THE MAGIC OF FINKLETON by K.C. Hilton
Interview with Alan Nayes:
1) What is Return to Underland about? What's the genre, and for what age range?
Return to Underland is about two children—10 and 11—who discover a huge mysterious cavern where all the extinct animals of the world still exist. This middle grade children’s adventure story is suitable for those nine or ten on up to the much older, but still young at heart, if you know what I mean. (Hey, that sounds like me)
2) What inspired you to write Return to Underland?
It’s kind of strange that so many years have passed between the time I originally conceived the idea for Underland to its recent publication. I always had this idea about some young explorers discovering a place where all the animals that have roamed the earth still lived. I originally wrote a short screenplay—I think it was around 1995. This never amounted to much but the idea of a couple of children finding this strange cave under a mountain continued to nag at me. In 2002 I wrote another version, this time a novella. No takers so I set the work aside again. Finally, in 2011 I said, hell, I’m going to rewrite the story, get a good editor, hire a cover artist and publish Underland myself. In 2012, that’s what I did. Just goes to show you, whether you’re young , old, or in between, if you have an idea and believe in it, don’t throw it away. Follow through.
3) What themes are in Return to Underland that are of interest to a young audience today?
Multiple themes, P.H.C. Now are they of interest to a young audience, I guess only time will tell. The biggest one I think has to do with the environment and how we as humans affect it—favorably or unfavorably. Other themes touched upon are friendship, believing in your self, and loyalty—both on an individual scale as well as to a society as a whole. Wow, that really makes the story sound boring. I also tried to make science or rather studying science come across as interesting and fun.
4) What do you consider most important in a story?
Referring to stories in general, I believe both character development and plot are important to make any story an enjoyable read. The reader should care about what happens to the characters and the storyline should be entertaining enough to entice the reader to want to read each subsequent chapter.
5) What aspect of Return to Underland is your favorite?
Ah, an easy one. Why Underland of course. That seemingly endless mystical cavern, home to some of the most unique and interesting creatures to ever live on planet Earth. I know I’d love to visit.
6) In your opinion, what's the most challenging part of writing?
I’ll answer this for all genres since I write in several. It’s fairly easy for me to come up with an idea, but the real challenge arises when I sit down and try to write the book. For me, no story I write seems to come easy, though I must say there are instances when words just seem to fly right out of my head. Sometimes, these words actually land on the paper, lol. That is the fun part of creating a story when it almost seems to be writing itself, especially when the characters are talking to each other and you’re just sitting there listening and writing it all down. With Underland, the real challenge for me was writing to this young age group since all my other works are adult fiction. Was I successful—this is a wait and see…
7) If you had to pick a favorite character, who would it be, and why?
Well, P.H.C, it would have to be the protagonist , Spinner McPherson, though the further along in the story I delved, the young girl protagonist, Reglan, became a favorite too. I like both kids and when I was eleven I could have been friends with either. Weird, I’m talking like they are real. Oh, and can’t forget Otter—I love yellow Labs.
8) Were there personal experiences that shaped some of the ideas or characters in your book?
Nothing specific, though I did strike out a lot when I played little league baseball. I think the most influential aspect has always been my love of the outdoors from a young age—fishing and hunting with my father, boating, hiking and spending time with my family at our vacation cottage in Wisconsin. No cave there, but there is a beautiful lake.
9) Is there anything else you'd like to tell potential readers?
I would just like to thank the readers who stopped by today and if any of them get a chance to read Return to Underland, I hope they enjoy it. Thank you for hosting me, P.H.C.
My pleasure. I read the novel and it's enjoyable and well-written!
Amazon: Return to Underland: http://amzn.to/GDBTkq
Author-related links:
Website http://anayes.com/
Goodreads http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/527589.Alan_Nayes
Facebook http://on.fb.me/mflYEU
Twitter http://twitter.com/#!/alannayes
Blog http://alannayes.blogspot.com/
Interview with K.C. Hilton:
K.C. Hilton, writer extraordinaire and author of The Magic of Finkleton and its newly-released sequel Return to Finkleton.
Return to Finkleton continues with a new adventure. The Finkle children, Jack, Lizzy and Robert, realize that controlling the weather wasn't the only secret waiting to be discovered in Finkleton.
Children's Middle Grade Fiction. Ages 9-12+
Return to Finkleton recently won a Readers Favorite Five Star Award.
2) What inspired you to write Magic of Finkleton and then Return to Finkleton?
I've always been told to come up with something fresh and original. Different from everything else. Well, that stumped me! One evening I went to bed, fell fast asleep, then had a strange dream about hourglasses controlling the weather. That's how Finkleton was born! I've visited England three times and I enjoyed it so much, that I wanted Finkleton to be located there.
At the end of The Magic of Finkleton, I set it up for a sequel. I watned to leave my options open. After I read several comments about a fan wanting to read the sequel, I just had to write it.
In the middle of writing Return to Finkleton, the next book, Saving Finkleton, came to mind. I couldn't ignore it! I included a sneak peek (first chapter) of the third book at the end of Return to Finkleton. Finkleton fans are loving it!
3) What do you consider most important in a story?
I wanted to deliver a hidden message. In both books, lessons are learned. Resisting greed, working together, correcting mistakes, what keeping secrets can do and being responsible.
4) What aspect of Return to Finkleton is your favorite?
It has to be the mysterious clock...I can't say anymore! I don't want to give anything away :)
Oh, we also get to meet new characters and visit different places in the village of Finkleton. It's just so exciting!
I must admit, after listening to the audiobook of The Magic of Finkleton, the characters' voices stay in my mind. It makes it easier for me to hear them, lol. The audiobook for Return to Finkleton is currently being recorded. Yay!
5) In your opinion, what's the most challenging part of writing a sequel?
Keeping the series flowing smoothly and not having any plot holes are important. I wrote Return to Finkleton as a stand-alone book, although it's tied to the first book. The characters, the village and the magic stay consistant. A few references are made about the hourglasses in the first book. However a reader doesn't need to read the first book to experience the new adventure in Return to Finkleton. That was the hardest part of writing the sequel. Most books in a series, pick up where the previous book left off. I wanted to try something different, unique.
6) If you had to pick a favorite character, who would it be, and why?
I'd have to say, Lizzy Finkle. She's responsible, loves to read and gets easily irritated with her younger brother, Robert. Kids will be kids!
Thanks for telling us about your new release, K.C.! I understand you have a huge giveaway coming up on your blog and website, so I'll include them here so readers can check:
http://www.kc-hilton.com
http://www.themagicoffinkleton.com
http://www.youtube.com/user/MrsKcHilton/videos
Return to Finkleton has won a Children's Literary Classics Award - highly recommended! Readers will also enjoy The Magic of Finkleton, the first book in the series.
