Amy Fellner Dominy is the author of the new middle grade novel Monster Down Deep. Her other books include A House with No Door. She lives in Phoenix, Arizona.
Q: What inspired you to write Monster Down Deep, and how did you create your characters Cassie, TJ, and Blue?
A: The idea came to life after I saw a news story about a 5,000-mile patch of seaweed off the Florida coast. The image of all that seaweed was so startling, it got me thinking. What if something was trapped in all of that goo? Or growing in it? Or hiding in it?
I visited an aquarium soon after and saw a Blue Wrasse—a type of fish with knowing eyes who seemed to watch me as I watched it. That fish was the inspiration for Blue.
Cassie was a different story. I was dealing with a new anxiety over hiking—something I’d been doing for years. I was embarrassed, even with my friends. I thought about how often we tell kids to face their fears and conquer them. But what if it’s not that easy? Cassie’s fear of the ocean was born from my own struggle.
And TJ? He’s one of those magical characters who just appeared on the page as if he belonged—and he absolutely did!
Q: The author Lynne Kelly called the book a “memorable and compelling adventure about facing long-buried fears while standing up to protect an unusual creature...” What do you think of that description?
A: I wish I had written it myself. Lynne captured Cassie’s struggle to hide her fears rather than accept herself. It took another creature in danger, Blue, to give Cassie the courage to stand up for Blue and then for herself.
Q: Did you know how the novel would end before you started writing it, or did you make many changes along the way?
A: I never know how a story will end before I write it. Somewhere about halfway through, I start outlining and plotting more carefully. I knew the direction I wanted the story to go, but how to get there changed more than a few times.
Q: What do you hope readers take away from the story?
A: I hope Cassie’s journey to self-acceptance will resonate for kids who are dealing with their own fears or trying to be who others what them to be.
I also hope readers will come away feeling empowered that they can make a difference in their worlds—no matter what it is they’re passionate about. Just in the world of ocean conservation, kids are putting their huge hearts to good use in clean-up and recycling projects. It inspired me to see that and shine a light on it.
Q: What are you working on now?
A: Just this week I saw another news story that grabbed my attention—and my imagination. Too soon to say, but I hope it will be my next middle grade.
In the meantime, I have a new picture book coming on August 4 that celebrates nature and the Jewish holiday of Sukkot. It’s called A House with No Door, and I’m excited for that one, too.
Q: Anything else we should know?
A: I love to do school visits and I’m going to be offering free virtual visits in the fall in honor of Monster Down Deep. I’d love for educators to reach out and let’s see if we can arrange a visit to their class or school. amy@amydominy.com.
I also send out a newsletter once a month with the inside scoop about the publishing world and life lessons it’s taught me, as well as giveaways and offers. Sign up at my website www.amydominy.com/newsletter or click on the QR code:
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Thank you so much for hosting me!
--Interview with Deborah Kalb
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