Author Interview: N.D. Wilson

N.D. Wilson is the author of Leepike Ridge (see my review here) and an upcoming fantasy trilogy. I used to go to the same church as him so it was great to be able to talk with him!
Please check out his website at: www.ndwilson.com

You have young children, how do you build a sense of curiosity, exploration and adventure in them?

The most important thing is to have a sense of curiosity, exploration and adventure yourself. If you don't, then why would they? If you do, then you don't need to worry much about whether they will. Just bring them along with you. We do a lot of reading, a lot of story-telling, and a lot of insect/frog/turtle hunting. We also have wars with yellow jackets and hornets. The rule for my son is that he can mess with them (with hose or plastic cup) as long as he doesn't scream when he gets stung.

How does Leepike Ridge differ from other literature for young people?

This is hard for me to answer. I'm hardly objective about Leepike, and there's a fair amount out there that I like. Any comparison from me wouldn't be accurate. A third party would be better for that.

Did you like to play with refrigerator (or other large) boxes when you were little?

Sure (but not 'store' or 'school'). Actually, in third grade, a friend of mine found a huge chunk of Styrofoam in a creek. I was over at his house before a baseball game (we were both in uniform), and we decided to float the creek. Big surprise, it got bigger and faster and we sank. I vividly remember going down and watching my friend leap for a rock, wrap his arms around it, and slide right under the surface. Then I jumped for the bank and dragged myself out with two fistfuls of thistles. The walk back to his house was long and squishy.

What was the first thing you did once you found out Leepike Ridge was going to be published by Random House?

You know, I think I was out to dinner with my lovely wife when my agent called. So the first thing I probably did was finish my hamburger. We were already drinking wine. It's all pretty blurry. We probably sat on the porch swing later and said profound things like "wow" and "fun." I'm sure I kissed her and she probably kissed me.
5. Can you tell me about your current projects?Leepike is out right now, but I begin a fantasy series in December. 100 Cupboards kicks that off and it's completely finished. I'm currently working toward a second draft of its sequel (Dandelion Fire). The fantasies have been a blast for me thus far. Hopefully, readers will feel the same.

Which character do you identify with most?

I have to identify with them all in order to write them, but afterward, I identify with Tom and Reg and Argus the dog. And Elizabeth. And Ted. And even Old Nestor. So I guess that's all of them again (excluding Jeffrey and villains).

What would your advice be for young aspiring writers?

My advice isn't really original. Every writer gives the same advice, but that's because it's true. My advice to aspiring writers is: write. Don't be afraid of doing it badly. That has to come first. Just sit down and start writing as consistently as you can. Then find what you dislike and try to correct it. And do it again. And again.

If you could meet any person in the world, who would it be?

Huh. That's a bit hard. Living or dead? I'll do both. Of all the dead folk, I would most like to meet . . . probably Moses (assuming a translator was available). Of the living, I'd have to say King Arthur.


Thanks a million, Mr. Wilson!