With the recent popularity of Wicked, everything Oz is new again. A Scrivenings Press author has released a book that gives fresh insights into the author of the original Wizard of Oz stories.
The movie version of the Wizard of Oz provides lessons about character development and other elements of writing a great story. Today, we can hear about a fascinating book that might give new insight into L. Frank Baum, the author of the original book The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.
Today, we talk to Laura Denooyer, author of A Hundred Magical Reasons, a story that takes place in 1918 and 1980, focusing on how Mr. Baum’s life affected the lives of two unrelated women.
Let’s hear directly from Laura,
Jenny: “Hi, Laura. Thanks for coming by. Before we talk about your book, tell us about your favorite authors. What have you learned from them?”
Laura: “I have many favorites, including Erin Bartels and Patti Callahan Henry. Sometimes I wish I could just read a story and enjoy it without analyzing it as a writer, but that’s where I learn the most—by reading, asking questions, and discerning. How is the author making me care for these characters? How is the author keeping tensions high, raising the stakes? How does she end her chapters and transition to new ones? How does she incorporate setting details or include foreshadowing? And many more.”
Jenny: “Doesn’t it make you feel good to be called an author, just like they are? When did you feel you had really ‘arrived’ ?”
Laura: “There are many landmarks and stepping stones along the writing and publishing path, but the most meaningful one for me is getting feedback from readers. Whenever a reader takes time to reach out and tell me how my story has impacted her in some way, I feel like I’ve accomplished one of my key purposes as an author. I have used my storytelling voice to touch someone at the heart level. That’s a huge reward.”
Jenny: “So, let’s talk about A Hundred Magical Reasons. What was the inspiration for this story? Did anything happen in your life to inspire any part of this book?”
Laura: “Two things inspired this story: 1) reading a biography about L. Frank Baum, author of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (1900), and 2) learning that he and his family summered at the same lake where our family vacations yearly near Holland, Michigan. Though we were at opposite ends of Lake Macatawa—and opposite ends of the century—I felt a connection. Thus, I chose to focus my novel on the summers he spent at Macatawa.
Baum was an innovative, larger-than-life personality—which is no surprise, given that he created the Land of Oz. He was also a family man with a keen understanding of children and a high regard for women. (His mother-in-law was a suffragist!)
My story spotlights a young girl, Janie, whose pious parents have no use for fun, frivolity, fairies, fantasy, or fiction. Then Janie meets L. Frank Baum.”
Jenny: “This sounds like a multi-layered story. Fascinating. What is the most interesting thing you learned while researching this book?”
Laura: “One fun fact that most people don’t know is that L. Frank Baum should be credited with the earliest documented original film score back in 1908-1914. In Hollywood’s early days, Baum dabbled in film and even created the very first scene of Dorothy stepping from black and white into color—thirty years before the MGM Wizard of Oz movie brought us technicolor. Baum also wanted to be done with Oz long before his readers did. He couldn’t escape it, and ended up writing 14 Oz books.
But my research involved more than knowing the facts and events of Baum’s life. This was about creating his essence on the page so readers would experience what it was like to sit on the porch and drink lemonade with him. So I relished learning anecdotes about his interactions with his family. He was a master of puns and just for fun, would entice his boys to laugh at his jokes by offering a dime to the biggest laugher.”
Jenny: “I’m not surprised Baum was clever. He certainly seemed to have an unlimited imagination. What is the major takeaway you would like your readers to get from A Hundred Magical Reasons?”
Laura: “Baum’s stories are all about stirring the child’s imagination, and that’s a key element of my novel. I firmly believe that since we’re all made in the Creator’s image, everybody is creative in his own way. I hope this story inspires readers to use their own imaginations.
Other themes are woven in too, such as learning to be yourself when others try to keep you in a box. A Hundred Magical Reasons would make a great book club book. I hope the story raises questions and encourages pondering.”
Jenny: Just for fun- tell us about your favorites:
Day of the week? Why? It depends on the week and what I have planned. I like an open calendar so I can fill it with my own tasks and goals. But I also need the balance of seeing people and being involved with their lives.
Hot Beverage? Tea, especially fruity herbal teas or Good Earth Sweet & Spicy.
Holiday? Thanksgiving—because we get to eat well without all the hoopla and expectations of Christmas and decorating and presents.
Genre other than the one you normally write? I’ve published historical fiction so far but I have some contemporary women’s fiction in the works.
Jenny: “Do you have any parting words for our readers?”
Laura: ” For 7 free recipes inspired by my novel, plus anecdotes, giveaways, book reviews, and tips, I invite you to subscribe to my monthly Standout Stories newsletter: A-Taste-Of-Oz-Cookbook-Sampler.com.”
Thanks, Laura for coming to tell us about this terrific new book.
Most fairy tales have happy endings, but is it too late for this one? After all, Mrs. Charlotte Rose Gordon is eighty-eight.
This disgruntled town recluse has grown weary of fighting the dragons of her past—including the desire to clear her husband’s name of a 1918 crime.
Dragons of a different kind pursue Carrie Kruisselbrink.
In 1980, during the summer of her private rebellion, Carrie defies parental expectations and pursues her café dream. While waiting for funding, she takes a job with Mrs. Gordon.
As Mrs. Gordon unfolds the story of her oppressive childhood and delightful friendship with The Wonderful Wizard of Oz author, L. Frank Baum, Carrie never expects to encounter her own fears and soul-searching.
In this modern-day fairy tale that weaves between 1980 and the early 1900s, Mr. Baum’s influence impacts each woman’s personal quests on a hero’s journey neither anticipates. Can Carrie and Mrs. Gordon find common ground in battling their respective dragons?
Laura DeNooyer thrives on creativity and encouraging it in others. A Calvin College graduate, she is a teacher, wife, parent of four adult children, and an award-winning author of heart-warming historical and contemporary fiction. Her novels are perfect for fans of Patti Callahan Henry, Erin Bartels, or Heidi Chiavaroli. When she’s not writing, you’ll find her reading, walking, drinking tea with friends, or taking a road trip.
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LINKS
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Book Trailer: https://coldtype.org/100reasons.mp4
Thank you so much for hosting me, Jenny!