Writer's Tips Newsletter — November 2006

FROM THE EDITOR:

Interview with Michael O. Tunnell. Over the last two years of attending the BYU Writing for Young Readers Conference in Provo, Utah, I've observed that Mike Tunnell is one of those established authors who genuinely strives to prepare worthwhile workshops and presentations and to give helpful answers to participants' questions. Mike is the author of Mailing May, Halloween Pie, and Wishing Moon, among many other titles. I am pleased to be featuring my interview with him in this issue of Writer's Tips.

Upcoming Interviews. Watch for interviews with more published authors and other industry professionals in future issues of Writer's Tips. Dave Wolverton, a.k.a., David Farland (Of Mice and Magic, The Runelords, Star Wars Missions); Ann Cannon (I Know what You Do When I Go to School, Charlotte's Rose); Rick Walton (Bunny Christmas, Bullfrog Pops!); Jill Davis (editor for Bloomsbury Children's Books); and Edward Necarsulmer (literary agent at McIntosh and Otis), have all agreed to be interviewed.

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Happy Thanksgiving!

Interviewed by Lana Jordan

LJ: How extensive was your research for Wishing Moon — did you visit the Middle East?

MT: My research was quite extensive. The culture of the Arab world circa the ninth century was foreign to me, so I had much to learn. I, of course, did a lot of reading in reliable sources. I used the Internet. And I visited the Middle East, spending some time in Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, and Israel.

LJ: At what point did you know there would be a sequel?

MT: Before Wishing Moon was finished. I had originally planned for the story to end at a different place than it finally did. So, I already had an idea about where to go next. And I really should do a third book. By the way, the sequel is titled Moon Without Magic and should be available in the spring.

LJ: The concept of finding a genie (jinni) in a bottle or lamp is so timeless and alluring...how did you go about determining what Aminah would wish for?

MT: I knew right from the start that Aminah would use the jinni’s powers to do good. So, even her early wishes were designed to lead her to that determination—that she would help others.

LJ: How many rejection letters did you accumulate before getting published the first time? What kept you from giving up as a writer?

MT: So many that I can’t recall the number. I’m not sure what kept me from giving up. However, I took a break from writing to finish some graduate work. When I returned to writing for young readers, I was reenergized.

LJ: By comparison, how many rejections did you get on Wishing Moon, and have you found that the challenge of finding a publisher becomes easier with each subsequent book? If so, do you attribute that to being an "established" author, or to your maturity as a writer, gained from experience?

MT: Wishing Moon was originally under contract with HarperCollins. It’s a long and convoluted story, but in short, it came over from William Morrow when Morrow was purchased by Harper. Actually, I ended up with an open contract with Harper to do a novel instead of a picture book I had had under contract with Morrow. Anyhow, I couldn’t seem to come to an agreement with Harper about the story, so we decided I could shop it around. I sent the manuscript to five places at once. Dutton took it before anyone else responded.

LJ: How did you learn and perfect the craft of writing?

MT: I have never perfected the craft and never will. It is an ongoing learning and growing process. Reading, reading, reading and writing, writing, writing are keys to honing the craft. Beyond that, I imagine if you polled a large contingent of authors, you would get a great variety of answers.

Interview continues, click here to read more.

Reviewed by Lana Jordan

Aminah is an orphan and a beggar on the streets of the Arabian city where Aladdin lives with his wife, Princess Badr al-Budur. Although she lives in unimaginable poverty and filth, Aminah doesn't give up. Her desperate attempt to solicit sympathy and help from the heartless Princess Badr ends in disappointment...until Aminah unexpectedly finds herself the mistress of Aladdin's magic lamp.
 
Of course, the jinni of the lamp grants Aminah's wishes, which at first are typical desires that anyone might have: food, shelter, clothing...the necessities of life to a certain lavish extent. But soon, Aminah's wishes begin to take a turn that surprises even the seasoned jinni, who has seen many masters and heard countless wishes yet rarely experiences anything but the greedy, selfish side of human nature.
 
Aminah develops new friendships and puts the magic lamp to use, all the while knowing she must try to escape Princess Badr's wrath. As the Sultan's daughter, Badr al-Budur lives in resplendent wealth and luxury and enjoys virtually limitless power. But it isn't enough. Badr is determined to regain her husband's magic lamp — for herself.
 
"Wishing Moon" pulls readers into its story as naturally and surely as rubbing a magic lamp draws a jinni out to grant wishes. Within its pages, we find an irresistible world of enchantment, discovery, adventure, and suspense where anything is possible.
 
Who can deny the lure of a magic lamp? "Wishing Moon" hooks readers with that universal appeal, and then quietly, almost imperceptibly entices us to ponder the unspoken question: What would you wish for if you had a magic lamp?

by David Farland, a.k.a., Dave Wolverton

Lana Jordan is the founder of Jorlan Publishing, for which she does consulting and editing. She is the author of two books, Journey to Motherhood (pregnancy and childbirth from a mother's perspective) and The Sleepytime Ponies Trick a Trickster (bedtime read-aloud for ages 4 and up featuring magical flying ponies; humorous Mouse Deer folk tales; and dreamy illustrations). Available from the Jorlan Bookstore and Amazon.com.

Got rabbits? Check out Lana's free rabbit care e-Book.

Journey to Motherhood is also available as a free e-Book! Click here.