Suzy Davies's Blog: Book News - Posts Tagged "artists"
U.K Talk Radio
Tomorrow I'm chatting with Jonathan Hines of U.K Talk Radio about my new Children's Book, "Luna The Moon Pig, The Pig Who Hid" which is released on December 9th, 2017. Watch social media for details of tune in times.
Smashwords Interview: Suzy Davies, Author of "The Cave," Just Launched!
Interview with Suzy Davies
What's the story behind your latest book?
When I heard about The Wild Boars Football Team trapped in the Thai cave at Tham Luang, I felt I had to follow the story. Very quickly, from my research, a parallel story was unveiled: The Story of The Princess at Sip Song Panna, or the reclining Princess of The Mountain, as she is sometimes known as. Enter a Buddhist monk, thought by some to be the reincarnation of her suitor - a stable boy, and I had a vision of a story below the surface of the text. It was the story of a mysterious underworld of mermaids and the mystical princess guarding the cave and protecting the boys and all those who took part in the dangerous rescue effort.
I followed the story day by day, did my research and wrote day and night! It fascinated me. Needless to say, I was saddened by the loss of one True Hero, but he did not die in vain.
My story weaves the mystical tale of mermaids and The Princess into the more factual action elements of the rescue in my book.
I felt energized as I was writing my tale, and of course, as with all my books, it has a happy ending.
What motivated you to become an Indie Author?
This is my first self-published book. My first ever book, "Johari's Window," was published by a hybrid publishing house, SilverWood, the second book was traditionally published by Snow Leopard Publishing, and the third, "Luna The Moon Pig: The Pig Who Hid," by Quizicat Productions.
My decision to self-publish this book was based on the fact that I knew how popular the story would be with people all over the world, and I wanted control over the publishing process to bring you the book quickly, and to ensure that the book was of good quality with everything just as I wanted it to be.
I'm honored to be able to say that world-acclaimed award-winning Artist, Animator, and Educator, Sheila Graber, read this book and decided to do the cover design, which is stunning!
What Charity Are You Helping With "The Cave," and Why?
I'm delighted that 10% of all book profits from my brand new release, “The Cave,” on Smashwords, inspired by the Thai Cave, will go to my favorite swimming charity - SWIMSAFE SHARKS.
When I was a child, I nearly drowned in a river because I couldn’t swim. My dad saved me! So, it is a passion of mine to ensure that each and every child in Thailand has the opportunity to learn to swim and keep safe in water.
Here’s what SWIMSAFE SHARKS say about their charity:
"The SWIMSAFE SHARKS initiative helps Thai school children learn to swim with the Survival Swimming Curriculum. We work alongside Thai schools training teachers to be instructors and promote water safety in general. Thailand is a country in the epicenter of the world drowning crisis and swimming is generally not taught to children."
What Books Are You Writing Now?
I'm always writing! I've just completed the sequel to "Luna The Moon Pig: The Pig Who Hid." I have another children's story completed - top secret at the moment. I am still writing "The Blue Talisman," an adult novel, with supernatural elements.
Who Did You Write The Cave For?
This book will be of interest to parents, grandparents, life coaches, sports enthusiasts and exercise coaches, motivational coaches, psychologists, counselors, teachers, travel guides, travel agents, movie buffs, and young adults who are interested in things like sport, travel, adventures, films and exciting tales of heroes, and heroines.
What are the Literary Influences for "The Cave"
Writing "The Cave" was a very real challenge for me.
It wasn't just the challenge of getting the story out while the drama of "The Thai Cave," was still fresh in people's imaginations. The biggest challenge was how to weave mystical elements into my Young Adult/Adult Fiction Book, and still maintain the action/adventure drama.
Quite recently, I researched the work of Hans Christian Andersen, one of the major influences on my writing. I was enchanted again on re-reading, "The Little Mermaid," - for which I have a particular fondness, if only because of a road trip I did, many years ago, all across Denmark. I got to see Odense, and the statue of the "Ariel" inspired mermaid of his most famous fairy tale.
