Suzy Davies's Blog: Book News
December 15, 2024
Feeling a Bit Miffed!
I'm feeling a bit miffed because, try as I might, I haven't won any books this year :)
This is the first year this has happened, and I still hope Santa will come knocking, with something on my wish list to review.
Usually I am a lot luckier, and each time I hear a UPS van, or look in the mailbox, it feels as if something is missing.
This is the first year this has happened, and I still hope Santa will come knocking, with something on my wish list to review.
Usually I am a lot luckier, and each time I hear a UPS van, or look in the mailbox, it feels as if something is missing.
The Girl in The Red Cape by Suzy Davies
What is your book about?
Brother and sister, Billy and Stella compete in the Junior Race with their dog-sledding teams. All kinds of dangers await them, not least the wolves. Their step-brother, Tom, a solitary Inuk, has angered the pack. Queen Wolf is missing. The wolves will make good their loss or seek their revenge.
At the heart of the story, Stella, a rookie musher, is on the threshold of womanhood. “The Girl in the Red Cape” is running with wolves, dancing across the virgin snow. All alone, it’s Stella against the wilderness. But sometimes an invisible power supports her. And she has her loving Gran, always by her side, and friends who encourage her.
Stella, now grown, will catch a dream…
My book is a heartwarming action adventure fairytale, that speaks of the power of family, friendship, loyalty and courage, qualities we all need to succeed in life and flourish.
What is your inspiration for the story?
My inspiration for this book comes from my reading and my childhood. I have always loved fairytales, and my favorites are those classic reads written by Charles Perrault and by Hans Christian Andersen. I wanted to write the kind of story that would appeal to children and young adults, 9 to 12 years old, and the young at heart. I decided an animal fairytale would be best. I also wanted a tale with a magical theme and one that had all the enchantment and wonder of a snowy Winter Wonderland.
My idea was to create a modern retelling of Charles Perrault’s, “Little Red Riding Hood,” complete with an endearing shape-shifting Grannie-Can-Do, and a lone wolf at the centre of the tale. Children are far more sophisticated than they were at the time the original tale was written. So, I made the mystery of the wolf more intriguing, and gave more dimension to the central character, “Little Red Riding Hood.” I decided to make this Stella a young, shy teen, about to come of age, gain in confidence, and reach for her dreams. I gave her a loving, supportive family with a helpful brother, Billy, who was close. Their relationship was inspired by siblings I know who stand by each other through thick and thin. Stella and Billy have an almost telepathic empathy between them, and the relationship is real with all the teasing and rivalry that accompanies a deep intimacy and love.
I wrote in a love interest sub-plot, which brings out the protective qualities a good brother has for his sister. This romantic aspect of my book is clean, and suitable for young people, 9 to 12, to read.
My lead characters, Stella and Billy, are three-dimensional and they do have to overcome uncertainties, obstacles and challenges in order to self-actualise. But the whole feel of this action adventure fairytale is energised and positive, with a fast pace, so they are not weighed down by their difficulties, they rise to meet the opportunities in them! I think I drew on my own life, and the challenges I faced as a young woman as inspiration here.
I wished to make a character of the setting for my story; I have always thought that people are part of their environment and that where they live influences, though does not determine, their characters. A challenging wilderness – Alaska – seemed the perfect place to bring out Stella and Billy’s characters, and to make them each, in their own way, heroes in the story. The Wales of my early childhood days influenced my writing – just like Alaska it was wild and untamed, and a fairytale setting, full of enchantment and wonder.
I agree with the great E.B.White who famously said:
“Always be on the lookout for wonder”
For me, snow always takes me back to my imaginings as a child, and to the wonder in nature. It’s with that kind of imagination that I write.
From an early age, I was an outdoorsy kind of girl. I even went horse-riding in the snow. Dog racing is a similar sport. It was easy for me to imagine the up and down motion of the sleds racing through the snow-covered terrain. When you are riding or mushing you can go to places that people can only dream of, and your view of the world is different, depending on whether you are moving at a trot or a gallop, slow or fast, going through woods or climbing up to high terrain.
Back at the converted Welsh mansion, where I grew up in an extended family, we lived with my Gran in the top floor flat, we always had snow in winter. The flat was high, high up, with huge windows, and I had a bird’s eye view of the snow for miles around. I remember being fascinated by snow-filled skies, the gleaming quality of frost on the trees and bushes in the garden, and the powder of a light dusting on the rooftops of the terraces all around. On car rides, the mountains were awe-inspiring with snow on the peaks, the fields were seas of snow, and the waterfalls, magical crystal ice-tunnels. One year, we visited my cousins in Slough. Snow had formed a high wall over the cars, so we were snowed in. It was not difficult for me to imagine Alaska in the snow, and all the kinds of snow the mushers encountered.
Later in life, when I was studying Social Psychology at university, I discovered that The Inuit have an impressive variety of words for different kinds of snow because their survival depends on it. In my tale, the Mushers’ journey involves negotiating unpredictable weather and conditions; a metaphor for the journeys of our lives, where we adapt in order to thrive.
Hans Christian Andersen’s wonderful fairytale descriptions of snow in “The Snow Queen” inspired me to make the scenes, sometimes with powder-like “dust from the cosmos,” and sometimes with high walls of snow, or vast ocean-lakes of snow, sound beautiful. I have always loved travel, and I wrote the story not only with the reader’s eyes at ground level, but also introduced aerial views of the landscape to give the journey dream-like interludes and a panoramic effect. I have always loved traveling by plane, including light aircraft, and this experience came in useful in helping me make the story.
The illustrations, by Michele Bourke, bring out the magical elements of Alaska’s scenery and its wildlife in a wonderful way.
This interview was first published by Readers Magnet.
Brother and sister, Billy and Stella compete in the Junior Race with their dog-sledding teams. All kinds of dangers await them, not least the wolves. Their step-brother, Tom, a solitary Inuk, has angered the pack. Queen Wolf is missing. The wolves will make good their loss or seek their revenge.
At the heart of the story, Stella, a rookie musher, is on the threshold of womanhood. “The Girl in the Red Cape” is running with wolves, dancing across the virgin snow. All alone, it’s Stella against the wilderness. But sometimes an invisible power supports her. And she has her loving Gran, always by her side, and friends who encourage her.
Stella, now grown, will catch a dream…
My book is a heartwarming action adventure fairytale, that speaks of the power of family, friendship, loyalty and courage, qualities we all need to succeed in life and flourish.
What is your inspiration for the story?
My inspiration for this book comes from my reading and my childhood. I have always loved fairytales, and my favorites are those classic reads written by Charles Perrault and by Hans Christian Andersen. I wanted to write the kind of story that would appeal to children and young adults, 9 to 12 years old, and the young at heart. I decided an animal fairytale would be best. I also wanted a tale with a magical theme and one that had all the enchantment and wonder of a snowy Winter Wonderland.
My idea was to create a modern retelling of Charles Perrault’s, “Little Red Riding Hood,” complete with an endearing shape-shifting Grannie-Can-Do, and a lone wolf at the centre of the tale. Children are far more sophisticated than they were at the time the original tale was written. So, I made the mystery of the wolf more intriguing, and gave more dimension to the central character, “Little Red Riding Hood.” I decided to make this Stella a young, shy teen, about to come of age, gain in confidence, and reach for her dreams. I gave her a loving, supportive family with a helpful brother, Billy, who was close. Their relationship was inspired by siblings I know who stand by each other through thick and thin. Stella and Billy have an almost telepathic empathy between them, and the relationship is real with all the teasing and rivalry that accompanies a deep intimacy and love.
I wrote in a love interest sub-plot, which brings out the protective qualities a good brother has for his sister. This romantic aspect of my book is clean, and suitable for young people, 9 to 12, to read.
