1. What inspired you to write this book? This is actually my third published book, and I wanted to prove to myself that I could produce something more light-hearted and humorous than what was presented in previous stories. I also really needed to challenge myself with something different at the time and was certainly curious to find out just how far my creative outlet could go when unleashed.
2. What exactly is it about and who is it written for? The Bronson Escapades is about a group of children, five siblings, who keep getting themselves into trouble and causing scrapes. Each child has a certain trait, for example, one of them always has their nose stuck in a book while somehow remaining the most observant of all, and each chapter in the story follows some combination of the family during their normal day-to-day lives. I usually aim to write for children aged somewhere between 9-12 years, focusing on simple chapter books for those more confident in reading alone, and this publication continues to follow suit.
3. What do you hope readers will get out of reading your book? I am hoping that my readers will be able to simply relax and have some fun with the witty dialogue, complete with inexplicable bursts of laughter, while shaking their heads in dismay or sympathizing with each character as they discover what sticky dilemmas await them next.
4. How did you decide on your book’s title and cover design? I used the word ‘escapades’ in the title to avoid the more common usage of ‘adventures’, while also giving potential readers a broad hint into what the plotline of the book might include with its similar meaning. I wanted to illustrate a barnyard scene on the cover to signify where the children live, and then to help convey the idea that it was definitely a place where people could easily imagine them getting into all sorts of mischief on the farm.
5. What advice or words of wisdom do you have for fellow writers – other than run!? Keep trying! It can be a rough road, full of potholes and bumps on the way, but I think it’s important for authors to be able to write about topics that inspire them, or that they’re passionate about, and really let that shine through by staying true to themselves. Write what you know, but keep challenging yourselves in new ways to get better at your craft. Always set achievable goals to aim for. My last piece of advice would be to not let anyone push you around – pursue the vision which you have for your own book and then search out those that will help you get there!
6. What trends in the book world do you see -- and where do you think the book publishing industry is heading? I have noticed that general reading and having physical volumes handy has become far less popular in recent years, but I believe that books and the written word will always have an esteemed place in society and that is going to help bring it back into accepted fashion at one point or another.
7. Were there experiences in your personal life or career that came in handy when writing this book? Yes and no. Inspiration for my stories can come from anywhere and everywhere, but I cannot think of a single instance that would signify much merely on its own. A lot of it comes down to what books I have previously read and the knowledge I’ve gained simply from learning through others.
8. How would you describe your writing style? Which writers or books is your writing similar to? My writing style is mostly narrative or descriptive – carefully crafting my characters and plotlines to entice readers into their world as if they were there in person, not merely observers. I usually love writing about animals, especially dogs, and delving into the various bonds that can develop between them and humans, but The Bronson Escapades is a little different and is probably most similar in style and genre to some of Enid Blyton’s works which are more relatable to middle-schoolers.
9. What challenges did you overcome in the writing of this book? This is one of the longest stories that I have ever written, and I found it a little challenging to keep it engaging while still having to develop multiple characters at the same time. It was also the first time I switched to using 3rd person instead of 1st, thinking that point of view would be easier for readers to follow when attempting to deal with several characters equally. By mixing up various combinations of children that were portrayed in each consecutive chapter and adding several unexpected twists, I was able to keep the story moving forward, while remaining fresh and interesting to the reader.
10. If people can buy or read one book this week or month, why should it be yours? It’s the best! Really though, I just wanted to write something that would entertain readers, including adults, and keep them guessing so much that they just have to turn over to the next page. And then the next…
About the Author:
I've been writing fictional short stories to share with friends and family for
almost as long as I can remember, and always enjoy exploring my creativity when
putting pen to paper - getting published has been a great way for me to develop
those writing skills even further and I am super grateful to have received such
a wonderful opportunity to share my love of writing with others. When I am not
busy writing, I like spending time exploring all the nearby parks with my pet
dog, Smoky. Other hobbies include playing trombone in a local band and working
diligently on my freelance photography business (Ali's Alley Photography) to
build up more interest and support on the side. For more information, please
see: https://www.austinmacauley.com/author/alison-bellringer
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