Q&A with Natasha Deen

 

 

 

Natasha Deen is the author of the new middle grade novel A Summer of Dragonflies. Her other books include In the Key of Nira Ghani. She lives in Edmonton, Alberta.

 

Q: What inspired you to write A Summer of Dragonflies, and how did you create your character Guppie?

 

A: When I visit schools, I share stories about growing up and some of those stories include my family’s road trips. Afterwards, I’d have students coming up to me and asking, “Did you make a book about your stories?”

 

So, I wrote A Summer of Dragonflies to honour their requests!

 

It was a lot of fun putting the humour into Guppie’s story and weaving in the elements of magical realism. I really wanted Guppie to embody the kid experience of trying to make friends, wanting the adults in their lives to see them as grown-up, and trying to be brave even when they’re scared.

 

The use of the dragonflies when Guppie is about to do something new and exciting along with the dragon that immediately appears helps give a visual to the feeling a lot of kids (and adults!) have, that doing something new can feel exciting and terrifying at the same time!

 

Q: The Kirkus Review of the book says, “An entertaining take on the hero’s journey, with well-developed characters on a road trip to remember.” What do you think of that description?

 

A: I’m so delighted that Kirkus chose to review A Summer of Dragonflies and thrilled the reader enjoyed it!

 

One of the best things about books is that we bring ourselves to the pages. That means even if we read the same book, we never read the same story because we bring ourselves into it and that’s so wonderful, both as a reader and a writer.

 

Q: What are some of your other favorite road trip novels?

 

A: Hahaha, too many to name!!

 

When it comes to novels and reading, I always tell folks, read the first five pages. If you like it, keep reading. If you don’t, then set it done—it’s okay if a book isn’t for you. There are so many amazing stories out there, the one you will love is waiting for you. Go find it!

 

Q: What do you hope readers take away from the book?

 

A: Whenever I write a story, I imagine it as a playground. There are swings and slides, ropes and tunnels. My job is to build a solid playground, but it’s up to my readers to decide where they want to play. In other words, I hope readers take from the book what they’d like to take from the book.

 

Q: What are you working on now?

 

A: I’m juggling an early reader and a YA novel, right now.

 

Q: Anything else we should know?

 

A: Thanks so much for spending time with me, both with this blog and my books!

 

--Interview with Deborah Kalb. Here's a previous Q&A with Natasha Deen.