My lead characters, Stella and Billy, are three-dimensional and they do have to overcome uncertainties, obstacles and challenges in order to self-actualise. But the whole feel of this action adventure fairytale is energised and positive, with a fast pace, so they are not weighed down by their difficulties, they rise to meet the opportunities in them! I think I drew on my own life, and the challenges I faced as a young woman as inspiration here.
I wished to make a character of the setting for my story; I have always thought that people are part of their environment and that where they live influences, though does not determine, their characters. A challenging wilderness – Alaska – seemed the perfect place to bring out Stella and Billy’s characters, and to make them each, in their own way, heroes in the story. The Wales of my early childhood days influenced my writing – just like Alaska it was wild and untamed, and a fairytale setting, full of enchantment and wonder.
I agree with the great E.B.White who famously said:
“Always be on the lookout for wonder”
For me, snow always takes me back to my imaginings as a child, and to the wonder in nature. It’s with that kind of imagination that I write.
From an early age, I was an outdoorsy kind of girl. I even went horse-riding in the snow. Dog racing is a similar sport. It was easy for me to imagine the up and down motion of the sleds racing through the snow-covered terrain. When you are riding or mushing you can go to places that people can only dream of, and your view of the world is different, depending on whether you are moving at a trot or a gallop, slow or fast, going through woods or climbing up to high terrain.
Back at the converted Welsh mansion, where I grew up in an extended family, we lived with my Gran in the top floor flat, we always had snow in winter. The flat was high, high up, with huge windows, and I had a bird’s eye view of the snow for miles around. I remember being fascinated by snow-filled skies, the gleaming quality of frost on the trees and bushes in the garden, and the powder of a light dusting on the rooftops of the terraces all around. On car rides, the mountains were awe-inspiring with snow on the peaks, the fields were seas of snow, and the waterfalls, magical crystal ice-tunnels. One year, we visited my cousins in Slough. Snow had formed a high wall over the cars, so we were snowed in. It was not difficult for me to imagine Alaska in the snow, and all the kinds of snow the mushers encountered.
Later in life, when I was studying Social Psychology at university, I discovered that The Inuit have an impressive variety of words for different kinds of snow because their survival depends on it. In my tale, the Mushers’ journey involves negotiating unpredictable weather and conditions; a metaphor for the journeys of our lives, where we adapt in order to thrive.
Hans Christian Andersen’s wonderful fairytale descriptions of snow in “The Snow Queen” inspired me to make the scenes, sometimes with powder-like “dust from the cosmos,” and sometimes with high walls of snow, or vast ocean-lakes of snow, sound beautiful. I have always loved travel, and I wrote the story not only with the reader’s eyes at ground level, but also introduced aerial views of the landscape to give the journey dream-like interludes and a panoramic effect. I have always loved traveling by plane, including light aircraft, and this experience came in useful in helping me make the story.
The illustrations, by Michele Bourke, bring out the magical elements of Alaska’s scenery and its wildlife in a wonderful way.
This interview was first published by Readers Magnet.
December 1, 2024
Funny Peculiar, Funny Ha-ha, or Funny Ridiculous? How to Write a Funny Book for Kids.
This blog is about how to write a funny kids' picture book. We all know there are different kinds of funny, but the most important thing is to write what makes kids laugh. So, here's my take, drawing on my newest write, "Poop The Dragon."
Funny language.
Kids like words that are unusual, because of the novelty value. So Ginormous may be more fun than large, for example. Ginormous is a kind of exaggeration, which also makes it funny. Onomatopoeia is funny to kids, who love it when words sound like what they are. So I used Poof! for the farty dragon in our book. What people say about characters can be funny. "What a dragon!" is over the top, and humorous, because later on little readers find out why folks say this about Poop.
Exaggerate.
Remember when you were a kid everything seemed bigger and better than now, and most probably being an adult is the start of a discovery that things that used to impress no longer do. Well, kids love writing that exaggerates so that what you write is only just believable with a huge stretch of the imagination.
Deep inside, kids have an idea of the over-the-top-ness of it all, and this is what makes them laugh. When I wrote "Poop The Dragon," I drew inspiration from "The Simpson's" house for the Dragon's Cave at the end of my book. Bart Simpson's home is decorated in dazzling technicolor so that creates a very lasting impression in kids' imaginations. Poop's cave is luxurious, and very colorful, in an over the top kind of way, and this juxtaposes with something stinky, surprising, yet very real indeed, that kids won't find out till the end of the story.
Naughty Humor.
Taboo subjects, especially to do with slapstick, bodily function humor is irresistible to kids. It's great to break taboos with laughter, since there are situations in life where, when they are grown, kids will have to cope with sharing personal information with health practitioners, for example. A child who loses inhibitions will be an adult who can be open to talking about "private bodily functions" when necessary.
Goofy is Funny.
Write a goofy character, or show a character that is relatable to kids making everyone else, (especially adults,) look goofy and this will be fun for kids. It's reassuring for kids to see that adults have flaws, and make mistakes. In fact, in my book, I show adults and their kids driving and running away from Poop The Dragon's stinky surprises, and being exasperated by what Poop does and the absolute chaos he creates. In a sense, all power to our dragon!
Unexpected Twists and Turns.
The key in any joke is to let it build and build, leading the listener on, maybe with a few turns and twists, to keep the listener's attention, and then the BIG twist at the end that takes the listener by surprise. I think our book IS a kind of joke. In fact, when I pitched the book to my publisher I said, "I bet you dare not publish this book!"
A Sense of the Absurd.
If you create a character whose behavior is funny, but he/she has no real sense of it, at least at first, this is funny. Characters that are idiosyncratic and naughty are memorable and funny because they stand out in kids' minds, and the naughtiness makes kids love them, most probably because even the most angelic of kids is naughty sometimes and they identify with them.
Funny Cartoon Art.
Characters with funny facial expressions that show exaggerated emotions make kids laugh, so the whole story comes alive as kids read.
Funny language.
Kids like words that are unusual, because of the novelty value. So Ginormous may be more fun than large, for example. Ginormous is a kind of exaggeration, which also makes it funny. Onomatopoeia is funny to kids, who love it when words sound like what they are. So I used Poof! for the farty dragon in our book. What people say about characters can be funny. "What a dragon!" is over the top, and humorous, because later on little readers find out why folks say this about Poop.
Exaggerate.
Remember when you were a kid everything seemed bigger and better than now, and most probably being an adult is the start of a discovery that things that used to impress no longer do. Well, kids love writing that exaggerates so that what you write is only just believable with a huge stretch of the imagination.
Deep inside, kids have an idea of the over-the-top-ness of it all, and this is what makes them laugh. When I wrote "Poop The Dragon," I drew inspiration from "The Simpson's" house for the Dragon's Cave at the end of my book. Bart Simpson's home is decorated in dazzling technicolor so that creates a very lasting impression in kids' imaginations. Poop's cave is luxurious, and very colorful, in an over the top kind of way, and this juxtaposes with something stinky, surprising, yet very real indeed, that kids won't find out till the end of the story.
Naughty Humor.
Taboo subjects, especially to do with slapstick, bodily function humor is irresistible to kids. It's great to break taboos with laughter, since there are situations in life where, when they are grown, kids will have to cope with sharing personal information with health practitioners, for example. A child who loses inhibitions will be an adult who can be open to talking about "private bodily functions" when necessary.
Goofy is Funny.
Write a goofy character, or show a character that is relatable to kids making everyone else, (especially adults,) look goofy and this will be fun for kids. It's reassuring for kids to see that adults have flaws, and make mistakes. In fact, in my book, I show adults and their kids driving and running away from Poop The Dragon's stinky surprises, and being exasperated by what Poop does and the absolute chaos he creates. In a sense, all power to our dragon!
Unexpected Twists and Turns.
