Monday, June 22, 2020

Bad Fairy and Author Elaine Kaye


Photo by batel galor on Unsplash
Don't all Fairies live in secret gardens?

An Interview with Elaine Kaye, author of Bad Fairy.

1. What was your hardest scene to write?
The scene with the twisty (the tornado) was the hardest to write because I had to figure out where my fairy characters would go, who would help, and how they’d survive. Of course, the devastation afterward was also tough. Trying to describe all that for kids was a challenge.

2. What makes you run screaming?
One word. Snakes.

3. You’re about to be dropped in a remote spot for a three-week survival test. Where would you go? What three tools would you take?
I would go to a private island off the coast of Key West, because I’ve always wanted to go to Key West. And I would bring a complete portable gas grill/burner, a fishing pole, and a tent. That way I can catch fish to eat and sleep peacefully at night.

4. What behind-the-scenes tidbit in your life would probably surprise your readers the most?
I am a children’s author to date, but I started out writing pioneer/frontier novels. I am still working on these stories, one of which I began in 1982, and hope to one day publish them.

5. If you had the opportunity to live anywhere in the world for a year while writing a book that took place in that same setting, where would you choose?
Hawaii. I lived there when I was younger for several years, so I know
quite a bit about Hawaii already, but I’d love to go back. Writing a book set there wouldn’t be so bad, either.

6. If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be?
Dreams do come true.

7. What does literary success look like to you?
That’s simple. Happiness. I’m retired. I’m not looking for big bucks or to be a best-seller. All I want to do is publish these books I’ve been dreaming of sharing for decades, see them in print, and know that someone out there is reading them.

8. Tell us about the book you’re working on now.
I am working on more books for the Bad Fairy Adventure series! And Gregory and Sammy (Gregory Green Adventure series) are always getting into trouble, too.





Title: Bad Fairy
Series: A Bad Fairy Adventure (Book One)
Author: Elaine Kaye
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Genre: Fantasy Middle Grade
Length: 66 pages
Age Range: 8-12


BLURB: Thistle Greenbud is not a bad fairy. She simply doesn't like rules, and it's just her luck that her homework is to create a new rule for the fairy handbook. But first, she has more important things to do. Like figure out how to get back at Dusty and Moss for playing tricks on her.

Before she can carry out her plan, though, disaster strikes and she finds herself working alongside the very fairies she wanted revenge on. Can they work together and trust each other, or will things go from bad to worse?

BUY LINKS:

EXCERPT:
As we watch the boys, the wind picks up, making the fern lay flat, exposing us. We gasp and make a dash for the closest tree. Behind it, we huddle together.

“Boogles! A branch just hit me,” Weedy says.

The sky turns black. Wind swirls dust and leaves, and spits pebbles at us. This is not good. We have to get going now or else our payback will get blown away.

“Let’s go!” I scream and lead the group from behind the tree, but the wind makes it hard for us to move forward.

Rose and Lilly grab hands as they run, screaming, toward the creek. Lacey stumbles over a fallen twig, landing flat and hitting her face hard on the ground. When she doesn’t move, I race to her as sand and pine needles prick my skin.

I help Lacey to her feet. Luckily, she only has a few cuts on her face. A tiny bit of blood streaks down her forehead. She looks at me. Fear is bright in her eyes. She needs help. We all need help. I peer toward the creek. The boys are still there, frantically trying to lift the bag full of stones.

Shouting a warning and waving my arms, I hurry to the creek, trying to get their attention. Finally, Dusty sees me. He looks as if he’s been caught with his hand in the pixie jar.

I point to the sky and wave them to come our way. Rain starts to fall. Dusty pulls Moss from the creek. Fat drops of water pelt my head and wings as I wait for the boys to reach me.

“It must be a twisty!” Dusty screams. “We better find shelter.”

GIVEAWAY:
3 Signed Paperback Picture Books –
Pea Soup Disaster, Doctor Mom, The Missing Alphabet



Eligibility: International
Number of Winners: One
Giveaway Ends: July 1, 2020 12:00am Eastern Standard Time
LINK: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/76132e0220/?


a Rafflecopter giveaway


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Elaine Kaye is the author of A Gregory Green Adventure series. She first created Gregory Green after her son, who loved her homemade pea soup, thus inspiring the story Pea Soup DisasterBad Fairy is her middle grade debut and the first of A Bad Fairy Adventure series.
Kaye has worked as a library assistant and teacher’s assistant in elementary schools in the Sunshine State. She currently lives in Florida, but she has called Michigan; Honolulu, Hawaii; and Okinawa, Japan home. She is a grandmother of three boys.



Thank you Elaine! 

Congratulations!

Readers, have you ever seen a fairy?


8 comments:

Elephant's Child said...

I hope there ARE fairies at the bottom of my garden. I know there are Naked Ladies (amaryllus) but I still hope for faires too.
I have loved seeing Elaine's work featured across the blogosphere - and struggle with rules myself some days.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Dreams do come true! Glad you are in a position to pursue yours now.

Natalie Aguirre said...

That's great that Elaine is following her dreams in retirement. Congrats on her new book.

Elaine Kaye said...

Hi, Yolanda. Thank you for having me on your blog for an interview. I appreciate your support!

Elaine Kaye said...

Fairies are everywhere. :)

Elaine Kaye said...

Thank you, Alex!

Elaine Kaye said...

Thank you, Natalie!

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Yolanda and Elaine - it sounds like a fun story ... and wouldn't we all like a beloved fairy at the bottom of our gardens. And Elaine ... I'll be running with you from the snakes ... they found a python released onto the seafront recently ... but I admire them in their evolution ... recently discussed in a programme over here. Sorry - now you'll be dreaming a Sci-Fi Fairy storie?? ... take care - Hilary