Interview With Author Ryann Adams Hall

Meet The Author That Gave Us A Sweet Tooth

Ryann Adams Hall

What inspired you to write your first book?

My first book is a poem book I wrote in high school and decided to get it published. My daughter is the person that inspired me to start writing children's books. I write short children's books for children preschool age that have a short attention span. All the books people kept giving her were too long and she would never let me finish reading them too her. She would get bored and start trying to flip the pages or try to take the book from me. I really enjoy having shorter books to read to her. I can actually finish the story!

When did you start considering yourself a writer?

I still haven't to be honest with you. It still doesn't feel like I am actually an Author. I guess I always thought fame came with being an Author. But I realize only few make it there. People like Stephanie Meyer! Maybe I'll have my time in the spotlight one day.

Out of the books you've written, which is your favorite?

My favorite book right now isn't published yet. It's called Butterfly's Big Adventure. It is with an illustrator now and will be published soon! Kayleigh Butterfly goes on a Big Adventure exploring all the neat places (in the United States) her momma always told her about in her bedtime stories. Next to that one, I really love the Shelby Loves Candy Book. The illustrations are so bright and pretty!

How do you feel about being interviewed by a children's book character?

She is awesome! Taking the time out of her day to interview someone like me! I thank her very much!

What are you working on next?

Butterfly's Big Adventure is with an illustrator. Bella Wants to be a Writer will be with an illustrator soon. Also, Valentine's Crushed, a short, first chapter book for young children, is waiting on an answer from a publisher.

Can you share a little of your current work with us?

Caden Loves his Momma was the first book I wrote and illustrated myself. It came from my nephew and how much he loves his momma. She cannot go a foot away from him without him crying! Next, I wrote and Illustrated Rylie's New Bike. Caden's sister, my niece. I wrote this based on the bike she got for her birthday. Then there is Abbie Goes to the Zoo and Shelby Loves Candy. My other sisters two girls. I wrote and Illustrated Three Little Sisters based on some childhood memories of my sisters and I. Seasons Come, Seasons Go, is a picture book I wrote for my daughter.

Out of your own characters, do you have a favorite?

My daughter of course! I love my nieces and nephew too of course!

Do you have any advice for other writers?

Don't let anyone tell you, you can't! Don't worry about bad reviews. Try to learn from them or correct the mistake, if there is one.

What do you do when you are not writing?

Promoting, Advertising! Working on books. Or playing with my daughter and taking care of my house.

If you had to live in one of your books which book would it be?

Butterfly's Big Adventure!

What was your favourite book when you were a kid?

One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish was the first book I ever read by myself. It felt so great to read a book all by myself!

What is your favorite kind of candy?

Reeses Cups! Butterfinger or Jr. Mints will do fine too.

Interview With Author Elias Zapple

Introducing The Author With The Amazing Mustache

Elias Zapple

What inspired you to write your first book?

My favourite pet slug, Steve. My faithful companion, attentive listener to my woes, avid reader of my prose and unfortunate victim of a fatal lawnmower accident. He inspires me everyday and in every way. His last words to me were, "Elias, write that children's book, 'Duke & Michel', it'll be a huge success and children everywhere will love it. Also, please eat the lettuce in the fridge before it goes bad."

When did you start considering yourself a writer?

April 2^nd, 1870, the day after I emerged out of a tulip in an old granny’s garden here in Camberwell.

Out of the books you've written, which is your favourite?

The latest is always my favourite. The latest would be Duke & Michel: The King Tingaling Painting. Being my favourite, I often take it out to fancy restaurants and buy it tulips.

How do you feel about being interviewed by a children's book character?

How do you feel about being interviewed by a slug with an IQ of 190? It’s terrifying, believe me. 

What are you working on next?

A new style for my moustache, Mr Snazzy. He refuses to change but I’ll do it when he’s asleep.

Can you share a little of your current work with us?

An extract from my first book, Duke & Michel: The Mysterious Corridor:

‘Duke wandered over to a used chocolate wrapper that was by the side of the

road and sniffed at it.

“Empty. Just my luck.”

“What’s empty?”

“Besides your head?”

Michel went over to Duke and picked up the chocolate wrapper Duke was sniffing at.

“Chocomallo!”

“I didn’t know you could read,” Duke said, as he had a lie down.

“This is Romain’s favourite chocolate bar. He always has one on him.”

“Only one? Selfish boy. He should always carry two. Never know when you might meet a very hungry Basset Hound.”’

Out of your own characters, do you have a favourite?

I’m fairly impartial however most people seem to love Duke, a sarcastic, pompous, food-obsessed Basset Hound. He’s quick-witted, scathing, rude and narcissistic - my kind of dog.

Do you have any advice for other writers?

Throwing cabbages is a great way to relieve stress.

What do you do when you are not writing?

I throw cabbages at my neighbour, Dieter and plan military attacks with my army of slugs. I also drink an obscene amount of herbal tea.

If you had to live in one of your books which book would it be?

My books aren’t big enough to fit me and I wouldn’t be able to breathe. Mr Snazzy would just wilt away! It would have to be a book the size of a house but then why live in a book and not in a house? An absurd idea!

What was your favourite book when you were a kid?