The key in any joke is to let it build and build, leading the listener on, maybe with a few turns and twists, to keep the listener's attention, and then the BIG twist at the end that takes the listener by surprise. I think our book IS a kind of joke. In fact, when I pitched the book to my publisher I said, "I bet you dare not publish this book!"
A Sense of the Absurd.
If you create a character whose behavior is funny, but he/she has no real sense of it, at least at first, this is funny. Characters that are idiosyncratic and naughty are memorable and funny because they stand out in kids' minds, and the naughtiness makes kids love them, most probably because even the most angelic of kids is naughty sometimes and they identify with them.
Funny Cartoon Art.
Characters with funny facial expressions that show exaggerated emotions make kids laugh, so the whole story comes alive as kids read.
October 21, 2024
Author Spotlight: An Audience with Jessica Scachetti.
What gave you the idea to become an author?
I’ve always loved to write. I’ve kept books I wrote as a kid that I’ve been thinking about editing
and turning into published books, which I’ll expound on more in a later question. When
lock down took place in 2020, I really saturated myself in writing since there was so much free
time at hand. After I penned out “Wonder of Light” and read it to some of my friends and family,
whom loved it, I started considering publishing. I researched how to self-publish, which led me
to Fiver, where I decided to hire a gig for formatting, cover creation, and the launching of my
first published work. The gig even did some promo for me the first few days in. I continued the
same gig for my all my other published works but learned how to launch them through KDP on
my own. So, they’ve only handled the formatting and covers on my last three books.
Whose books have influenced your writing?
I can’t credit any specific Authors to have influenced my writing, but the romantic suspense
genre has inspired me, as I used to binge read many of those type of books. The Holy Bible has
evidently had an impact since I do write in the Christian genre and correlate many of my beliefs
to the New Testament books. Believe it or not, I haven’t read a significant number of Christian
books. Prior to becoming an Author, I hadn’t honestly read Christian books because of their bad
rep. for being “cheesy,” “overly preachy” and/or “sugar-coated.” I know that isn’t always the
case, as I have read some really fantastic Christian books, but being able to find the time to read
while working full-time, being an Author and attempting to run a handcrafted candle business
while also “home-lifing”, is slim.
You write Christian Romance. What would you say are the main differences between
mainstream Romance Novels and novels which are Christian Romance?
The main difference between mainstream (or “secular” as we Christians call it) and Christian
romance are the faith contents, or lack thereof when it comes to secular stories. Christian
romance novels are deemed as such for offering a faith message, like redemption or salvation
through Jesus Christ along with the love story. The love tends to remain clean, since biblically
speaking, intimacy should wait until the couple unites in holy matrimony. With Christian
romance you almost always get a happy ending because living a life of faith in Jesus Christ
promises for an endless happy ending; one of peace and love that is free of sin and pain.
Mainstream romance can be clean or dirty and can have a happy or sad ending, but the faith and
moral aspects are typically absent or questionable.
Where are your books set? What time period are they set in?
My books are all set in the 21 st century. “Wonder of Light” and its sequel, “From Dark to Light”
are set in a fictional (small) military town in Texas. The second book does have a scene located
in the UAE, as it is military-inspired. The final installment to that series, “Back to the Light,” is
set in both New York and Texas and involves the next generation. My mafia-inspired book starts
in Galveston, Texas, centers in Kansas, and concludes in Chicago, Illinois.
Who is your favorite character in a book penned by you?
My favorite character has got to be Catherine from "Back to the Light." She reminds me of myself in not giving up on the man that she loves even when what he's done seems unforgivable.
Do you have any special writing advice for Christian Romance authors?
Don’t be afraid to get a little gritty for those of us who have had a rough go in life, it’s nice to
resonate with imperfect characters and realistic struggles.
How long does it take you to complete a book?
When I was writing, “Wonder of Light,” I was sort of playing around with the storyline over an
extended period, but when I got inspired to publish it, I fine-tuned and completed the entire story
in less than a month. I honestly got so excited that I went a little too quick and didn’t edit it well.
It had many minor grammatical errors, but it was enough to cause me some backlash. I penned
the next book and published it two months later, and then my third book a month after that. My
last book was about eight months later because the holidays and catching COVID slowed me
down. I’ve been off and on working on the 5th book, but so many challenges have come up in my
personal life that I couldn’t find the time and paused writing for a significant while. Now I spend
a lot of my free time pushing my already published books and candles. On a brighter I have
started writing again. I’m working on a revamp and relaunch of “Wonder of Light.” Nothing
major, but I am refining the original work and expanding on some scenes.
What is your writing process?
I write whenever I can find the time, whether that be on my lunch break at work or at night or on
the weekends when not busy wearing my other many hats.
Writers wear many hats. Outside of writing, how do you spend your time?
I wear an array of caps at this point in my life. I juggle between working full time, momming
two young boys, caring for 7 pets (4 dogs, 2 cats and a pig), making candles, and promoting my
books and candles, along with promoting other Authors and small business owners in my
monthly newsletter.
What kinds of things, apart from writing and books, inspire your work?
Aside from books and writing, my faith plays a huge part in inspiring my work. The social media
communities I interact with have been phenomenal in boosting my inspiration. Feedback from
readers has inspired me to perfect and re-publish “Wonder of Light.”
Do you work in silence or do you like background music?
Background noise, whether music, loud kids, television, or whatever other chaos surrounds me,
does not impact my writing. Once I’m in the zone, everything else fades away.
Do you ever write on trains, planes or in public places, such as cafes?
I mostly write on a desktop computer. So, I can’t say that I have. Although, if an idea comes to
mind when I’m not at home, I make a note of it on my phone to pen later.
Describe your writing space. What is on your desk?
There’s nothing special about my writing space. Right now, it’s cluttered since we relocated our
office space in the house. The only thing on my desk of significance is the computer screen,
keyboard and mouse.
Who is the audience for your books?
Non-judgmental Christians or those curious about or returning to faith that love a good
redeeming romance, but not looking for an overly preachy read.
Have you ever done a book signing event? Where was it and how did it go?
I haven’t done one yet. Not to say that I wouldn’t, I simply haven’t planned or sought one out.
Although, I have sold my books at a candle event and signed copies per customer request.
We authors often have to engage in marketing. Do you enjoy publicizing your book, and do
you handle publicity yourself? Do you enjoy marketing?
I do handle my own marketing and publicity, but I use platforms such as Mailer Lite, for my
newsletter, and Bookfunnel, for group promos. X has been the best social media platform for
visibility. I’ve met a lot of wonderful fellow creatives who support me, and I, them. It’s my
marketing/promoting my books an enjoyable experience. I have also used Pubby for book
reviews, which worked out great when I had the time to read books in exchange for reviews.
However, I just don’t have the time to set aside for it anymore.
What books do you have in the works at the moment?
I’m currently working on the second installment of my mafia series, which I postponed for a
couple years. I’m also working on the rewrite of “Wonder of Light,” as previously mentioned.
I’m not making any major changes apart from a couple added scenes and grammatical edits.
What can we expect from you in the future?
I wrote a children’s book and a drama when I was a teenager that I’m hoping to rewrite and
publish at some point. If I can pull them together into a great story, I’ll definitely put them into
print.
Have you ever written books outside your usual genre?
I’ve partially written a memoir of sorts about my life/love story that I may not ever make public.
It’s a sordid tale, and I’m not sure if I want to make it public. I have also considered writing
some secular romance novels but haven’t started anything yet. Although, I do have some ideas.
So, we shall see. If I ever publish my children’s book, I may continue to write more.
What kind of books do you like reading, and why?
I do miss reading. If I had the time, I’d read both secular and Christian romantic suspense, as I
enjoy love stories with a little bit of action.
