-Interview

[[image:hundal.jpg align="left" caption="Nancy Hundal" link="http://www.nancyhundal.com/"]]Interview with children's literature author, //[|Nancy Hundal].//
===On November 4, 2007, I was delighted to have the opportunity to interview one of my favourite children's literature writer - Nancy Hundal. She graciously answered all my questions with insightful responses. Here's what she had to say.===


 * [[image:http://www.nancyhundal.com/images/camptop.jpg align="right" link="http://www.nancyhundal.com/books/mother.htm"]]KR** //What advice would you offer to aspiring writers?//
 * NH** I would say read a wide variety of whatever genre you're intending to write in, from Canada, the States, England, Australia. Not only is it smart to know what is currently in vogue in topics for children, it will also give you an idea of what really appeals to you, and thus what will probably be your strength as a writer. For me, there are many different types of picture books that I enjoy, but the ones that really awe me are the fabulous ones in the vein that I write in. They sometimes intimidate, but always inspire me.


 * KR** //When did you realize you wanted to write profesionally? How did you get started?//
 * NH** I took a correspondence course in writing for children towards the end of my university years, and began by finishing this course, and then writing stories for magazines. After I'd done this for a while, I got up my courage to send a book to publishers. I always loved and did well in English and Creative Writing courses in school, but didn't have a clearly formulated idea about being a writer until I became interested in the children's writing course.


 * KR** //What other genres and authors do you like to read?//
 * NH** Because I am a teacher-librarian, I read a lot of books for children for my work, which is of course great for my own writing, as well. So I read [[image:http://www.nancyhundal.com/images/number21top.jpg align="left" link="http://www.nancyhundal.com/books/number.htm"]]everything from picture books to young adult books, so I can stay ahead of my avid readers and recommend the next great read to them. Some children's writers I really enjoy: Sharon Creech, Eric Walters, Kenneth Oppel, Cornelia Funke, Kate di Camillo, Chris Van Allsburg, Eve Bunting, Patricia Polacco, Mem Fox, Kevin Henkes, Karen Hesse, Deborah Ellis...I have a very long list, so that's just a few. My love in adult books - when I sneak the time away from kids' - is Canadian fiction. I am reading Alistair MacLeod right now, after seeing him at the Writer's Festival.


 * KR.** //What is the most difficult aspect when writing children's stories?//
 * NH.** The most difficult aspect is the beginning - outlining the story, making sure it holds together, is worthy of a whole book. The ideas come thick and fast; winnowing them into the best is the toughest part.


 * KR** //Do fairy tales have any influence on your work and if so which ones?//
 * NH** I don't think any particular fairy tales had specific influence, although I spent a lot of time writing about mermaids, fairies and witches when I was a kid, and do recall a novel I loved called The Witch Family by Eleanor Estes. I decided to write Twilight Fairies partly to revisit that love of what was in my day a typically little girl interest.


 * KR** //Do you feel that there are any children's literature stories out recently that could somehow fall into a fairy tale genre, that you enjoy?//
 * NH** There are many, many fairy tale takeoffs out these days. I like Cinderella Skeleton and am interested to have a look at a new one I just heard of by Dan Bar-El. I have always especially loved the ones illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman - gorgeous style that just suits my feeling of fairy tales.

**KR** //Do you have a favourite character in your works?//
 * NH** I'm pleased with all my books, but I guess because the characters in Number 21 are my real family, those characters hold a special place in my heart. A few details there are fictional, but basically that one is lifted right out of my childhood. My Dad loved that book.


 * KR** //Do you have a favourite character in other authors' work? If so, what makes this character most admired?//
 * NH** I love most of Sharon Creech's and Kate di Camillo's characters, in particular the female main characters in Walk Two Moons and Heartbeat (Creech) and Because of Winn Dixie (di Camillo), and the boy in Love That Dog (Creech). They are all feisty people, but they have a vulnerability and humanity that really speaks to me. When I grow up, I want to write just like those two women!