In my story, "The Cave," I wanted to honor The True Hero, who delivered supplies of oxygen tanks to the cave, and sadly, lost his life in service to others. I borrowed from Hans Christian Andersen's notion that there is a heaven, and that when we die we become (People) of The Air. Hans Christian Andersen gave me a poetic reference point with which I could describe death - a taboo subject in Western Societies - and soften the blow, without diminishing the heroism of The True Hero, who did not die in vain.
Mermaids feature in my story, "The Cave," and help to convey the enchantment I intended.
Of course, when I researched Thai culture, I decided that Thai Mysticism would be a predominant theme in the book, and Dulong or mermaids have been spotted out to sea, off Thailand's picturesque coastline. I was delighted when I discovered this fact!
When I delved further into Thai Folklore, I uncovered the magical story of The Princess of The Mountain, and the tale of her love for a stable boy, which was forbidden.
Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tales feature princesses and magical helpers who "fly" to castles to spy on them, in order to help suitors, who have to pass a series of tests. These elements in Andersen's tales helped me create Khun Mae - a Shaman Mother figure, who could "communicate" and tune in to what was happening to her son, Lek, from a distance.
Of course, it is well known that The Wild Boars passed their rites of passage because of the effort of International Rescue Experts from all over the world. But what also kept the boys going was communication with loved ones, the thought of "home," significant others, and what that love meant to them.
What is the greatest joy of writing for you?
Doing what I love. Being Creative.
Communicating with people. Making people happy.
What do your fans mean to you?
I'm really grateful to have a good fanbase.
Who are your favorite authors?
My long-term adult book favorites are Virginia Woolf, Nabokov, James Joyce, George Eliot, Hardy, Isabel Allende, Daphne Du Maurier. I read avidly and I'm compiling an Indie Author top 10, across all genres, which will be revealed soon!
What inspires you to get out of bed each day?
The sound of computer keys tapping, the smell of coffee.
What's the story behind your latest book?
When I heard about The Wild Boars Football Team trapped in the Thai cave at Tham Luang, I felt I had to follow the story. Very quickly, from my research, a parallel story was unveiled: The Story of The Princess at Sip Song Panna, or the reclining Princess of The Mountain, as she is sometimes known as. Enter a Buddhist monk, thought by some to be the reincarnation of her suitor - a stable boy, and I had a vision of a story below the surface of the text. It was the story of a mysterious underworld of mermaids and the mystical princess guarding the cave and protecting the boys and all those who took part in the dangerous rescue effort.
I followed the story day by day, did my research and wrote day and night! It fascinated me. Needless to say, I was saddened by the loss of one True Hero, but he did not die in vain.
My story weaves the mystical tale of mermaids and The Princess into the more factual action elements of the rescue in my book.
I felt energized as I was writing my tale, and of course, as with all my books, it has a happy ending.
What motivated you to become an Indie Author?
This is my first self-published book. My first ever book, "Johari's Window," was published by a hybrid publishing house, SilverWood, the second book was traditionally published by Snow Leopard Publishing, and the third, "Luna The Moon Pig: The Pig Who Hid," by Quizicat Productions.
My decision to self-publish this book was based on the fact that I knew how popular the story would be with people all over the world, and I wanted control over the publishing process to bring you the book quickly, and to ensure that the book was of good quality with everything just as I wanted it to be.
I'm honored to be able to say that world-acclaimed award-winning Artist, Animator, and Educator, Sheila Graber, read this book and decided to do the cover design, which is stunning!
What Charity Are You Helping With "The Cave," and Why?
I'm delighted that 10% of all book profits from my brand new release, “The Cave,” on Smashwords, inspired by the Thai Cave, will go to my favorite swimming charity - SWIMSAFE SHARKS.
When I was a child, I nearly drowned in a river because I couldn’t swim. My dad saved me! So, it is a passion of mine to ensure that each and every child in Thailand has the opportunity to learn to swim and keep safe in water.