I’ve always loved to write. I’ve kept books I wrote as a kid that I’ve been thinking about editing
and turning into published books, which I’ll expound on more in a later question. When
lock down took place in 2020, I really saturated myself in writing since there was so much free
time at hand. After I penned out “Wonder of Light” and read it to some of my friends and family,
whom loved it, I started considering publishing. I researched how to self-publish, which led me
to Fiver, where I decided to hire a gig for formatting, cover creation, and the launching of my
first published work. The gig even did some promo for me the first few days in. I continued the
same gig for my all my other published works but learned how to launch them through KDP on
my own. So, they’ve only handled the formatting and covers on my last three books.
Whose books have influenced your writing?
I can’t credit any specific Authors to have influenced my writing, but the romantic suspense
genre has inspired me, as I used to binge read many of those type of books. The Holy Bible has
evidently had an impact since I do write in the Christian genre and correlate many of my beliefs
to the New Testament books. Believe it or not, I haven’t read a significant number of Christian
books. Prior to becoming an Author, I hadn’t honestly read Christian books because of their bad
rep. for being “cheesy,” “overly preachy” and/or “sugar-coated.” I know that isn’t always the
case, as I have read some really fantastic Christian books, but being able to find the time to read
while working full-time, being an Author and attempting to run a handcrafted candle business
while also “home-lifing”, is slim.
You write Christian Romance. What would you say are the main differences between
mainstream Romance Novels and novels which are Christian Romance?
The main difference between mainstream (or “secular” as we Christians call it) and Christian
romance are the faith contents, or lack thereof when it comes to secular stories. Christian
romance novels are deemed as such for offering a faith message, like redemption or salvation
through Jesus Christ along with the love story. The love tends to remain clean, since biblically
speaking, intimacy should wait until the couple unites in holy matrimony. With Christian
romance you almost always get a happy ending because living a life of faith in Jesus Christ
promises for an endless happy ending; one of peace and love that is free of sin and pain.
Mainstream romance can be clean or dirty and can have a happy or sad ending, but the faith and
moral aspects are typically absent or questionable.
Where are your books set? What time period are they set in?
My books are all set in the 21 st century. “Wonder of Light” and its sequel, “From Dark to Light”
are set in a fictional (small) military town in Texas. The second book does have a scene located
in the UAE, as it is military-inspired. The final installment to that series, “Back to the Light,” is
set in both New York and Texas and involves the next generation. My mafia-inspired book starts
in Galveston, Texas, centers in Kansas, and concludes in Chicago, Illinois.
Who is your favorite character in a book penned by you?
My favorite character has got to be Catherine from "Back to the Light." She reminds me of myself in not giving up on the man that she loves even when what he's done seems unforgivable.
Do you have any special writing advice for Christian Romance authors?
Don’t be afraid to get a little gritty for those of us who have had a rough go in life, it’s nice to
resonate with imperfect characters and realistic struggles.
How long does it take you to complete a book?
When I was writing, “Wonder of Light,” I was sort of playing around with the storyline over an
extended period, but when I got inspired to publish it, I fine-tuned and completed the entire story
in less than a month. I honestly got so excited that I went a little too quick and didn’t edit it well.
It had many minor grammatical errors, but it was enough to cause me some backlash. I penned
the next book and published it two months later, and then my third book a month after that. My
last book was about eight months later because the holidays and catching COVID slowed me
down. I’ve been off and on working on the 5th book, but so many challenges have come up in my
personal life that I couldn’t find the time and paused writing for a significant while. Now I spend
a lot of my free time pushing my already published books and candles. On a brighter I have
started writing again. I’m working on a revamp and relaunch of “Wonder of Light.” Nothing
major, but I am refining the original work and expanding on some scenes.
What is your writing process?
I write whenever I can find the time, whether that be on my lunch break at work or at night or on
the weekends when not busy wearing my other many hats.
Writers wear many hats. Outside of writing, how do you spend your time?
I wear an array of caps at this point in my life. I juggle between working full time, momming
two young boys, caring for 7 pets (4 dogs, 2 cats and a pig), making candles, and promoting my
books and candles, along with promoting other Authors and small business owners in my
monthly newsletter.
What kinds of things, apart from writing and books, inspire your work?
Aside from books and writing, my faith plays a huge part in inspiring my work. The social media
communities I interact with have been phenomenal in boosting my inspiration. Feedback from
readers has inspired me to perfect and re-publish “Wonder of Light.”
Do you work in silence or do you like background music?
Background noise, whether music, loud kids, television, or whatever other chaos surrounds me,
does not impact my writing. Once I’m in the zone, everything else fades away.
Do you ever write on trains, planes or in public places, such as cafes?
I mostly write on a desktop computer. So, I can’t say that I have. Although, if an idea comes to
mind when I’m not at home, I make a note of it on my phone to pen later.
Describe your writing space. What is on your desk?
There’s nothing special about my writing space. Right now, it’s cluttered since we relocated our
office space in the house. The only thing on my desk of significance is the computer screen,
keyboard and mouse.
Who is the audience for your books?
Non-judgmental Christians or those curious about or returning to faith that love a good
redeeming romance, but not looking for an overly preachy read.
Have you ever done a book signing event? Where was it and how did it go?
I haven’t done one yet. Not to say that I wouldn’t, I simply haven’t planned or sought one out.
Although, I have sold my books at a candle event and signed copies per customer request.
We authors often have to engage in marketing. Do you enjoy publicizing your book, and do
you handle publicity yourself? Do you enjoy marketing?
I do handle my own marketing and publicity, but I use platforms such as Mailer Lite, for my
newsletter, and Bookfunnel, for group promos. X has been the best social media platform for
visibility. I’ve met a lot of wonderful fellow creatives who support me, and I, them. It’s my
marketing/promoting my books an enjoyable experience. I have also used Pubby for book
reviews, which worked out great when I had the time to read books in exchange for reviews.
However, I just don’t have the time to set aside for it anymore.
What books do you have in the works at the moment?
I’m currently working on the second installment of my mafia series, which I postponed for a
couple years. I’m also working on the rewrite of “Wonder of Light,” as previously mentioned.
I’m not making any major changes apart from a couple added scenes and grammatical edits.
What can we expect from you in the future?
I wrote a children’s book and a drama when I was a teenager that I’m hoping to rewrite and
publish at some point. If I can pull them together into a great story, I’ll definitely put them into
print.
Have you ever written books outside your usual genre?
I’ve partially written a memoir of sorts about my life/love story that I may not ever make public.
It’s a sordid tale, and I’m not sure if I want to make it public. I have also considered writing
some secular romance novels but haven’t started anything yet. Although, I do have some ideas.
So, we shall see. If I ever publish my children’s book, I may continue to write more.
What kind of books do you like reading, and why?
I do miss reading. If I had the time, I’d read both secular and Christian romantic suspense, as I
enjoy love stories with a little bit of action.
"Make Em Laugh": Why Humor in Kids' Books is Excellent for Your Child!
It is well-documented that laughter is good for health, but there's a bit more to it than that. Humor in kids' books, develops life skills for kids, and here's how.
According to the Kids Experts in Children's Minnesota, you will be delighted to hear of the following, and I quote among the many benefits of reading funny children's books are:
"A good sense of humor is a tool that kids can rely on throughout life to help them: see things from many perspectives other than the most obvious
be spontaneous
grasp unconventional ideas or ways of thinking
see beyond the surface of things
enjoy and participate in the playful aspects of life
not take themselves too seriously."
Of course, sharing jokes is a way that kids find things in common with their peers, and a good laugh shared is twice as fun!
The bodily functions humor in my newest picture book, "Poop The Dragon," aims to take away the embarrassment some children feel when talking about "Poo" and to help develop an openness about that and farting, for example. In actuality, kids of early school age love slapstick and bodily functions kind of humor. My publisher, Lizy J. Campbell, CEO of Elite Lizzard Publishing, has illustrated this book in a fun Disney kind of way. Poop The Dragon is larger than life, and will appeal to kids' imaginations and make them laugh out loud!