‘How to Brainwash Slugs’.

What's the deal with slugs and cabbages?

The deal is for a lifetime and includes a 5-minute break each year. They’re also allowed to hold conventions in my hallway as part of the deal. One slug tried to revolt and demand better conditions he’s now resting comfortably at the bottom of a deep-fat fryer. The same for the cabbages except they don’t require breaks or have the need to hold conventions.

Interview With Author Natalie Finnigan

What inspired you to write your first book?

I was inspired to write my first book by my son, Alex. He loves the Julia Donaldson books and I always enjoyed reading them, which got me used to rhyming again. First I made up some print at home books called Alex's Adventures - where I took pictures of him and his friends and adapted them with images I found on the net to make Alex into a fireman/zoo keeper/construction worker etc. By doing that I found that I was rubbish at illustration, and wrote better in rhyme than short text - but it did make the whole idea of writing a book seem a bit closer. 

When did you start considering yourself a writer?

I still don't consider myself a writer! I'm just someone who's self published a couple of books that, I feel randomly, other people don't seem to mind spending their hard earned money on. I'm primarily doing the books for Alex, but felt that as they were out there, I might as well let people know. Maybe if/when I sell hundreds of books I might consider myself a writer, but I love reading and look at some of the wonderful books out there, so maybe not. I'll never be writing a Harry Potter book, but I'm happy with what I do.

Out of the books you've written, which is your favourite?

My favourite is probably Willow's Song (hopefully being released in a couple of months). Inspired by a little girl who has a hidden illness, it's about a fairy with a broken wing - but I won't tell anyone any more for now. Out of the Alex, Dragon & Spider books, it changes from week to week. I've written 4, the 2 published and the 2 being illustrated, each have bits I love in them. I tend to write by the images in my head - with Louder Alex it was Spider's four drumsticks spinning, Fire Alex (the 4th book) it was the flaming blue balls of snot from Dragon (you'll have to read it to understand!)

How do you feel about being interviewed by a children's book character?

I'm happy to be interviewed by anyone. I think characters often come up with the more unusual questions!

That's great!

What are you working on next?

Next is "Willow's Song" and "Run Alex, Run" on the rhyming story book front. I'm also working on a longer book for 8-9 year olds, not written in rhyme, to be converted into a text that can be used to teach English as a Foreign Language. My Dad teaches and has really struggle to find books for that age range that doesn't talk down to the children - so he's asked me to give it a go. I'm only about 10% through it, though, so that will be a while before it's ready.

Can you share a little of your current work with us?

This is the start of Willow's Song (I reserve the right to tweak it before it's published!) you'll have to buy the book to see what happens to Willow!:

At the bottom of the garden, where the fairy’s often flew,

A fairy princess baby was born from beads of dew,

What many people do not know, but I believe is true

Is that fairy princesses do not fly until they’re almost two.

The birth of a fairy princess was a very rare event

With lots of celebration, and lots of presents sent.

To the naming of this baby, everyone would go

To hear the King and Queen call their new child Willow.

This Willow was a beauty, both inside and out

She played and smiled and cuddled and didn’t fight or shout

She loved her brother and sister and her Mum and Dad too,

But things started changing for her, when she was almost two.

As she stretched out her wings and tried for her first flight

She felt a massive pain inside and knew things weren’t quite right.

She called out for her parents, as she was filled with fright

And they came running to her and held her through the night.

Out of your own characters, do you have a favourite?

My favourite character has to be Alex - he is, after all, my son!

Do you have any advice for other writers?

My advise to others writing is to write what you feel and what you can see inside your head. If you can't see it or feel it, you can't expect the reader to. Oh, and don't try to be too clever, it's likely that at least one of your readers is smarter than you! Finally, don't think your reader is stupid, if you've done your job well they will get the meaning behind your story, if there is one, with out over stressing the point.

What do you do when you are not writing?

When not writing my own stories I have a full time job in construction and spend time with my son. I also (occasionally) dance and (frequently) ride horses. I also do some commission work - writing other people's stories in rhyme, which is a real honour to do.

If you had to live in one of your books which book would it be?

If I had to live in one of my books, it would be the Alex, Dragon and Spider ones - to be with Alex.

What was your favourite book when you were a kid?

My favourite book as a kid was probably fairy tales or ones like the Wishing Chair - books that took you places full of colour, life and adventure. I also loved (and still do) the Narnia books.

In Hide, Alex, Hide and Louder, Alex, Louder, what inspired you to choose a dragon and a spider for Alex's friends?

Alex chose them, sort of. When he was small I made up some imaginary friends for him to play with - as he was an only child I didn't want him to be lonely and I wanted to encourage his imagination. Little Dragon came first, with elephants and sharks and dinosaurs and spider and cats and...well you get the idea...following along after. Little Dragon and the Spider were always the one's who'd come and play the most often. I've even had to hold the car door open and help little Dragon onto the sofa so he could be with us. My favourite was the time when Alex spent the whole day with Little Dragon at his childminders and played so realistically that he had his childminder in a panic that she'd lost his favourite toy when she couldn't find a dragon anywhere come home time! I did put her out of her misery...eventually.

Text for "Willow's Song" © Natalie Finnigan