Here’s what SWIMSAFE SHARKS say about their charity:
"The SWIMSAFE SHARKS initiative helps Thai school children learn to swim with the Survival Swimming Curriculum. We work alongside Thai schools training teachers to be instructors and promote water safety in general. Thailand is a country in the epicenter of the world drowning crisis and swimming is generally not taught to children."
What Books Are You Writing Now?
I'm always writing! I've just completed the sequel to "Luna The Moon Pig: The Pig Who Hid." I have another children's story completed - top secret at the moment. I am still writing "The Blue Talisman," an adult novel, with supernatural elements.
Who Did You Write The Cave For?
This book will be of interest to parents, grandparents, life coaches, sports enthusiasts and exercise coaches, motivational coaches, psychologists, counselors, teachers, travel guides, travel agents, movie buffs, and young adults who are interested in things like sport, travel, adventures, films and exciting tales of heroes, and heroines.
What are the Literary Influences for "The Cave"
Writing "The Cave" was a very real challenge for me.
It wasn't just the challenge of getting the story out while the drama of "The Thai Cave," was still fresh in people's imaginations. The biggest challenge was how to weave mystical elements into my Young Adult/Adult Fiction Book, and still maintain the action/adventure drama.
Quite recently, I researched the work of Hans Christian Andersen, one of the major influences on my writing. I was enchanted again on re-reading, "The Little Mermaid," - for which I have a particular fondness, if only because of a road trip I did, many years ago, all across Denmark. I got to see Odense, and the statue of the "Ariel" inspired mermaid of his most famous fairy tale.
In my story, "The Cave," I wanted to honor The True Hero, who delivered supplies of oxygen tanks to the cave, and sadly, lost his life in service to others. I borrowed from Hans Christian Andersen's notion that there is a heaven, and that when we die we become (People) of The Air. Hans Christian Andersen gave me a poetic reference point with which I could describe death - a taboo subject in Western Societies - and soften the blow, without diminishing the heroism of The True Hero, who did not die in vain.
Mermaids feature in my story, "The Cave," and help to convey the enchantment I intended.
Of course, when I researched Thai culture, I decided that Thai Mysticism would be a predominant theme in the book, and Dulong or mermaids have been spotted out to sea, off Thailand's picturesque coastline. I was delighted when I discovered this fact!
When I delved further into Thai Folklore, I uncovered the magical story of The Princess of The Mountain, and the tale of her love for a stable boy, which was forbidden.
Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tales feature princesses and magical helpers who "fly" to castles to spy on them, in order to help suitors, who have to pass a series of tests. These elements in Andersen's tales helped me create Khun Mae - a Shaman Mother figure, who could "communicate" and tune in to what was happening to her son, Lek, from a distance.
Of course, it is well known that The Wild Boars passed their rites of passage because of the effort of International Rescue Experts from all over the world. But what also kept the boys going was communication with loved ones, the thought of "home," significant others, and what that love meant to them.
What is the greatest joy of writing for you?
Doing what I love. Being Creative.
Communicating with people. Making people happy.
What do your fans mean to you?
I'm really grateful to have a good fanbase.
Who are your favorite authors?
My long-term adult book favorites are Virginia Woolf, Nabokov, James Joyce, George Eliot, Hardy, Isabel Allende, Daphne Du Maurier. I read avidly and I'm compiling an Indie Author top 10, across all genres, which will be revealed soon!
What inspires you to get out of bed each day?
The sound of computer keys tapping, the smell of coffee.
Coming Soon - Illustrated Version!
The Cave
Delighted to announce "The Cave" EPUB version is launched in time for Young Adults Week. ONLY on Smashwords!
An illustrated version will follow on Amazon soon!
Delighted to announce "The Cave" EPUB version is launched in time for Young Adults Week. ONLY on Smashwords!
An illustrated version will follow on Amazon soon!
How Reading Fantasy Books Helps Develop Children's Imaginations and why this is Important.
Sometimes, people overlook the value of reading fantasy to children because of our obsession with a hierarchy of knowledge that places “realism” above “fantasy” and “science” above “art.”
We want to cram our children’s heads full of facts, such is our banking system of education. But this is not what education is about.
