Not So Accidental Blog Tourist Hop

Hi guys,

Thanks to Catherine Johnson for tagging me in the Not-so-accidental blog tourist hop started by Crystal Collier

Catherine Johnson is the author/illustrator of two poetry books for children, Weirdo Zoo and The Everglades. Zompoemz coming soon.

So these are the questions:

1.     What am I currently working on?

I’m working on the first book in my ‘tween series, the Records of Aden, called, Aden Weaver & the Or’in of Tane Mahuta.

What drives some people to greatness?
An ordinary boy has a score to settle against those who killed his parents, and a vicious warlord wants the boy dead. No matter what you do, Aden Weaver, don't lose your head.

2.     How does my work differ from others of its genre?

My books will fit in under the Amazon category ‘Shape-shifters and werewolves’ although there are no werewolves in the story! It's also called 'Alternative Universe Fantasy'. That’s where the work is similar.

 

Where it differs is that the shape-shifters switch between insects and humans with the residual features of their insect selves. So the dragonflies retain smaller, shorter wings in their human form. In human form they can still fly but for shorter distances.

 

A lot of people have said as they’ve edited my books, ‘Why insects?’ but to me, it’s a whole new world that is seldom explored. Why not insects? We get to see the world (in this case, the Planet Chiron) from their perspective, that of the small critters. Most scenes take place inside caves and trees and flowers, places within nature and underground. It holds an endless fascination for me, one that hopefully creates a magical and unique reading experience.        

 

3.     Why do I write/create what I do?

 

I tried writing for adults and it was boring! I’d far rather write to the unfettered imagination of young people.

 

As Nathaniel Hawthorne put it so eloquently in 1853, Children are now the only representatives of the men and women of that happy era (the golden age) and therefore it is that we must raise the intellect and fancy to the level of childhood, in order to recreate the original myths. 

 

4.     How does your writing/creating process work?

It’s a bit of a mix of the practical and metaphysical. When I’m in the ‘genesis’ stage of a book, I stick to a routine established from doing writing workshops with the wonderful New Zealand writer and lecturer, Kate de Goldi, who insisted on ‘non-stop writing’ for a prescribed time every day.

Then, I pay close attention to my dreams. I sleep with a pad and a pen by my bed because once I’m writing a book, the muse will strike at all hours. And I find that my best ideas and flashes of inspiration blow in through my dreams. They also will often hit when I’m out walking or running. Then I have to hang on to the words and race home to get them down onto paper before they blow away on the ether!

 

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Now, I have a confession to make. I admit that while I've managed the questions and the acknowledgement side of this blog hop, I have managed to fail wholesale on the 'hop' part. Of the ten or so bloggers I invited to take part, not a single person said yes. Folks are busy these days, that's all. Sorry, Catherine, I did try, but my part of the hop trail ends here. It was cool getting to answer the questions though!

 

 

 

See ya' in the funny papers!

 

Let me know, what do you think? Why do you create/write what you do?

 

Yvette K. Carol

 

 

http://www.yvettecarol.com