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This post is in partnership with The Children’s Book Review and Kirthana J. Fanning. All opinions are my own.
Book Information
The Girl and Her Noble Steed
Written by Kirthana J. Fanning Illustrated by Travis J. Hill Age Range: 8+ | 100 Pages Publisher: Kirthana J. Fanning LLC (2023) | ISBN-13: 9798988194125 Publisher’s Book Summary: Embark on a remarkable journey with an orphan girl determined to conquer a thrilling race. Overcoming obstacles with the power of prayer, she’s joined by a cantankerous farmer and his singing, dancing miniature donkey. Together, they defy the odds, showcasing the strength of faith, courage, and friendship. Prepare yourself for an unforgettable adventure that will leave you inspired and wanting more in… ‘The Girl and Her Noble Steed’, the first book in this series. A tale of resilience, hope, triumph, and answered prayers. Author Interview
I am excited to share my interview with Kirthana J. Fanning. She is a children’s book author who is passionate about empowering young readers with God’s word and inspiring them to live boldly in Christ. Her stories are full of adventure and lessons that will help young minds grow and flourish. She believes that sharing God’s love and miracles through her writing will leave an indelible mark on the world, one heart at a time. With two decades of experience as a television producer and writer in Southeast Asia, Kirthana uses her expertise to craft stories that will help young people navigate through life’s challenges with faith and grace. When she’s not writing, Kirthana volunteers as a remote youth fellowship leader and lives in Massachusetts with her husband and two huskies.
For more information, visit https://www.kirthanajfanning.com.
Where did you get the inspiration for The Girl and Her Noble Steed?
The inspiration for "The Girl and Her Noble Steed," came from the profound bond of sisterhood, the affection of a special Goddaughter, and the indelible imprints of my own childhood and life, where God’s unwavering hand served as my guiding light. My love for animals has also left a mark on my storytelling. Through this novel, my mission is clear: I want children to discover that they are overcomers and that no dream is impossible for those who believe. What was your writing process like for this book? I began working on "The Girl and Her Noble Steed" in the summer of 2016 while simultaneously working on another book project. Initially, it took the form of a 564-word picture book. Over the years, I went through three different versions of the book. Finally, in July 2023, I completed the chapter book, which is now available on the market. To my surprise, I managed to finish the entire book, from creating the characters to having a complete manuscript, within a single month. My writing process is character-driven, with a focus on the main character, Ofe. I call it the "flower process." It starts with deciding what kind of flower I want to grow, which in this case represents my main character. Everything else in the story revolves around this central character. The process unfolds as follows: 1. Planting the Seed: Generating the Initial Idea 2. Nurturing: building the world, surrounding characters, and scenes 3. Patience: developing the journey within the scenes, ensuring that every chapter has a clear beginning, middle, and end. 4. Blossoming: Deciding on the illustrations I want and finally having the manuscript edited I consider myself incredibly fortunate to have an illustrator named Travis J. Hill, who played a crucial role in bringing my vision to life. The first version of the book featured 25–30 illustrations, and only a couple of them were used in the final version. Travis skillfully reworked and created new illustrations in just three weeks. What truly amazed me was how quickly the scenes for the chapter book flowed in my mind once I realized it needed to be a chapter book. I completed these scenes within 24 hours, even though I didn't have a completed synopsis or outline beforehand. My writing style is organic, so while I had a general idea of where the story was going and what I wanted it to convey, much of it developed as I wrote, and so did the playful and quirky language. Once I had the completed manuscript, I sent it to my editor, and we engaged in three rounds of revisions. What is your favorite part about writing books for kids? The act of constructing the story itself is my favorite element of writing books for children. I enjoy creating strange worlds and bringing various characters, both human and animal, within those pages. Seeing these things come to life in a child's mind is a magical experience. What truly motivates me is the ability to interact with young readers and create stories that raise their confidence and instill in them the belief that they have what it takes to conquer the world. What are you working on now? Promoting The Girl and Her Noble Steed and developing the idea for its sequel. What is your favorite book? I have many favorites, but my ultimate dream is to craft a story that can capture the essence of classics like C.S. Lewis' "The Chronicles of Narnia" and John Bunyan's "The Pilgrim's Progress." Giveaway
Enter for the chance to win a The Girl and Her Noble Steed swag gift pack, including a signed hardcover copy, bookmark, keychain, themed activity sheets, glitter sticker, and choice of a bowl/bracelet or bag, and a 10 min virtual conversation with the author!
One Grand Prize Winner Receives: The Girl and Her Noble Steed Swag Gift Pack, Including: -One (1) Signed Hardcover Copy of The Girl and Her Noble Steed -One (1) Bookmark -One (1) Keychain -Themed Activity Sheet -One (1) Glitter Sticker -Choice of One (1) Bowl/Bracelet or Bag -One (1) 10-minute Virtual Conversation with the Author Two Winners Receive: -One (1) Digitally signed Ebook Copy of The Girl and Her Noble Steed -One (1) Digital Bookmark Two Winners Receive: -One (1) Signed Paperback Copy of The Girl and Her Noble Steed -One (1) Bookmarks One Winner Receives: -One (1) Signed Hardcover Copy of The Girl and Her Noble Steed Comments are closed.
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