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Interview

Princess Rachel and Princess Lisa interview author Kevin Franz

Recently, Princess Rachel Vanderstorm and her sister Princess Lisa Vanderstorm took time out of their busy day at Castle Rose to interview author Kevin Franz for the Princess Sisters web site. Below is a transcript of that interview.

Princess Rachel (PR) - Thanks for taking the time to talk to us.

Kevin Franz (KF) - I'm never too busy to talk to a couple of princesses!

PR - I think Lisa would like to get the ball rolling with the first question. Lisa?

Princess Lisa (PL) - Thanks Rachel. Mr. Franz, could you tell us how you started writing?

KF - First of all, call me Kevin. Let's see . . . how did I start writing? Well, I guess I've always been something of a writer. Even back when I was in school I always looked forward to the writing assignments. It's just something that I've been pretty good at for as long as I can remember. So there really wasn't a time when I "started" writing. I just always have.

PR - Where do you get your ideas?

KF - From all sorts of places. Usually, I'll get just a small idea - some sort of image or picture in my head, and from there we go to the "question" stage.

PL - The question stage? What's that?

KF - That's where the real story starts. First I have a picture in my head - a glowing sword by the road, for example. Then the question stage goes like this: Where did the sword come from? Does it have any magic powers? Who owns it? Why is it glowing? Who had it last? Was it stolen or lost? Before you know it, I have a whole story in my head, all based on that first picture.

PL - That sounds easy!

KF - It is! (laughs)

PR - But after you get the story in your head, you still have to write it down. Tell us about that.

KF - Getting the story down on paper is a little harder. It usually takes three or four tries before it starts coming out the way I like. I do a lot of changing as I write, moving things around, getting rid of whole sections, or spending more time describing certain things. Eventually, it starts coming together.

PL - What about the pictures? Your books have great artwork!

PR - Yes, the artwork is beautiful!

KF - You're not just saying that because you're IN the pictures, are you? (laughs).

PR - (shocked) No! That's not what I meant . . .

KF - I know, I'm only kidding. Actually you are right, though - the artwork is beautiful. I've been working with an artist named Marilyn Stigler, who is very talented.

PL - Do you tell her what to draw? Or does she just do it?

KF - Well, it's kind of mixture. I usually have some ideas of what I want, and then she puts in her own thoughts. After a couple of rounds of suggesting and trying things, we end up with something that we both like.

PR - Do you think anyone can write stories?

KF - Sure! At least, I think everyone that wants to should give it a try. All it takes is a good story idea and a little practice.

PL - Do you have any advice to other kids that might want to try writing?

KF - Remember that writing is nothing magical (I'll leave the magic to Elzabeth!). It's really just the same as telling stories, and we've all told stories before. So if you want to try writing, just think of it as a story that you write down. Make sure that you have a beginning, a middle, and an end, and then put the words on paper. Don't worry that it might not be wonderful at first - you can always go back and change things. The most important thing to do is finish that first draft! You can do it!

PR - Well, Lisa and I have to get back to the Castle . . .

PL - (interrupting) No we don't. We can be a little late, can't we?

PR - No, Lisa, we really have to go. Mr. Franz, do you have any last things that you want to say?

KF - Yes, I've got three things. First of all, please call me Kevin. Second, I've really enjoyed talking to you. You girls are pretty good interviewers! And third, for anyone that might be listening to this or reading this interview, let me say this in closing: If you want to write, then write. Don't think about it, don't talk about it, and don't analyze it - just write. I think you'll be amazed at the results.

PR - Thanks Mr. Fra . . . Kevin!

KF - Thank YOU! And be sure to say "hi" to King Jon and Queen Dee for me.

PL - We will!

The End!

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