Research shows that humor helps "pull in" reluctant readers and grabs their attention. Laughter, of course, triggers the natural "pleasure chemicals" in the body, so adult parents and grandparents who read along with their kids, will find that humor is contagious, and they will reap the proven therapeutic benefits, too.
Part of social and emotional learning, sharing funny stories reduces stress and builds a child's community of friendship, where kids learn we are all learning and growing, and it's okay to make mistakes from time to time.
According to the Kids Experts in Children's Minnesota, you will be delighted to hear of the following, and I quote among the many benefits of reading funny children's books are:
"A good sense of humor is a tool that kids can rely on throughout life to help them: see things from many perspectives other than the most obvious
be spontaneous
grasp unconventional ideas or ways of thinking
see beyond the surface of things
enjoy and participate in the playful aspects of life
not take themselves too seriously."
Of course, sharing jokes is a way that kids find things in common with their peers, and a good laugh shared is twice as fun!
The bodily functions humor in my newest picture book, "Poop The Dragon," aims to take away the embarrassment some children feel when talking about "Poo" and to help develop an openness about that and farting, for example. In actuality, kids of early school age love slapstick and bodily functions kind of humor. My publisher, Lizy J. Campbell, CEO of Elite Lizzard Publishing, has illustrated this book in a fun Disney kind of way. Poop The Dragon is larger than life, and will appeal to kids' imaginations and make them laugh out loud!
Research shows that humor helps "pull in" reluctant readers and grabs their attention. Laughter, of course, triggers the natural "pleasure chemicals" in the body, so adult parents and grandparents who read along with their kids, will find that humor is contagious, and they will reap the proven therapeutic benefits, too.
Part of social and emotional learning, sharing funny stories reduces stress and builds a child's community of friendship, where kids learn we are all learning and growing, and it's okay to make mistakes from time to time.
April 1, 2024
The Snow Queen by Suzy Davies - A Retelling of Hans Christian Andersen's Fairytale Story.
Let me take you back to London Town, in the old days. A sister and brother live in an upstairs tenement.They are poor and not yet worldly-wise. My book, “The Snow Queen” takes you to this London you may already know or have read about. But although the metropolis is very real, it is seen through a magic lens in the mind’s eye.
The city shivers with chiming voices on fragile winds that sigh. The presence of an ethereal beauty rides the wintry landscape. Children are in a playground on the swings. Back and for, back and for, they ride. Time stands still in an innocent world of cars and trains, traffic lights, steaming chips and ketchup, Christmas trees and oily rainbows on cracked concrete… and Mum at home awaiting them…
Yet as they grow, and the years pass slowly, someone else — a wizard — is watching. He has a plan. To conjure a spell to ensnare a boy, a teenager of good character, a hard-working boy, Adam. He will be The First Slave.
And so, through this dark conjuring, this malevolent wizardry, the world of reality and the world of magic collide. The dark force of the wizard’s magic will be known and felt. And the children of the world will be held captives forever…
Far, far away, over the ocean, all the enchantment and wonder of a glittering winter; a winter in The Snowlands, a place of mystical animals that tread the land and soar on the wind awaits. This is a mythological land of dreams.
A shoemaker is making a boot fit for a king. A princess awaits in her Danish castle with her horses who follow the star of Pegasus. A seamstress in Rovaniemi is sewing a gown of sparkling threads and jewel-drops, fit for a queen.
The Snow Queen resides in the frozen glass Ice Palace in Norway. She is waiting for her wizard. Together, they will be an evil power couple, and rule till the end of days.
A Snow Goose rides through the storm, carrying Sean to his one true love.
A brave dwarf has a plan…
Adam slumbers, a prisoner, alone in the fairy tower on the west wing of The Ice Palace. Beside his bed, a game of chess, the black king toppled over.
Aragog lies in wait in her glistening web …and always, there’s dark magic…
The wind whistles through the skeleton tree. In her crystal ball, the old gypsy caught a glimpse of what would befall her daughter. The three sisters cast their spells, harnessing good and the forces of nature.
There is yet a ray of hope. Truth be told in the prophecy of The Book of The Ancients.
In a fair world of good and evil, there’s a battle ahead. Justice is all in this moral universe. Darkness consumes itself. The Light shines forever. Shimmering rainbows dance through shadows in the snow. Celestial light glows from the heavens.
The world of “The Snow Queen” is a romantic world; a fairytale, of castles and queens, rivalry, jealousy, revenge, destiny and inheritance. It is a world of sacrifice and redemption.
My book is an epic love story. Bryony, a young warrior with dark gypsy eyes, is the heroine. Over the sea, as if in a dream, she rides, and back again, on an ocean of forgiveness, to a land, long forgotten, back in time…
The Idea for The Snow Queen
My book is a reimagining of Hans Christian Andersen’s original story.The seed of an idea to have a gypsy protagonist in my story came from my late dad’s cousin who was a television producer for Children’s BBC Wales. At a churchyard gate, in Llanberis, she informed me that on my late dad’s side of the family, we are descended from Roma people.
My Writing Process
I have written at length about my writing process on Goodreads. Basically, I combine plotter and pantser tactics. I have an outline of the story and a sense of an ending before I begin writing. However, I think you can overplan, so I revise and adjust my ending at intervals in line with the resolution of the story. The characters “tell me” which way to go. It’s a process of forward and back, and thorough editing before it all comes together. I think spontaneity is what makes writing full of life and exciting. From the seed of an idea, to outlining, writing and several edits, it takes me about 18 months to write a book this length. Part of this is because I enjoy tackling a variety of projects so I am never working on one project full time until I reach the editing stage.
A Meeting of Hearts, Hands and Minds
After writing my book, I wondered how best I might share it with people across the globe. It was just like a fairytale, a dream come true, when I discovered, quite by chance, the enchanting multi faceted world of air and paper created by the world-acclaimed paper cut artist, Bit Vejle, who is the founder of The Museum for Paper Art in Blokhus, Denmark. My fairytale journey did not end there. I revisited Musuem Odense, and found the courage to approach them with a view to featuring some of Hans Christian Andersen’s paper cuts in the paperback and hardback editions of my work. I was so fortunate that Niels Friis agreed, much to my delight! Now our book is a dream come true — something I have dreamed about all my life!
Book Blurb
The Robber Girl is back! Bryony has a special destiny, foretold in The Book of The Ancients.With her dark eyes on a handsome Roma boy, Sean, and a gypsy crown, she has a battle to win, cheating death. She must rescue Adam from the Snow Queen’s web of evil, defeating the wizard and his dark sorcery. If she fails, the evil couple will cast a maleficent shadow of doom across the world, enslaving all children until the end of time. In this tale of romance, magic, rivalry, inheritance and destiny, a heartwarming epic journey awaits.
The city shivers with chiming voices on fragile winds that sigh. The presence of an ethereal beauty rides the wintry landscape. Children are in a playground on the swings. Back and for, back and for, they ride. Time stands still in an innocent world of cars and trains, traffic lights, steaming chips and ketchup, Christmas trees and oily rainbows on cracked concrete… and Mum at home awaiting them…
Yet as they grow, and the years pass slowly, someone else — a wizard — is watching. He has a plan. To conjure a spell to ensnare a boy, a teenager of good character, a hard-working boy, Adam. He will be The First Slave.
And so, through this dark conjuring, this malevolent wizardry, the world of reality and the world of magic collide. The dark force of the wizard’s magic will be known and felt. And the children of the world will be held captives forever…
Far, far away, over the ocean, all the enchantment and wonder of a glittering winter; a winter in The Snowlands, a place of mystical animals that tread the land and soar on the wind awaits. This is a mythological land of dreams.
