Today, Feathered Quill reviewer Alma Boucher is talking with Eliza Kelley and Debra Whiting Alexander, authors of Eliza Jane Finds Her Dog Squad.

FQ: What inspired the Eliza Jane Series, and how did the idea first take shape?

ELIZA: I inspired the idea when I was younger. I have Tourette’s and created the superhero, Tinklelocks, in pretend play with my grandma (“Nanny”). Since Nanny has written a lot of books already, I suggested she and I write a story about a girl superhero with Tourette’s. At the same time my teacher, Ms. Rosales, gave me an assignment to write a story with pictures. So I wrote about Tinklelocks (Eliza Jane's secret superhero). Ms. Rosales surprised me at the end of the year and made it into a book! That inspired Nanny and I to publish a real one. I surprised Ms. Rosales with a published copy of our first book a couple years later.

FQ: Young readers can relate to Eliza Jane’s character. What qualities were important for you to capture in her?

ELIZA AND DEBRA: We both agreed Eliza Jane should be funny like a real kid, a little quirky, adventurous, strong, brave and not-so brave sometimes, and a good friend to everyone. 

FQ: How did the collaboration between you both work during the writing process?

ELIZA AND DEBRA: We did most of our best work and brainstorming during our weekend sleepovers. It was not unusual for us to stay up until 2 AM talking through our story ideas, creating all the characters and scene ideas. Then, Nanny (Debra) wrote the rough drafts and Eliza weighed in on them and added more ideas. During the months of writing, we both had moments all through the day when we were in the car, or the shower, or on walks and we had to quickly find paper and a pen to jot down a new idea or something we wanted Archie to say in the story!

FQ: Why was it important to discuss the anxiety surrounding new school-year transitions?

ELIZA: Because it’s true for kids and was important to the story.

DEBRA: Anxiety is such a natural feeling and reaction for most, if not all children to experience at one time or another. It’s especially true at the start of a new school year.  We knew our readers would likely relate to that.

FQ: Were any parts of the book inspired by real-life experiences with children or pets?

DEBRA: Yes! For example, Eliza has Tourette’s and was able to write about the real ways she experiences tics and actual ways she copes with her condition. She has also enjoyed riding a blind horse who inspired the horse named "Popcorn" in our story. Just like the character Eliza Jane, Eliza’s tics disappeared as soon as she climbed into his saddle. Finally, Archie is based on Eliza’s real companion animal who has been a source of comfort since she was diagnosed with Tourette’s. In real life, Archie was always able to calm her tics, reduce stress, and help her sleep.

FQ: How do you balance the life lessons with fun and engaging storytelling for the younger reader?

ELIZA: We just told the truth.

DEBRA: We did. Making mistakes is a part of life and learning. We showed that even when we have challenges and hard things to deal with, life can still be fun. There can be happiness and fun times even in the midst of regrets, sadness, or grief. Life gives us both.

FQ: What lesson do you hope children take away after finishing the book?

ELIZA: Be your true self.

DEBRA: And be kind and accepting to everyone. We are all unique and different in so many ways.

FQ: What kind of adventure can we expect next for Eliza Jane and Archie in the future?

ELIZA AND DEBRA: Not only is an exciting adventure involving travel on the way, but some big changes are also in store!  We have started our third book in the series so stay tuned!

FQ: What was the most rewarding feedback you have received?

ELIZA: That my friends loved it. And children from fifteen different schools in the United Kingdom voted and gave our first book a winning medal. They said reading it had helped them understand Tourette syndrome which they didn’t know about before.

DEBRA: Hearing from readers that our story inspired them, made them laugh and sometimes cry.  Best of all, they told us they now better understand this medical condition that’s more common than most people realize. Our mission is accomplished but we're not done yet.

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