An interview with Shanelle Hicks, author of the illustrated children's book The Toothless Tooth Fairy.
Book description:
For ages 3-9... Bella had it all. The hair, the dress, and the smile. One day, her most important asset was missing...her tooth! Will Bella find the perfect tooth in time for the contest? Will Zelda, the meanest of the fairies, destroy Bella's chances of winning the crown? Take a journey onto Cloud Nine as Bella searches for a new tooth only to discover the tooth...I mean truth...behind her true beauty.
Hi, Shanelle!
Welcome to Zigzag Timeline. Can you tell us about your background as an author?
The
Toothless Tooth Fairy is my first published book. My second children’s picture
book called “Chickachaloo” will be out in 2015.
What
got you into writing?
I believe I was
born to write. I initially believed I was going to write poetry. I love
soliloquies. I was then introduced to Langston Hughes’ poetry and fell in love.
I’m such a fan that my husband and I named our daughter Langston.
I
write because it’s my passion. I write because it’s what I’m supposed to do. I
write kids books because I know kids want to read books with characters that
look like them. I know I certainly did as a kid. I recall falling in love with
bright illustrations, quirky characters, and intriguing text without being able
to see myself in those books. I want to change that. This is a time for
diversity in our kids books.
What was the first
idea you had for your book, and how did the story grow from there?
The
Toothless Tooth Fairy came to me in a dream! I know it sounds so cliché, but
it’s so true. I went to the dentist to have a molar pulled out and was so
worried about what I was going to look like with a missing molar. My husband
laughed at my paranoia as always. I had a dream about fairies chasing me with
pliers because they were after my tooth for reasons unknown. One of the fairies
in my dream told me it doesn't matter if they take your tooth because it
doesn’t change who you are.
Among
your characters, who's your favorite? Could you please describe him/her?
Most
people automatically think that Bella is my favorite character when’s it’s
actually Zelda. I love her transformation by the end of the book. I believe her character shows us what the
power of kindness can really do. It’s a strong message that both children and
adults can learn from.
What
are your favorite children’s books?
Picking
my favorite children’s books is so easy! I’m going to pick 3 in no particular
order. Miss Nelson is Missing made me want to always obey
my teachers in fear of one day meeting a real Viola Swamp. Next up is hands
down The Witches by Roald Dahl. I’ve
read this book a billion times and I still can’t get enough. I absolutely love
the movie as well. Angelica
Houston as The Grand High Witch is a scary thing.
Last but not least is The Magician’s Nephew by C.S. Lewis. It
explores atonement, original sin, temptation, and the order of nature. I hear
they are coming out with a movie. I will be the first in line!
How
long does it take you to write a book? Do you have a writing process, or do you
wing it?
I
absolutely don’t have a writing process. I always wing it! I think the initial focus is to put all thoughts on paper. They may not
make sense. They may seem silly. They may seem irrelevant. They may be
unorganized. I just get them from my head to paper and worry about the rest
later!
What is it about the
genre you chose that appeals to you?
I
love children. I’ve worked with children forever. I love how their imaginations
can transport them anywhere. I love their innocence.
Thanks for stopping
by!
Links:
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Way cute!
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