A shoemaker is making a boot fit for a king. A princess awaits in her Danish castle with her horses who follow the star of Pegasus. A seamstress in Rovaniemi is sewing a gown of sparkling threads and jewel-drops, fit for a queen.
The Snow Queen resides in the frozen glass Ice Palace in Norway. She is waiting for her wizard. Together, they will be an evil power couple, and rule till the end of days.
A Snow Goose rides through the storm, carrying Sean to his one true love.
A brave dwarf has a plan…
Adam slumbers, a prisoner, alone in the fairy tower on the west wing of The Ice Palace. Beside his bed, a game of chess, the black king toppled over.
Aragog lies in wait in her glistening web …and always, there’s dark magic…
The wind whistles through the skeleton tree. In her crystal ball, the old gypsy caught a glimpse of what would befall her daughter. The three sisters cast their spells, harnessing good and the forces of nature.
There is yet a ray of hope. Truth be told in the prophecy of The Book of The Ancients.
In a fair world of good and evil, there’s a battle ahead. Justice is all in this moral universe. Darkness consumes itself. The Light shines forever. Shimmering rainbows dance through shadows in the snow. Celestial light glows from the heavens.
The world of “The Snow Queen” is a romantic world; a fairytale, of castles and queens, rivalry, jealousy, revenge, destiny and inheritance. It is a world of sacrifice and redemption.
My book is an epic love story. Bryony, a young warrior with dark gypsy eyes, is the heroine. Over the sea, as if in a dream, she rides, and back again, on an ocean of forgiveness, to a land, long forgotten, back in time…
The Idea for The Snow Queen
My book is a reimagining of Hans Christian Andersen’s original story.The seed of an idea to have a gypsy protagonist in my story came from my late dad’s cousin who was a television producer for Children’s BBC Wales. At a churchyard gate, in Llanberis, she informed me that on my late dad’s side of the family, we are descended from Roma people.
My Writing Process
I have written at length about my writing process on Goodreads. Basically, I combine plotter and pantser tactics. I have an outline of the story and a sense of an ending before I begin writing. However, I think you can overplan, so I revise and adjust my ending at intervals in line with the resolution of the story. The characters “tell me” which way to go. It’s a process of forward and back, and thorough editing before it all comes together. I think spontaneity is what makes writing full of life and exciting. From the seed of an idea, to outlining, writing and several edits, it takes me about 18 months to write a book this length. Part of this is because I enjoy tackling a variety of projects so I am never working on one project full time until I reach the editing stage.
A Meeting of Hearts, Hands and Minds
After writing my book, I wondered how best I might share it with people across the globe. It was just like a fairytale, a dream come true, when I discovered, quite by chance, the enchanting multi faceted world of air and paper created by the world-acclaimed paper cut artist, Bit Vejle, who is the founder of The Museum for Paper Art in Blokhus, Denmark. My fairytale journey did not end there. I revisited Musuem Odense, and found the courage to approach them with a view to featuring some of Hans Christian Andersen’s paper cuts in the paperback and hardback editions of my work. I was so fortunate that Niels Friis agreed, much to my delight! Now our book is a dream come true — something I have dreamed about all my life!
Book Blurb
The Robber Girl is back! Bryony has a special destiny, foretold in The Book of The Ancients.With her dark eyes on a handsome Roma boy, Sean, and a gypsy crown, she has a battle to win, cheating death. She must rescue Adam from the Snow Queen’s web of evil, defeating the wizard and his dark sorcery. If she fails, the evil couple will cast a maleficent shadow of doom across the world, enslaving all children until the end of time. In this tale of romance, magic, rivalry, inheritance and destiny, a heartwarming epic journey awaits.
March 26, 2024
"The Snow Queen," by Suzy Davies -A Hans Christian Andersen Fairytale - Reimagined
There was once a young girl who adored the fairytales of Hans Christian Andersen. She poured over the stories, enchanted as she read. She never dreamed that one day, she would write a retelling of the great master’s story, “The Snow Queen,” a story to call her very own.
This girl grew up, and in young adulthood she took a trip to Denmark. She visited Jutland’s wondrous windswept beaches, Funen’s lush, mystical gardens, and visited The Little Mermaid. She was enchanted by Egeskov Castle, with its folktale of the wooden man.
But the highlight of her trip was to see where fairytales all began - in the charming Odense, with its bicycles and quaint cobbled streets and wonderful Museum. She was wonderstruck at the birthplace of the most celebrated writer of fairy tales, but still, she never knew that her secret dream would, one very special day, come true.
In later years, Suzy wrote her tale. She wanted to share it with the world. But she wished to make certain her book, with a fresh take on the original “Snow Queen” story, would honour and stay true to the spirit of the great original storyteller.
She decided to search for an illustration for the front cover, and her long search for a very special artist led her to Bit Vejle, the world’s most famous contemporary paper cut artist - and the very first person ever to hold Hans Christian Andersen’s scissors.
To Suzy’s delight, Bit agreed she would create an enchanting cover to grace the front of her new book.
As if that were not enough, Niels Friis from Museum Odense provided Suzy with original papercuts created by H. C Andersen to go into the book. Real magic!
In a meeting of hearts and minds, “The Snow Queen” written by Suzy Davies, with cover art by Bit Vejle, and papercut illustrations by Hans Christian Andersen, has been created in paperback, with a hardback version to follow! This retelling of "The Snow Queen" is for tweens and teens - young adults - and the young at heart to enjoy all over the world!
This story is, as Bit said, “a little fairy tail in itself.”
This girl grew up, and in young adulthood she took a trip to Denmark. She visited Jutland’s wondrous windswept beaches, Funen’s lush, mystical gardens, and visited The Little Mermaid. She was enchanted by Egeskov Castle, with its folktale of the wooden man.
But the highlight of her trip was to see where fairytales all began - in the charming Odense, with its bicycles and quaint cobbled streets and wonderful Museum. She was wonderstruck at the birthplace of the most celebrated writer of fairy tales, but still, she never knew that her secret dream would, one very special day, come true.
In later years, Suzy wrote her tale. She wanted to share it with the world. But she wished to make certain her book, with a fresh take on the original “Snow Queen” story, would honour and stay true to the spirit of the great original storyteller.
She decided to search for an illustration for the front cover, and her long search for a very special artist led her to Bit Vejle, the world’s most famous contemporary paper cut artist - and the very first person ever to hold Hans Christian Andersen’s scissors.
To Suzy’s delight, Bit agreed she would create an enchanting cover to grace the front of her new book.
As if that were not enough, Niels Friis from Museum Odense provided Suzy with original papercuts created by H. C Andersen to go into the book. Real magic!
In a meeting of hearts and minds, “The Snow Queen” written by Suzy Davies, with cover art by Bit Vejle, and papercut illustrations by Hans Christian Andersen, has been created in paperback, with a hardback version to follow! This retelling of "The Snow Queen" is for tweens and teens - young adults - and the young at heart to enjoy all over the world!
This story is, as Bit said, “a little fairy tail in itself.”
February 15, 2024
Snugs The Snow Bear
Sometimes, when I have read books written by peers, I have delved into their biography in order to gain insights into how they "made" their books. Very often, drawing on the life of an author, and what is meaningful to him/her, helps us understand the process of creativity, and what went into their characters, storylines and scenes. So, how did I create Snugs, and to what extent do I draw on my own life to create my characters, storylines and scenes? This article focuses on just one aspect of the question - what resources did I draw on to create my hero, Snugs?
Those of you who have followed me, and listened to my radio broadcasts, in The U.S and in The U.K, will be familiar with this story about a story. But for those of you who missed my author interviews, here is how The Snugs Series began.
Very often in life, opportunity reveals itself when we least expect it, and in unexpected ways. I had been thinking about writing a children's book, and drawing on the idyllic early childhood I had in Wales to make my kids' story.
