Interview With Author Angela Orams
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have written other children’s books, and I also have a background in nursing. Sneaky Sophie & The Token Fairy is about a little girl named Sophie who discovers that whenever she loses a tooth, she gets a token (a coin) from the Token Fairy. The problem is, she’s only lost one tooth but she wants more tokens. Sophie mischievously devises a plan to get more tokens.
The book comes in a kit with a bag and tokens. One type of token is for giving to a child whenever they’ve lost a tooth. The other token is given to a child when they’ve done something thoughtful for someone else.
I think my wanting people to do good stems from my nursing background. The world seems so big, but any two people from different parts of the world can share the same feelings and respond in similar ways. I think that Sophie’s characteristics can be seen in children from all over the world. Although I have written books for children, I have also written for other age groups.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
What inspired Sneaky Sophie & The Token Fairy was my fascination with the concept of the tooth fairy. I liked the idea of getting money after losing a tooth. Although my Nigerian parents were loving and nurturing, we didn’t have a “tooth fairy.” Many times I would leave a tooth under the pillow before going to bed, and then wake up the next morning to see the tooth still there.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I tend to jot story ideas on whatever is nearest me, be it scrap paper, a napkin or a used envelope. When I’m ready to compile my thoughts I’m jumping back and forth between all of these scraps of paper.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
With regards to my inspiration in children’s writing, I would definitely say Dr. Seuss. I love his ability to bend and mold words in a way that keeps the reader engaged in the story.
What are you working on now?
Along with Sneaky Sophie & The Token Fairy, I am also working on other children’s book series, as well as screenplays.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
I think that studying the craft of writing is equally important as getting your thoughts on paper. Keep practicing and never give up.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
That the editing process is more effective when you’ve stepped away from your work for a while (be it a couple of days or a couple of weeks). When you come back to it, you tend to see your work from a new lens. Sometimes the result is “WOW I can’t believe I wrote that!” For others, it’s “wow…I believe I WROTE that.”
What are you reading now?
Right now I am writing so I’m not reading any books.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I will continue to write and create. I have stories that I have been working on for the past couple of years that just now I am able to go back to for development.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron.
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