KidLit Interview with
Lindsay Flanagan
Author of
AnnaGrey
and the Constellation
Welcome back, readers, writers, and illustrators! Today, we have Lindsay Flanagan with her middle-grade novel, AnnaGrey and the Constellation. She's enjoying a writing frenzy with multiple books coming out soon - interestingly related to AnnaGrey.
Read her interview to find out more! And you might just learn how to leave your own trail of stars...
Hello, Lindsay,
What inspired you to write "AnnaGrey and the Constellation" and delve into the world of middle-grade fantasy?
It began with a few different things. One, my daughter, who at the time was 5, came home from kindergarten in tears, saying that a boy had called her "weird." This broke my heart, but it also spurred me into action--and, since...
the pen is mightier than the sword...
and all that, I decided to write a story about a girl who is different from everyone around her, but it was those attributes that made her unique and powerful.
The other inspiration came from a friend whom I always used to send unicorn stickers on Messenger. She told me I needed to write a story about the unicorn. Challenge accepted! Even though my unicorn became an aeobanach (because I wanted her to be more unique), the magical idea of unicorns is still there.
The Laéth Realm sounds like a fascinating setting. How did you create this magical world?
When I was a kid, we lived near big fields that had a grove of trees at the edge. My sister and I, along with all the neighborhood kids, would go play in the trees after school and in the summer. I always had a big imagination, and I just knew that there was a gate that would lead me to a magical world. I never found it, but I still fervently believe it exists, so I decided it to bring it to life in my stories.
If I gave you a megaphone and the whole world would listen, what one sentence would you shout?
This comes from my book:
"You should be you, brave, wonderful you,
and run with it. Because when you run,
you leave a trail of stars."
Ok, that's two sentences, but you can't have one without the other!
AnnaGrey possesses a night-vision ability and encounters the mystical aeobanach creature. What inspired these magical elements, and how do they shape AnnaGrey's quest?
I wanted her to have something that people could physically see that made her different. But I also wanted her to be able to see that it was a source of power. The fact that she can see in the dark is part of her power, but her true power comes from accepting who she truly is.
Which character or characters represent you, the author, in the book?
I definitely think I'm like AnnaGrey. Although, I wish I was as brave as her! I always thought my red hair made me stand out. I got called names and was told red hair was ugly, but finally, one day, I decided to embrace it as part of what set me apart and made me different from most of the other girls at school.
"AnnaGrey and the Constellation" explores themes of friendship, bravery, and self-discovery. Why do you believe these themes are important for young readers?
I think it's so important for kids to be able to discover who they are. They should be able to journey down all different paths to determine what they love, what they're good at, and what they want to end up being as adults. Without these opportunities, they might be put in roles that don't fit their souls.
Friendship is always important because I don't think anyone truly wants to be or feel alone in the world. Knowing there are people who support you and are maybe going through similar things can be inspirational and uplifting.
Your upcoming book, "Little Red Wraith," is a young adult fantasy companion to the AnnaGrey series. Can you give us a glimpse into this story and how it connects to AnnaGrey's adventures?
I am so excited for this book to be released. The story takes place sixteen years before AnnaGrey's adventure. It answers many of the questions that AnnaGrey (and readers!).) has about her parents.
As an editor, how does your experience in editing influence your writing process, and vice versa?
Being a developmental and substantive editor has taught me more about story and prose than I think I learned, earning both my degrees! I mean, I had the foundation in classes, of course, but putting them into practice in other people's work has helped me see how my own stories can be better. Sometimes, though, I do find it hard to take off my editor hat while I'm writing. I am constantly chanting,
"You can fix it later. You can fix it later!"
"The Forsaken" is a diverse collection of poetry, short stories, creative prose, and photography. What inspired you to compile this collection, and how do you approach different creative mediums?
Thank you for asking about this! This collection of poetry, short stories, creative prose, and photographs was created over the span of more than 20 years. It's a collection of the best of my work that has shaped me into the author and editor I am today. I wanted to share the creative work I've done to show how much I've been changed as a person because of the art I've created.
