Suzy Davies's Blog: Book News - Posts Tagged "the-cave"

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.

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It is well-known that the name of the author of “Harry Potter” books - J. K. Rowling - is such because Rowling wanted her name to appeal to boys who would read her books. Her publisher decided that to appeal to a young male audience, (as well as females,) who might be put off by the notion of a woman writing “their” books, it was better to use the initial “J” and add the “K,” perhaps for extra authority - Rowling did not have a middle name.

Any author of Young Adult Books has to make their own choices with regard to their pen name, if any.

But I have chosen to stick with “Suzy Davies” for my new release on Smashwords, “The Cave,” because if I am the only woman to write about the Thai Cave, (among a proliferation of male authors,) so be it.

My version of the Thai Cave story has all the so-called “masculine” elements of an action adventure story interwoven with a thread of mysticism and the supernatural.

In “The Cave” I bring bonds of family love, which the boys themselves acknowledge helped them through their challenges, to the foreground.

My book balances fact and fiction, thought and feeling, mind and body, the private sphere and public sphere, and questions gender stereotypes.

I have Hans Christian Andersen to thank for giving me the idea that mermaids helped the Navy Seals in their Heroic mission. The film, “Bend it Like Beckham” inspired me to create industrious Jintara, the heroine seamstress/artist in the story, who plays football as well as any boy hero. And little Lec, Jintara’s brother, and the hero of the tale, is strong and sensitive.

The Thai Cave could easily be reduced to a cliche - an epic tale of The Heroic - without acknowledging the women heroines whose power to love and to nurture brought those Wild Boars home.

Suzy Davies, Author, “The Cave” Copyright 2018, All Rights Reserved.

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A Shaman flew o’er Bangkok
to a cave, when it was dark.
The wind it blew
through the black night,
and the Monsoon
fell, drop on drop.

She halted near a cave of magic,
where people say a princess, tragic,
took her life;
her love so deep,
and pools of water
are where she weeps.

The cave is but a royal tomb,
and blood runs
from the royal womb,
the lake’s waters,
a grave do make,
for men to drown
in waters’ wake.

The shaman’s vision saw it all
as drop on drop,
the rain did fall.
A stranger came
on a black steed,
to help her
in her hour of need,
“Sir,” said the shaman, “Please help me,
please. Tell the princess,
- set him free!”

The monk had eyes, honest and true,
he told the shaman
all he knew,
“Lek is safe,” he whispered soft,
then on his steed,
away did trot.

The horse’s mane
an ocean crest,
shone spectral light
where’er it went,
and thunderous hooves
made phantom sounds
that round the mountain
did resound.

And if you listen
on stormy nights,
some say you see them
as they ride,
through lush forests
near Tham Luang Cave,
where The Wild Boars
this History made.

Copyright Suzy Davies, 2018. All Rights Reserved. No Copying.

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I have had a few people ask me where they can find my book, "The Cave"

It's an ebook on Smashwords.

Here's the link to my profile where you can find a review of my book:

https://www.smashwords.com/profile/vi...

Here's the link direct to "The Cave" on Smashwords:

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view...