Although my brain is more artistic than scientific, I value science and hope that my books will help to develop the imaginations of scientists in the making as well as budding artists. And I think they will! For nothing that has ever been invented by a scientist has been invented without an imaginative brain. And nothing created by an artist is created without the capacity to envision something out of the ordinary.
Although both my children’s books are based in reality, they are full of modern parables, tales within tales. This kind of fantasy is created at metaphorical level in the text and allows for a multiplicity of meanings and scope for children’s imaginations. It is through exploring the many threads that combining of metaphors can create, that children learn to innovate for themselves.
Learning to put unusual things together at metaphorical level helps "out of the box" thinking.
Older children will also learn to reason. Not all possible meanings in a text are equally valid. They will use logic and reason to uncover what is the most likely interpretation of the book or what the author intended the meaning to be. And they will have opinions of their own.
Some time ago a reviewer of “Snugs The Snow Bear” seemed to misunderstand why I had mentioned The Northern Lights in my snow bear tale, and gone into some detail describing them. They, of course, were a metaphor for the supernatural magic of the snow bear, and were meant to indicate that he should be free to show up like them, as part of nature, part of the environment and natural beauty of the world.
At another level, an older child might interpret these lights as triggers to fantastic memories of home, a kind of analogy to the way in which memory operates like cinema - a series of flashing images before one’s eyes, that can be fleeting and transitory. Of course, at a more literal level, The Northern Lights immediately conjure up the snow bear in his natural environment.
A quirky metaphor in Snugs The Snow Bear is an egg-timer. I will not reveal the literal meaning in the text here. But at metaphorical level, it may be interpreted to represent the “sands of time” running out on climate change.
Children’s books that are written clearly and simply mean very young kids can read them and enjoy them. Those that also have rich layers of meaning allow older children and adults to enjoy them, too.
It is my belief that imagination is like a muscle. Use it often enough, and you will develop it.
If we are to see future generations of artists, scientists, great thought leaders and innovative business people in the making, they will need imagination in bucketloads.
Children’s books are a rehearsal for life. Through fantasy, children can learn to problem solve, put themselves in the position of the characters and develop an imaginative empathy for others, including animals.
Rather than dumbing down and short-changing our kids, we should be posing questions about the world around them for which they can seek answers and solutions.
This does not mean our books have to be dry and boring. On the contrary, through being entertained, children will surprise us with the discoveries their imaginative minds make.
We want to cram our children’s heads full of facts, such is our banking system of education. But this is not what education is about.
Although my brain is more artistic than scientific, I value science and hope that my books will help to develop the imaginations of scientists in the making as well as budding artists. And I think they will! For nothing that has ever been invented by a scientist has been invented without an imaginative brain. And nothing created by an artist is created without the capacity to envision something out of the ordinary.
Although both my children’s books are based in reality, they are full of modern parables, tales within tales. This kind of fantasy is created at metaphorical level in the text and allows for a multiplicity of meanings and scope for children’s imaginations. It is through exploring the many threads that combining of metaphors can create, that children learn to innovate for themselves.
Learning to put unusual things together at metaphorical level helps "out of the box" thinking.
Older children will also learn to reason. Not all possible meanings in a text are equally valid. They will use logic and reason to uncover what is the most likely interpretation of the book or what the author intended the meaning to be. And they will have opinions of their own.
Some time ago a reviewer of “Snugs The Snow Bear” seemed to misunderstand why I had mentioned The Northern Lights in my snow bear tale, and gone into some detail describing them. They, of course, were a metaphor for the supernatural magic of the snow bear, and were meant to indicate that he should be free to show up like them, as part of nature, part of the environment and natural beauty of the world.
At another level, an older child might interpret these lights as triggers to fantastic memories of home, a kind of analogy to the way in which memory operates like cinema - a series of flashing images before one’s eyes, that can be fleeting and transitory. Of course, at a more literal level, The Northern Lights immediately conjure up the snow bear in his natural environment.
