Rachael Lindsay Author Interview

Rachael Lindsay is one of our most popular children’s authors. She regularly visits schools throughout the year to promote her books and engage children in reading and writing. Her sixth book with us, The Changeling’s Child, was released last December and we’re thrilled to be able to ask her some questions about her work.

How would you describe The Changeling’s Child and who would you say it is aimed at?

The Changeling’s Child is a tale of talking mushrooms, knitting moss-makers, liars and spies; a story of longing to love and be loved; a book of loyal friendship, changelings and spells. It is an escape into fantasy for the imaginative reader, who loves the fun of language, meeting quirky characters and learning a little along the way.

How does this book differ from your previous titles for children? Are there any similarities?

I have left the sunshine world of the trolls behind and entered into the forbidding, long, green, slime fronds, with new characters to introduce to my readers. The book is make-believe with an element of historical influence: at the same time as being drawn into an entertaining adventure where the reader cheers on the heroine, the myth of changelings – and the way some children were treated, years ago – is explained.

There is no troll-talk but Hobnail’s speech patterns will still amuse; as with my other titles, I love word play.

The troll mice have been replaced by Warty Toad and Snidey Slug, but still there is the familiar love/hate relationship between them showing loyalty and friendship, as well as rivalry. The main text is punctuated by stories relayed to these two, strange companions, as they live together in the Dark Hole.

This is your sixth book to be published with us. What continues to inspire you?

Look around you. There are ideas and opportunities to inspire writing wherever you go, with whomever you meet and at whatever the time.

I have always wanted to be an author, from a very young age. To be lost in the writing of your own story is the perfect way to escape.  This is something I will always do, as long as I have the wits and a pencil to hand!

Natalie Fern did the lovely illustrations for The Changeling’s Child. How do you work with her? Do you give her the ideas, or does she read the book and come up with her own?

Nat is a very talented artist who also designs, making costumes and prosthetics for theatrical productions. I asked her to draw chosen illustrations, with selected extracts of text and copious additional notes! We talk. We email. We laugh. She is a superstar and I’m very grateful to her.

Do you already have any plans for your next book?

A recent break in the beautiful mountains of Switzerland gave me time, peace and quiet, and the fresh air to plan my next story. My new notebook is full! Each day, after stretching my legs, I settled to write until it was dark. I now have to find further time to decipher my scribblings and transfer them to laptop… perhaps I should look at some flights. Genuine flights of fantasy!

You give lots of talk in schools. What are some of your most enjoyable memories from these events?

Oh the joys of the modern age…I once asked a group of little ones what they might like to find in a casket, like Thom the troll found in “The Warrior Troll”. I misheard the answer and thought the little boy said: “Knives and forks!” I was impressed as Thom had indeed found knives – the Vikings ate only with knives… Except that the teacher corrected me. He had said, “An IPhone 4.” Aaaaaargh.

I love visiting schools and leading writing workshops. The excitement of the children is wonderful and without doubt, having them in the palm of my hand as I read is the best thing, ever.  Children laugh with me and embrace the world of fantasy so readily; it is a delight and a privilege to be a part of their childhood happiness.

What books most inspired you as a child?

I read avidly. The books I preferred have definitely influenced my choice of genre in writing. Peter Pan by JM Barrie, was a firm favourite which I revisited many times. I loved every scene and event in The Tales of Narnia by CS Lewis, wishing and wishing I could find a wardrobe to disappear through. Maybe that’s why I run to the fir trees and snow of the mountains, now? In addition, a little-known book: The Sentimental Dragon by Grace Cox-Ife was by my bedside throughout my childhood. It taught me empathy in reading for the first time.

What advice would you give to any young children who are perhaps struggling with reading and writing and who want to engage with it more?

Read my books, obviously!

Seriously though, don’t struggle with a book you are not enjoying. Choose another. Share read with a special friend and parents/carers/grandparents.  This keeps the river of words flowing and clears understanding.  It models how to read with expression, where to pause for punctuation or just effect, and being together brings shared enjoyment of the text.

As for writing, remember good readers make good writers. Read all genres and different authors. Put some down and pick others up. It will come.