What advice do you have for aspiring authors and editors who are looking to break into the world of publishing?
Read widely in your genre, study writing craft books (there is always something to learn!), and network with other authors. It's so important to be invested in yourself, and you do that by being invested in your community.
A few weeks ago, I was at a gaming conference as a vendor. I didn't expect to sell a lot of books, but I was happy to be there and to interact with the conference attendees. A young girl was drawn to my table by my book cover (and it really is so gorgeous, thanks to my amazing illustrator, Victoria Marble) and wanted to read it. Her parents weren't sure about buying it because they weren't sure she'd read it. But, they relented and bought the book. She came back in the afternoon and told me...
...she was already on chapter seven
and was loving it.
She thanked me for writing the book--and that is the best compliment and reward I've received from a reader. She was grateful I had shared my story with the world. I may have been in tears as she walked away.
"AnnaGrey and the Constellation" is the first book in The Laéth Realm Adventures series. What can readers expect from the next two books, "AnnaGrey and the Red Fox Girls" and "AnnaGrey and the War of the Crowes"?
You'll see AnnaGrey embrace her destiny, meet new creatures in the realm, and have fun adventures. In Red Fox Girls, she's on a pirate ship for some time!
What motivates you to write stories that empower girls to embrace their unique traits and weave their own spells into the world?
I think that, like many girls, I was made to believe, by the religion I was raised in, that women are subservient to men. But it still happens today that a woman's most redeeming quality is her looks or her ability to have and raise children. While I don't discount those roles (I am a mother, and it's my most precious role in the world), I want my girls to see that there are so many things about them besides their beauty and their bodies. They have brains and kind hearts and passions that can lead them to any magical world--including the one we live in.
How do you handle feedback and critiques, both as an author and an editor?
Feedback and criticism can be difficult to take. But I am lucky in that I have selected beta readers and editors who I know have my stories' best interests at heart. They know how hard I work on these books, but they aren't afraid to tell me where it's lacking or to ask questions that force me to re-examine the work. Writing is hard. :)
In "AnnaGrey and the Constellation," AnnaGrey is tasked with convincing the bully, Cross Silverstone, to accompany her to the magical realm. What themes do you explore through their dynamic relationship?
This is a complicated relationship! Both Grey and Cross must face jealousy, fear, anger, and hurt as they navigate a world where they are thrust together. They have to forgive and ask for forgiveness in order to save the kingdom.
I wrote the first chapter of the book from Cross Silverstone's point-of-view to give readers (and myself) a better idea of Cross's background and how it shaped him into the bully he became.
You can pick that chapter up for free here! https://authorlindsayflanagan.com/reader-magnet-copy-copy/
What do you hope readers take away from your books, particularly in terms of embracing their uniqueness and finding their own magic within?
I hope readers close the book and realize they have so many qualities about them that make them unique and magical, that they matter in this world (and the magical ones), and that there is a place for them to leave their marks. I hope they know that, like AnnaGrey, they'll make mistakes as they go through life, but it's how they'll learn to cope with life.
What are your future writing plans beyond The Laéth Realm Adventures series, and do you have any other projects in the works?
I have three additional books planned in the series. You mentioned AnnaGrey and the War of the Crowes, which comes after AnnaGrey and the Red Fox Girls. Two more books in the companion series will be coming out, too: Ashes, Ashes Falling Down, and Of Phoenixes and Falcons.
Finally, where can my readers find you next, and how can they best support you and your books?
You can find me on my website (authorlindsayflanagan.com) or on Instagram (@lindsayflanaganbooksandpics).
I'm taking the summer to spend time with my daughters and write, but I'm scheduled to be at FanX Salt Lake City in September 2024. You can sign up for my newsletter for updates and upcoming events!
Awesome, Lindsay! Thank you for sharing your thoughts on writing and on being brave. I was also taught women were second to men....absolutely NOT TRUE. I call them WrongTeachings. I am so proud that you are using your writer's voice to tell not only the world but also your daughters that the truth is we are all beautiful, all equal, and all needed for the world to become a happier and lovely place to live.
No comments:
Post a Comment