A quirky metaphor in Snugs The Snow Bear is an egg-timer. I will not reveal the literal meaning in the text here. But at metaphorical level, it may be interpreted to represent the “sands of time” running out on climate change.
Children’s books that are written clearly and simply mean very young kids can read them and enjoy them. Those that also have rich layers of meaning allow older children and adults to enjoy them, too.
It is my belief that imagination is like a muscle. Use it often enough, and you will develop it.
If we are to see future generations of artists, scientists, great thought leaders and innovative business people in the making, they will need imagination in bucketloads.
Children’s books are a rehearsal for life. Through fantasy, children can learn to problem solve, put themselves in the position of the characters and develop an imaginative empathy for others, including animals.
Rather than dumbing down and short-changing our kids, we should be posing questions about the world around them for which they can seek answers and solutions.
This does not mean our books have to be dry and boring. On the contrary, through being entertained, children will surprise us with the discoveries their imaginative minds make.
5-stars Readers Favorite
Delighted to receive a 5-star #bookreview for our book from the highly-regarded Readers Favorite
Reviewed By Emily-Jane Hills Orford for Readers’ Favorite
“Leaves are love letters/ that fall from the sky” – what a beautiful way to begin a collection of poems that celebrate the seasons of life. There are special celebrations we associate with each season: winter hosts Christmas and spring suggests Easter. There are special events and sports associated with each season: football with cheerleaders in the fall; sledding in the winter; baseball in the spring – and so much more. There are lots of things to celebrate all year long.
Suzy Davies’ picture book story, Celebrate The Seasons, is a sweet, charming collection of poems and illustrations to help young readers celebrate something special about each season. It is interesting that the author begins with Fall; I think I would have begun with Spring, but perhaps the idea is to leave the best for last: Spring and Summer. The poems are all rhyming verse and cleverly constructed with wonderful illustrations to accompany each theme. The magic of each season evokes all of our five senses and the poet/author is clear in representing each of the senses.
I think I’m partial to her use of music imagery with striking metaphors that beautify: “let’s go dancing in the rain,/ skipping to the rhythm of a musical refrain!” The references connecting rain to music in the charming poem “Dancing in the Rain with My Friends” doesn’t end there: “There’s joy in the rainsongs, the sweetest melodies,/ and the rhythm of the raindrops as delightful as can be!/ How I love the music, lightly pattering away;/ the air has special energy – brings laughter here, today!” These words bring music to my ears because isn’t music all around us all the time? This book is a real treasure.
Reviewed By Emily-Jane Hills Orford for Readers’ Favorite
“Leaves are love letters/ that fall from the sky” – what a beautiful way to begin a collection of poems that celebrate the seasons of life. There are special celebrations we associate with each season: winter hosts Christmas and spring suggests Easter. There are special events and sports associated with each season: football with cheerleaders in the fall; sledding in the winter; baseball in the spring – and so much more. There are lots of things to celebrate all year long.
Suzy Davies’ picture book story, Celebrate The Seasons, is a sweet, charming collection of poems and illustrations to help young readers celebrate something special about each season. It is interesting that the author begins with Fall; I think I would have begun with Spring, but perhaps the idea is to leave the best for last: Spring and Summer. The poems are all rhyming verse and cleverly constructed with wonderful illustrations to accompany each theme. The magic of each season evokes all of our five senses and the poet/author is clear in representing each of the senses.
I think I’m partial to her use of music imagery with striking metaphors that beautify: “let’s go dancing in the rain,/ skipping to the rhythm of a musical refrain!” The references connecting rain to music in the charming poem “Dancing in the Rain with My Friends” doesn’t end there: “There’s joy in the rainsongs, the sweetest melodies,/ and the rhythm of the raindrops as delightful as can be!/ How I love the music, lightly pattering away;/ the air has special energy – brings laughter here, today!” These words bring music to my ears because isn’t music all around us all the time? This book is a real treasure.
Book News
"The Flamingos Who Painted The Sky," our new picture book is NOW fully available to bring in #Christmas #sunshine, #flamingo #sunsets, and #happiness #worldwide Illustrated by the talented Shirin Mass ...more
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