This week we got the chance to speak to Jonny Willox, author of the children's book 'The Hairy Fairy', and ask him some questions about his recent book and life as an author!

What are three interesting factors about yourself?

Originally from England, I now live in Ireland with my wife, twin daughters, two fun-loving sausage dogs and two mischievous cats who all keep me in check and a little crazy.

I’m passionate about the well-being of our younger generation and can often be seen delivering workshops in schools and communities, focussing on mental health, positive mindsets, and raising young people’s aspirations.

As a performer, I am currently touring Ireland & the UK to sell out shows with the musical drama, 'Blood Upon the Rose'.

As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up?

In my younger years, I’m told that all I wanted to be, was to be a daddy.  I’m now a daddy and I just need to achieve the growing up part…  Working in the arts sector, that feat is proving harder to negotiate.

When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

Mmmm… not a simple question! Writing, as we know, can often be seen as a guilty pleasure and undertaken in secret with works saved on a laptop, or hidden in a drawer – that was the case for me in my youth. In my early twenties, it was something I wished to pursue, and I went back to study English Literature & Creative Writing.  Two degrees later, I became a resident writer for a theatre in Hampshire, England; from there, I entered the world of corporate training, theatre in education, and a motivational speaker for young people – all of which satisfied my creative urges. 

When lockdown encroached upon our paths, all my work disappeared, and my craving to be a writer, once again, wrestled with my emotions.  With the support and encouragement from my amazing wife, my writing journey commenced full throttle, and now, I’ve discovered my happy place…

Author Jonny Willox, at an event. 

Can you tell me about the book?

The Hairy Fairy explores issues surrounding the mental health and well-being of children.  The book investigates the need for us all to be happy and to be proud of ourselves, no matter what; especially in a world where feeling and being different to others can cause internal anxieties we do not speak of.

During lockdown, I began a weekly ‘Storytime with Jonny’, on Facebook, for my local youth club. It proved a great success and is where my inspiration originated.  I recognised the need to help young people overcome the rising pressures of post-lockdown life, in particular loneliness, self-image, and the negative mindsets young people have.  My aim is to uplift, entertain, and create positivity by building confidence in an ever-challenging world. 

With The Hairy Fairy, I wanted to disrupt the preconception that fairies are perfect; therefore, my fairy is hairy, with dumpy legs and hangs out with pixies and goblins – she knows she’s not like other fairies and is happy and content with who she is – she gets to visit our world when other fairies can’t, which make her feel special and loved.

What inspired you to write your book?

Being the proud father of twin girls – they’re now aged nine and are of an age that they no longer believe I am twenty-one!!!  These two wee poppets are my inspiration and my litmus test – they’re very happy to tell me what they like and do not like; they’ll even throw in their own sample illustrations for consideration while offering up ideas.

I never planned to write children’s books and I have a novel I am close to finishing; however, inspiring and working with children is a strong motivator for me.  Every child has the right to grow & develop with a positive outlook and if I can assist with this, then that is the inspiration for me to continue along this path.

How long did it take you to write your first book?

6 weeks. Give or take musings and procrastination breaks.

What do you think makes a good story?

Aside from characters, setting and the plot.  I always remember that stories are as young as time itself, and I take the premise that all stories have been told before. Therefore, it is up to me, the writer, to be unique, brave, and unforgiving with how I tell a story – from the words I choose through to the style and voice I offer the reader. I think words should flow like music. One bad word can prevent a rhythm, thus jolting the text with an awkward instability and deterring the reader from reading it again. I start the story as late as possible and end the story as early as possible – get in, get out, no waffle!  I try to lift the words off the page, to create imagery that entices the reader – I never spoon-feed them and I like them to use their imagination.

What did you learn when writing the book?

I had to allow my imagination the freedom to experiment and place trust in my creativity.  The Hairy Fairy was originally a tooth fairy, based upon letters I had written to my daughters every time a tooth fell out, and with twins – that’s a lot a’ teeth!  The tooth fairy was proving troublesome – at the same time, as I mentioned earlier, I was questioning the expectations we have of fairies and what if one was a little different – thus, The Hairy Fairy was born.  As a writer, you may think you have the story all worked out, but the beauty is you must allow the story to reveal itself to you – I love this aspect, however, it can be frustrating when your mind is barren of ideas.

What surprised you the most?

With writing, it was finally letting go and getting to know my alter ego – do I sound crazy?  Welcome to my world!  The Hairy Fairy has allowed me to find my literary voice for children and the children’s book market. 

We get tuned in to the publicity and marketing, which can make you forget what you have given to the world.  Parents are sharing pictures of themselves reading The Hairy Fairy with their children.  People that I do not know, buying my book and reading it to their children – that is an honour and a privilege, and it drives me on.

Author Jonny Willox and his family and friends at a book event.

What advice would you give to aspiring authors?

Richard Bach once said: “A professional writer is an amateur who didn’t quit.”  Do not quit - have patience, trust yourself, and realise perfection does not exist.  Lose any fear you have of sharing your work, and remember, constructive criticism does not mean you are a bad writer.  Write every day. It doesn’t matter what, just write every day; trust me!

Jonny is currently visiting local schools and introducing young audiences to his book, along with guesting on podcasts!

You can find Jonny on The Shift Control Sales Podcast, linked below.

https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/business-ideas-for-smes-and-start-ups/id1111790279?i=1000575866338

The Hairy Fairy

Jonny Willox

£ 6.99

ISBN: 9781838752101

Order Today: https://pegasuspublishers.com/books/all/the-hairy-fairy