Hellooo, you all! I hope you’ve all been having a wonderful week so far! ^^ Today, I am super stoked to share with you an interview with a young writer who just recently published her first middle-grade fantasy, The Moon Crystal!
As a teen author who published my first book when I was the same age as Ava, it is always such a joy to meet other young writers who are pursuing their dreams, and — while I haven’t read The Moon Crystal yet — I’m excited to have Ava on here!
Oddly enough, there’s is also a magical crystal orb in my own series called the Moon Crystal, so this is a fun coincidence! XD
Anyway, take it away, Ava!
Hi Ava! Thank you so much for being here! It is wonderful to have a fellow young writer on the blog! To start us off, could you tell us a bit about yourself, your book, and how you got the idea for The Moon Crystal?
Hi! My name is Ava McDonald. I’m 11 years old and in 6th grade. I’ve been making up books for as long as I can remember. The Moon Crystal is about a fifth-grade girl who finds a mysterious crystal and ends up in a much bigger adventure. I got the idea when I was walking down a sidewalk and found a crystal. I picked it up, and when I held it near the full moon it started sparkling and glowing. I thought that was really cool, and it made me want to write a story about a moon crystal.
Oh, I love that! Could you tell us a little bit about your writing process and how you get from the idea to the final draft?
Usually I get an idea first and start writing it down. I’ve made little books by folding paper, taping the pages together, and writing stories inside them. With The Moon Crystal, I came up with the idea, characters, and what was going to happen, and then I kept writing the story. My parents helped me with the parts that turned it from my handwritten story into a real published book.
What authors have inspired you the most, both in your writing and in your life?
I really like reading Goosebumps with my mom, so R.L. Stine is one of the authors I know the best. I like stories that are strange, exciting, and make you want to know what happens next. Reading with my mom also made books a normal part of my life.
What was your favorite part about writing this book? What did you find was the hardest part?
My favorite part was writing the part where the crystal is found because that is where everything starts. I honestly didn’t have a really hard time writing The Moon Crystal. I liked making the story up and seeing where it went.
Did you always know that you wanted to be a writer?
I’ve been making up books as long as I can remember, but I don’t know if I always thought of it as saying, “I want to be a writer.” I just liked making stories. Now that I’ve published one, I definitely want to keep writing.
I think it’s amazing that you took the leap to publishing The Moon Crystal while you’re still young! What was it like seeing your story become a real, published book?
I was very happy, a little scared, and excited. It was really cool seeing something that started as an idea in my head become a real book with my name on it.
What are your favorite things to do when you’re not writing?
I like studying, nature, doing and testing all kinds of things, reading Goosebumps with my mom, playing Astro Bot on the PlayStation 5, looking at the full moon, and making art. I’ve sold paintings before too.
Do you have any other writing projects that you’re working on right now?
Yes. The next book I want to write is called The Movie Star Job.
Ooh, that sounds most interesting!! And last but not least, what is your advice for any other young writers out there who want to become authors and get their stories out into the world?
I would tell them to just follow their dreams. If you have an idea, write it down and keep going with it. Something that starts as an idea can become a real book.
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I think that’s great advice and it’s so true!! Every book starts with a small seed of an idea, and it can grow into something so much more if you just keep going and follow the story. :)) A huge thank you to Ava for coming on the blog today! It was wonderful having you here, Ava, and I wish you the very best of luck with The Moon Crystal and whatever stories you write next! ^^
A thank you to you, dear reader, for reading this interview! I do hope y’all enjoyed meeting Ava and learning more about her book! Speaking of which, should any of you wish to buy her book (cough cough) the paperback and ebook are available over on Amazon!
And to all you other young writers out in the world reading this: Don’t be afraid to follow your dreams. You have an idea (or two!) bouncing around in your head? Write them down! Write the messy first draft! Whether you’re writing on your laptop or folding pieces of paper together to make a tiny book, go for it! One never knows where a small idea may take you…
And, of course, don’t forget to check out Marvelous Middle Grade Monday, where Greg Pattridge and a bunch of other amazing book bloggers come together every Monday to share MG book reviews, interviews, and more!
Till next time, and keep writing!
-Isabelle
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