One morning, I was taking a walk along Southbourne beach, in the Bournemouth area, in Dorset, England, a walk I had done a few times beforehand, when I noticed something I had never "seen" before.
I remember it was a mild day, the kind of day in which the sun, although cool, lights up everything, as if to greet the spring. And so it was, as I gazed across the ocean, towards The Isle of Wight, near The Needles, and perceived a remarkable optical illusion! It was so lifelike, a polar bear, etched into the chalky cliffs, and so proud! I stood there, almost in disbelief, and wondered why I had never noticed The Bear before.
In that instant, I was transported back decades, to my childhood, and found myself almost skipping along the coastal path, as I imagined writing the story "about" The Isle of Wight Bear.
But as it is when a child first arrives, we have to think of a name for him, before we can begin to help him "write" his story! What would be a suitable name for a majestic, magical bear, who gazed out over the ocean? I pondered, and wondered, and all my imaginings about him seemed to be on hold. The first thing was to think of a name for this Bear!
I began thinking of all kinds of names to do with snow. But any I could think of sounded more feminine than masculine, and The Bear, was a boy!
Then, I started thinking of the qualities of this particular bear that made him unique. And first and foremost, he was lovable, friendly and cuddly. Suddenly, I had it! My maternal grandmother was always known as "Snuggie," and I shortened this name, to make it suitable for a bear boy!
The next thing I did was to draw on people I know to create Snugs' character. It was important that Snugs was at one with Nature, was adaptable, and represented an affinity with his environment. I knew he had a magical quality, that meant wherever he was, he would inspire and encourage people to make a better world.
He also had an intuitive, mysterious side to his personality, and although he was sociable, he liked to have time alone, to commune with the wild. I soon realised that I was describing aspects of my paternal grandmother. The masculinity of Snugs, his love of good food, and his physical bravery, came from my husband, Craig.
At the start of the story, Snugs was a character I thought of as you would a friend you know fairly well. By the middle of the story, he was a close friend, and I was getting to know his strengths and weaknesses, his likes and dislikes, and his idiosyncrasies. I knew what it felt like to be in his company, and could predict how he would react, and behave. As I got deeper into the story, replica toys of Snugs started to appear in my house! They each had different facial expressions, and threw light on the different aspects of Snugs Bear.
The final stage in the creation of Snugs was a touch of method acting. I started to research about how bears move. I started to get "in" the character, and look at the world from his point of view.
I have a confession to make. As time goes on, I have become more and more attached to The Bear, and to me, Snugs is very real.
Those of you who have followed me, and listened to my radio broadcasts, in The U.S and in The U.K, will be familiar with this story about a story. But for those of you who missed my author interviews, here is how The Snugs Series began.
Very often in life, opportunity reveals itself when we least expect it, and in unexpected ways. I had been thinking about writing a children's book, and drawing on the idyllic early childhood I had in Wales to make my kids' story.
One morning, I was taking a walk along Southbourne beach, in the Bournemouth area, in Dorset, England, a walk I had done a few times beforehand, when I noticed something I had never "seen" before.
I remember it was a mild day, the kind of day in which the sun, although cool, lights up everything, as if to greet the spring. And so it was, as I gazed across the ocean, towards The Isle of Wight, near The Needles, and perceived a remarkable optical illusion! It was so lifelike, a polar bear, etched into the chalky cliffs, and so proud! I stood there, almost in disbelief, and wondered why I had never noticed The Bear before.
In that instant, I was transported back decades, to my childhood, and found myself almost skipping along the coastal path, as I imagined writing the story "about" The Isle of Wight Bear.
But as it is when a child first arrives, we have to think of a name for him, before we can begin to help him "write" his story! What would be a suitable name for a majestic, magical bear, who gazed out over the ocean? I pondered, and wondered, and all my imaginings about him seemed to be on hold. The first thing was to think of a name for this Bear!
I began thinking of all kinds of names to do with snow. But any I could think of sounded more feminine than masculine, and The Bear, was a boy!
Then, I started thinking of the qualities of this particular bear that made him unique. And first and foremost, he was lovable, friendly and cuddly. Suddenly, I had it! My maternal grandmother was always known as "Snuggie," and I shortened this name, to make it suitable for a bear boy!
The next thing I did was to draw on people I know to create Snugs' character. It was important that Snugs was at one with Nature, was adaptable, and represented an affinity with his environment. I knew he had a magical quality, that meant wherever he was, he would inspire and encourage people to make a better world.
He also had an intuitive, mysterious side to his personality, and although he was sociable, he liked to have time alone, to commune with the wild. I soon realised that I was describing aspects of my paternal grandmother. The masculinity of Snugs, his love of good food, and his physical bravery, came from my husband, Craig.
At the start of the story, Snugs was a character I thought of as you would a friend you know fairly well. By the middle of the story, he was a close friend, and I was getting to know his strengths and weaknesses, his likes and dislikes, and his idiosyncrasies. I knew what it felt like to be in his company, and could predict how he would react, and behave. As I got deeper into the story, replica toys of Snugs started to appear in my house! They each had different facial expressions, and threw light on the different aspects of Snugs Bear.
The final stage in the creation of Snugs was a touch of method acting. I started to research about how bears move. I started to get "in" the character, and look at the world from his point of view.
I have a confession to make. As time goes on, I have become more and more attached to The Bear, and to me, Snugs is very real.
December 4, 2023
Author Spotlight: An Audience with Francis H. Powell.
Today, we are going to hear about Francis. H. Powell's work, and his new children's book.
How did you decide to become a children's author? Did any person influence your decision?
I have a son who is now 10. I mostly wanted to write stories for him.
Who is your favorite children's book character and why?
Roald Dahl, I love his quirky stories.
If you could meet any children's author alive today, who would it be?
Somebody who could give me tips on how to approve my stories.
Describe your writing style. What writers, if any, have influenced the way you write.
I like to come up with unusual characters, a few wicked characters, putting them in an adventure, with strange happenings along the way.
Do you like marketing your book on social media? Why/Why not?
It's not that I like it, but it is a necessity.
Do you think modern-day children's authors are as good as those of yesteryear?
This is a tough question. It was a different situation in the past, maybe children had a different mentality. Some yesteryear author's work still resonates today. My son still likes films and books I knew in my childhood. A lot of the yesteryears stories are far better then Peppa Pig!
Name your top five children's books that you have read. What stands out about them?
My childhood is a long time ago, but recently I have read Percy Jackson to my son, which I thought was good. I read him the Hobbit, which I thought was great, but Lord of the Rings, a bit to much detail. I have read all the Roald Dahl books to him which were great.
How do you get material/do research for your books?
As a writer I do research on the internet, for example recently I have been looking up Victorian Christmases and traditions.
Would you say you plan your stories or do you just let them flow?
A bit of both. My stories involve twists and turns. It is a bit like putting a jigsaw together.
When you finish writing a book do you feel happy or sad? Why?
A bit apprehensive, will people like it?
Are you addicted to writing?
I do other things, like painting and music.
What books are on your reading list now? Do you read outside your genre?
I am part of a book club, so we chose a different book every month. The books are outside my genre often.
Do you have a writing mentor, or someone you turn to for advice if you have questions about writing?
No, but I am part of a creative writing group.
What plans, if any, do you have for your next book?
I hope it gets accepted, to be published.
In the long term, what ambitions do you have as a writer?
To have a book read by many people and acknowledged would be great.
What advice would you give to someone just beginning to write?
It can be a hard road, but keep going.
How do you get inspired to write your books?
Different ways, a drawing by my son inspired The Fish King and the Two Wise Ghosts.
What if anything, is your biggest challenge?
Reaching lots of people.
If you could visit any country in the world, which one would you choose?
I quite fancy Japan.
What kinds of settings are in your children's books? Do you imagine them or do they come from your own experiences in the real world?
