asexual monk character in my novel remembers his mother telling him the stories.
What is your favorite line from your book?
My favorite line comes near the close of the book; “Find your own warrior princess inside of you.”
How do you celebrate when you finish your book?
I had (initially for health reasons) changed my diet to a plant-based diet and my partner took me out to a plant-based restaurant near us and we sat in an alcove in the front window. I had a true fairy princess experience there. The unicorn would approve!
Do you have any odd writing quirks?
I don’t know if it is a quirk, but whenever I am writing, I see and hear things that relate to my writing. For instance, my partner and I walked a labyrinth with some women from our Unitarian church and I felt like we were all in the Middle Ages. It was like I was actually there.
What do you do to get inside your character’s heads?
I found myself naturally obsessed with and drawn to unicorns and all things that had to do with the Middle Ages, including flying dragons which are not in the book. I read as much as I could about the Middle Ages, including the plants and animals that lived at that time in that period. Many friends lent me books and I saw the world through the lens of the Middle Ages until I was finished writing the book.
If you could be mentored by a famous author (living or not), who would it be?
I think my mentor would be Sappho. It was because of her that I fell in love with Greek mythology which factors into this book. I’ve long been inspired by her passion.
Are there any books or authors that inspired you to become a writer?
Anything by or about Sappho has long inspired me. Another author who inspires me is Willa Cather, who was the first lesbian writer I read (that I knew was a lesbian). I read all of her books. I guess the fact of being able to become obsessed with something (or someone) factored very heavily into my development as a writer.
What books did you grow up reading?
I was very influenced by E. B. White (who wrote Charlotte’s Web) and other authors who wrote from the point of view of animals. This factored very heavily into me identifying with the unicorn and writing the story depicted in the tapestries.
