Rhonda Hayter casts a Witchy spell

The next full moon is May 27th and there is already a whimsical sense of magic in the air. Rhonda Hayter's recently released book The Witchy Worries of Abbie Adams (Dial Books) is already casting its spell over readers of all ages. 

Being the curious person I am, I asked if she would share some fanciful tidbits from her Book of Shadows.

Can you talk to me about any research that you may have done for the book? Did you need to do a lot of reading up on your witch and werewolf mythologies?

Rhonda Hayter: Well I might have gotten kinda lazy on my witch and werewolf mythology... I just made it all up. But you’ll be happy to hear that I redeemed myself by researching Thomas Edison very diligently, with extra focus on his childhood. And when it came time to give my 13-year old Thomas Edison a voice, I turned to Mark Twain, to find idioms that were contemporaneous with Edison’s time as a boy. 

I'm a monster fan and I love that you have Abbie's younger brother Munch turning into a lycanthrope. Were you influenced by scary stories or movies growing up? If so what were some of your favorite tales?

RH: Did you ever see Children of the Damned?

Let me interject here for a second, Rhonda. Yes I did see it and I was afraid of blond kids for weeks. Okay, please continue...

RH: I had to have the lights on for a week after that one. And I grew up with the Christopher Lee Dracula, who was all elegant and refined and very attractive, I thought. But Abbie’s little brother turning into a werewolf was really influenced by an observation I made myself one day, when my generally cherubic, sweet-natured six-year old son had a screaming, ranting tantrum that was just like seeing him morph into a werewolf.

(Christopher Lee is rather dashing below. Although someone should have told him about the ketchup dribbling down his chin)

I love that you bring historical figures into such a fun story. When I read that Abbie's cat was an enchanted 13-year old Thomas Edison I flipped out (in a good way of course) and was chomping at the bit to read the story. I've read that Abbie 2 and 3 will have some historical figures in the storylines. This is one of my favorite ways of telling a story.

What brought about the idea of making the cat Thomas Edison?

RH: I laughed out loud when I read this question, because the answer is, I have absolutely no idea. Whatever chain of thought I had that led to it, is completely lost to me now. I do remember having painted myself into a terrible corner with a couple of sub-plots and having to sit down and brainstorm ideas that could get me some forward motion again. I think the idea might have come to me then.

What historical figures will you bring into the next books?

RH: I’m in revisions with Book 2 and I’ve got a good jump on Book 3, so I can tell you. Abbie and her best friend Callie will go back in time to see Harriet Tubman conduct her passengers to freedom in Book 2. And in Book 3, Susan B. Anthony will come into our time and start kicking rear ends and taking names.

Are you a history buff? What is the fascination with historical figures and why is it important to you to have them be a part of your stories?

RH: I’m not really so much a history buff I guess, as I am a biography buff. I love reading about the lives of interesting people and it’s been so much fun bringing them back to life, to walk and talk again in my books.

I'm a 12-year old boy (well, not really, maybe in my mind and spirit!) and I am looking for a great fun book to read, why should I read your book? What's in it for me? (I'm standing there in the store, arms crossed, looking at the adorable cover).

RH: Well, as much as I love the cover of my book, which really catches the tone and fun of it I think, I fear that boys may be put off by it, because it’s got a girl on it. Boys can be a little snobby that way, I’m grieved to report. I wish they wouldn’t be though, because there are some great male characters in the book and some pretty good climactic action too, if I do say so myself. My youngest boy, the one Munch is based on, is after me to write a series from Munch’s point of view. He thinks boys might be more inclined to read something like that.

If you could have dinner with a historical figure who would it be and why?

RH: Well if I could only pick one, from all the research I’m doing, I would just love for it to be Susan B. Anthony. Because she was very sly and wickedly funny too on top of being brilliant, brave, and indefatigable. I would love getting the dish on what she really thought of the people who opposed her back then.

Last question - everyone talks a lot about the writing process, getting an agent, and all that good stuff. I want to know what you did as a writer to prepare for the launch of the book?

RH: Absolutely the best thing I did was join the Classof2K10. It’s a group of YA and Middle-Grade authors who are all debuting in 2010. If it hadn’t been for the writers in the group, and for being mentored by a member of the Class of 2k09, I wouldn’t have had the first idea of how to help with the promotion of my book, gain web presence, or network and it’s been lovely having people to share all the ups and downs of new publication. I liken it to my pregnancy yoga class... it’s such a unique and magical time in people’s lives, and the fellowship of people going through the same thing, is a great gift. Joining something like that would really be my most urgent advice to anyone with a first book coming out.

I certainly hope that I can be a member of that class in the near future. Maybe Rhonda can share some of the magic with me. If you haven't had the opportunity to read about Abbie, go check it out and beware of the moon, stick to the road, and stay clear of the moors. Rhonda, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy schedule to be with us today. I am looking forward to more Abbie adventures.

RH: Thanks for having me.

Anytime! You are now an inmate at the Asylum.