Some of the best qualities to cultivate in children are: patience, resilience, perseverance, courage, loyalty and kindness.
In these challenging Covid times, these qualities are all the more important and will effect outcomes for everyone all over the world.
In my opinion, and one which is backed by scientific studies, in order to succeed in life, children, and of course, their adults, need to practice deferred gratification. This means having the wisdom and good judgement to wait for what we may feel we want now, if this means a better outcome in the long run.
So, many of us are doing just this, sacrificing "normal everyday life" by wearing masks, adhering to lockdown bubbles, social distancing, and, more often than not, simply staying at home for the greater good.
Children are feeling lonely and isolated, cut off from friends and family and missing the freedom of play outdoors.
One of the most healing things to do is to make home a haven, and to bring in nature and outdoor activities indoors. And we can do this by reading adventure stories.
One of the most natural things about childhood is that kids have an innate sense of wonder and curiousity about the world around them.
I am fortunate to have had a happy childhood, which I remember vividly. One of the things I remember most is reading adventure books. And I also remember the real-life adventures, and today I'm going to share a snippet of information about The Boot Camp in Kendal in The Lake District. I went there when I was eight years old.
On this residential camp, every day was an outdoor adventure. I recall one particular day walking on nature trails that led to a wooded area. In this wood were all kinds of "ungirly," (for want of a better word,) things to do - at least they were considered tomboyish - in the 1960's. There were climbing frames, tyres swinging from trees, wooden horses, rope ladders and the like - a giant obstacle course to negotiate in teams. It was such fun! At the end of the day after hot showers and a change of clothes, we all chatted together about what we had achieved, how we problem-solved, what worked and what didn't, and how we felt about the challenges we had overcome. All this at a long trestle table, where we ate dinner together, washed down with mugs of hot tea. In our dorms, some of us had stashed away Kendle Mint Cake for a midnight feast.
When I reflect on this wonderful adventure today, I can remember how it boosted my confidence, and made me feel I could succeed at anything on which I had set my heart, mind and soul. I also learned how great it was when a team pulled together for a common goal. When a member of our team got stuck, we would help them.
And so, this was one small beginning that got me hooked on adventure, and now I am a writer who writes about this taste for adventure, this openness to new experiences, that has never ever left me. I am passionate about the value of adventure quests.
Adventure books, as you will know, follow the familiar pattern of Home-Away-Home, where the protagonist or hero starts out on an adventure, and the process of overcoming challenges and difficulties makes them "more than" they were before.
The quest narrative is a metaphor for life itself; and the emotional, physical and mental challenges the heroes meet bring out and develop qualities and character traits that were latent, and, perhaps, unknown before.
Of all the qualities a human being can have, it is my belief that courage is the greatest of all. For it is from this quality that all other qualities flow. By reading adventure books, children emulate role models who have the courage to be themselves - their best selves. But, perhaps even more important, they learn camaraderie and teamwork; the ability to reach out in a non-judgemental way to others. They learn not to fear reaching out to a fellow human being, and how by putting their needs before their own, they elevate themselves. In other words, bravery and kindness are a win. Through reading adventure stories, children learn about the world with those who are, in some ways, different than themselves. It takes courage to take the imaginative leap that is empathetic understanding; a quality every good hero has in their love for humanity.

Bringing up kids and doing it right is difficult. Parents and significant others are just humans, wonderful carers doing their best.

We often talk about the best way to prepare children for their lives, and what will help them best.

When reading and books are part of children’s lives, part of their routines, and the love they are shown on a daily basis, children begin to associate reading with pleasure and happy emotions. It doesn't really matter what they read, as long as it does no harm and your child enjoys it. They will gain from reading. Let me count the ways!

Reading creates building blocks for Literacy. Literacy is a key, essential skill that unlocks many pathways to learning, whether academic or practical. I once taught a child of 17 who was illiterate when she came to me. She had difficulty finding things in the supermarket because she did not understand social sight words - common words that most people take for granted. She had never attended formal school, and her sole experience in life was caring for her widower father. I taught her step by step by creating age-appropriate learning materials from scratch. She was with me for over a year. I saw her transformation from an anxious little girl to a woman who had confidence that she could navigate the world! After she left my class, she came back to see me and proudly showed me an engagement ring. She has also landed a job! Literacy is a life skill that is not an option. You owe it to your child to read to them, and when they are able to read for themselves, to encourage a love of reading and books.

So what else does reading do? Well, it creates empathy. Children learn social skills, and the ability to put themselves into another person’s shoes. Empathy is something that is underestimated in this world of analysis. But a good listener is a good conversationalist because they can read the messages behind what someone is saying and respond with compassion and understanding. Children’s books with rich characterization and a colorful, natural conversational style are memorable to young children, and help them cultivate their communication skills.

Moreover, reading expands the mind, and in particular, the imagination. As Einstein suggested, the imagination is far greater than a knowledge bank since it is all about the ability to think laterally, to create, and invent. In life, we often have to adapt our approach and improvise, even in our everyday routines. For instance, what if an item in a recipe is missing from our cupboards or fridges. What do we do? We improvise! Invention and improvisation help us navigate difficulties and challenges with a Can-Do attitude.

Children’s books, of course, should do something more than simply entertain and should have educational value.

What else do children’s books do? They promote curiosity. Again, drawing on Einstein, we all know that cleverness is more often than not developed by a passion for inquiry, and we can stimulate this passion by showing children a world that is bigger than the world with which they are familiar.

Reading books that “go beyond” allow children’s minds to expand, they develop new vocabulary, and we know that our capacity to think, to perceive, and to express our thoughts depends directly on our stock of words.

In this “get by” culture why do we short-change our kids, and why are some people content to leave education to teachers and schools alone? This is like putting your child’s destiny in the hands of a stranger or at best, trusting that destiny to someone other than yourself.

Children's lives are precious! In these troubled times, we can encourage friendship with others by encouraging children to read with us at home. Sharing stories with siblings and peers will help create bonds between children, and they will learn that friends often have similar interests and tastes.

In addition, diverse books, which celebrate differences, for instance diverse cultures, will teach children mutual respect and understanding, so essential to build a better world. Happy World Book Day!