The Fish King is set under the sea, in a castle, but in the second part the prince visits lots of different places.
Where can we find you and your books?
On Amazon and Barnes and Noble.
It's really refreshing to hear from another fellow author who wants to reach more people. My best wishes, and let's hope this author interview helps you get under the spotlight!
How did you decide to become a children's author? Did any person influence your decision?
I have a son who is now 10. I mostly wanted to write stories for him.
Who is your favorite children's book character and why?
Roald Dahl, I love his quirky stories.
If you could meet any children's author alive today, who would it be?
Somebody who could give me tips on how to approve my stories.
Describe your writing style. What writers, if any, have influenced the way you write.
I like to come up with unusual characters, a few wicked characters, putting them in an adventure, with strange happenings along the way.
Do you like marketing your book on social media? Why/Why not?
It's not that I like it, but it is a necessity.
Do you think modern-day children's authors are as good as those of yesteryear?
This is a tough question. It was a different situation in the past, maybe children had a different mentality. Some yesteryear author's work still resonates today. My son still likes films and books I knew in my childhood. A lot of the yesteryears stories are far better then Peppa Pig!
Name your top five children's books that you have read. What stands out about them?
My childhood is a long time ago, but recently I have read Percy Jackson to my son, which I thought was good. I read him the Hobbit, which I thought was great, but Lord of the Rings, a bit to much detail. I have read all the Roald Dahl books to him which were great.
How do you get material/do research for your books?
As a writer I do research on the internet, for example recently I have been looking up Victorian Christmases and traditions.
Would you say you plan your stories or do you just let them flow?
A bit of both. My stories involve twists and turns. It is a bit like putting a jigsaw together.
When you finish writing a book do you feel happy or sad? Why?
A bit apprehensive, will people like it?
Are you addicted to writing?
I do other things, like painting and music.
What books are on your reading list now? Do you read outside your genre?
I am part of a book club, so we chose a different book every month. The books are outside my genre often.
Do you have a writing mentor, or someone you turn to for advice if you have questions about writing?
No, but I am part of a creative writing group.
What plans, if any, do you have for your next book?
I hope it gets accepted, to be published.
In the long term, what ambitions do you have as a writer?
To have a book read by many people and acknowledged would be great.
What advice would you give to someone just beginning to write?
It can be a hard road, but keep going.
How do you get inspired to write your books?
Different ways, a drawing by my son inspired The Fish King and the Two Wise Ghosts.
What if anything, is your biggest challenge?
Reaching lots of people.
If you could visit any country in the world, which one would you choose?
I quite fancy Japan.
What kinds of settings are in your children's books? Do you imagine them or do they come from your own experiences in the real world?
The Fish King is set under the sea, in a castle, but in the second part the prince visits lots of different places.
Where can we find you and your books?
On Amazon and Barnes and Noble.
It's really refreshing to hear from another fellow author who wants to reach more people. My best wishes, and let's hope this author interview helps you get under the spotlight!
November 29, 2023
The River of Life - A River of Dreams: Housie Mousie and The BIG Cheese by Suzy Davies
Picture this: a child of about seven or eight years strolling along a riverbank with her dad
watching the flow of the river; the dance of midges and dragonflies; the swirling whirlpools and eddies casting rainbows in soft sunlight to the water’s edge. The dark shadows, in places, of trees that lean over the riverbank; shadows of fish lurking below the surface; birds on high winging their way across the water beneath vast skies.
The soothing “lap, lap” as the river’s current moves against rocks and stones, and the ever changing scenery along the banks. The sound of the breeze as it blows through rushes; along comes a boat and the oars move in and out of the water, the river seeming to sigh with the movement and rhythm they make.
Now it is raining, and so the man and child take cover under a tree. The river shines; it seems to sing and laugh and dance, and the man starts to tell his daughter a story of the river, but in all reality, it’s a story all about life.
In my ninth year or so, my dad gave me a gift of “The Wind in The Willows,” and this is how our story; the river and the characters in “Housie Mousie and The Big Cheese,” were inspired by Kenneth Grahame’s great work.
In our book the river is a character, and much like real life, it is always changing. Sometimes, it is dark, “a black ribbon,” the ink-black bootlace of the little rodents' boot home. Other times, the river sparkles with light, as if to suggest a moment of enlightenment or clarity; it is a “thread of diamonds” - the stuff of happy memory-making together and of laughter.
The river is neither a threat nor benign; it is what we make it; there are challenges and obstacles. Our feisty, funny little mouse, and serious rat become friends forever because they support each other, seeing opportunities and overcoming challenges on the BIG journey that is life. It is through challenges and adaptation, through learning from friends that they meet along the way who help them - a mischievous spaniel and a family of beavers - The Beaver Team - by working together and having fun, Housie and Ratty grow in stature.
Housie and Ratty’s river begins as a microcosm; it is their small, familiar world, where they are safe and secure. Traveling on their brave adventurous journey, “opens up” their small world - expanding their experiential reference points and giving them new insights into the big world out there.
One of the most important messages in Housie Mousie and The Big Cheese is that friendship is something to treasure. Teamwork, loyalty, collaboration and “pulling together” - much like rowing and turn-taking on the river - means that we can live happily enjoying all that this river - this great BIG journey that is life - has to offer.
In fact, nothing that we ever wish, imagine or dare to dream is ever too big, with a shared vision, innovation, and action to achieve our dreams together.
watching the flow of the river; the dance of midges and dragonflies; the swirling whirlpools and eddies casting rainbows in soft sunlight to the water’s edge. The dark shadows, in places, of trees that lean over the riverbank; shadows of fish lurking below the surface; birds on high winging their way across the water beneath vast skies.
The soothing “lap, lap” as the river’s current moves against rocks and stones, and the ever changing scenery along the banks. The sound of the breeze as it blows through rushes; along comes a boat and the oars move in and out of the water, the river seeming to sigh with the movement and rhythm they make.
Now it is raining, and so the man and child take cover under a tree. The river shines; it seems to sing and laugh and dance, and the man starts to tell his daughter a story of the river, but in all reality, it’s a story all about life.
In my ninth year or so, my dad gave me a gift of “The Wind in The Willows,” and this is how our story; the river and the characters in “Housie Mousie and The Big Cheese,” were inspired by Kenneth Grahame’s great work.
In our book the river is a character, and much like real life, it is always changing. Sometimes, it is dark, “a black ribbon,” the ink-black bootlace of the little rodents' boot home. Other times, the river sparkles with light, as if to suggest a moment of enlightenment or clarity; it is a “thread of diamonds” - the stuff of happy memory-making together and of laughter.
The river is neither a threat nor benign; it is what we make it; there are challenges and obstacles. Our feisty, funny little mouse, and serious rat become friends forever because they support each other, seeing opportunities and overcoming challenges on the BIG journey that is life. It is through challenges and adaptation, through learning from friends that they meet along the way who help them - a mischievous spaniel and a family of beavers - The Beaver Team - by working together and having fun, Housie and Ratty grow in stature.
Housie and Ratty’s river begins as a microcosm; it is their small, familiar world, where they are safe and secure. Traveling on their brave adventurous journey, “opens up” their small world - expanding their experiential reference points and giving them new insights into the big world out there.
One of the most important messages in Housie Mousie and The Big Cheese is that friendship is something to treasure. Teamwork, loyalty, collaboration and “pulling together” - much like rowing and turn-taking on the river - means that we can live happily enjoying all that this river - this great BIG journey that is life - has to offer.
In fact, nothing that we ever wish, imagine or dare to dream is ever too big, with a shared vision, innovation, and action to achieve our dreams together.
Book News
"The Flamingos Who Painted The Sky," our new picture book is NOW fully available to bring in #Christmas #sunshine, #flamingo #sunsets, and #happiness #worldwide Illustrated by the talented Shirin Mass ...more
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