Every Book Holds a Surprise: An Interview with Emily Windsnap Author Liz Kessler
Fans of the magical Emily Windsnap series are in for a tropical treat—the latest book takes our favorite mermaid on a whole new adventure on a forgotten island on the other side of a waterfall! We got to talk to author Liz Kessler about how she’s just like her character Emily, and the real-life trip that inspired this page-turning read.
We’re so excited that there’s a new Emily Windsnap book! What inspired the story for Emily Windsnap and the Falls of Forgotten Island?
I was on a North America book tour in the fall of 2015. I had a free day before doing events in Toronto and I took a bus trip to Niagara Falls. I was completely blown away by them. I’d never seen anything so beautiful and majestic in my life. I was completely enthralled, and I instantly knew that that was where Emily wanted to go next!
Do you learn more about this character as you go along in the series? Has anything surprised you about Emily?
Yes! I really do learn more about her as the series progresses. One of the top things I have learned over the years is how similar she is to me. I’m not nearly as daring as Emily is! But I care about the same things: being true to yourself; standing up for what you believe in; caring deeply for your friends, family and loved ones; social justice. With every single book, I focus purely on the story as I’m writing it. But every single time the book is finished, I realize that Emily has—once again—given a voice to things that matter to me on a very deep level. It shouldn’t surprise me that this happens by now, but it still does!
In your author’s note you end with the line: Practice random kindness and senseless acts of beauty. I love that and think it couldn’t be more apt now. Why did you want to include this?
Because of exactly what you say here: that it couldn’t be more apt now. There are some terrible things happening in the world around us, and we hear of them on the news a lot. What we don’t hear about so often are the small moments of kindness that take place every day. Sometimes, I feel stifled by the bad things in the world and overwhelmed by the sense that I can’t change them. Then I remember that what I can do is make small differences to the lives of people around me. These small moments can build into bigger feelings of optimism, happiness and connection if they spread outwards from our small circles to the communities we are part of. It feels like an idea that is very much in tune with Emily—and particularly with this book, which is so much about communities overcoming suspicion and distrust and learning to work together.
I know so many young readers who dream of turning into mermaids! What do you think the coolest part of being a mermaid would be? Why do you like to write about this magical world?
The coolest part of being a mermaid would be the ability to find out more about the mysteries of the sea. One of the biggest things that draws me to write about mermaids is that fact that the ocean is such a huge part of our planet, and yet we know so little about it. Mermaids, for me, represent the possibilities that exist out there and the fact that beyond the line of what we decide is real and rational, there could be all sorts of magical and wonderful things!
What’s up next for you and Emily? More adventures we hope!
I’m very excited to confirm that YES there will be more adventures with Emily. I can’t tell you too much at this stage as it’s top secret for now, but watch this space and I’ll tell you more as soon as I’m allowed to!
Thank you for having me on your blog, and please can I take this opportunity to say a HUGE thank you to Barnes & Noble and to your readers for all the love and support you’ve given me and Emily over the years.
Swishy wishes!
Liz x