AUTHOR INTERVIEW

“Needles, the Forgotten Christmas Tree” by Richard Wagner

1.       I understand that this is your first book?

          Yes, it is. I have wanted to write this story for almost 50 years, and finally I found the time to sit down and make it happen.

2.       50 years?  Gee!  So what was the inspiration?

          A small tree that was delivered to our home but never used. A business friend of my dad’s graciously gave us a tree after we had already bought and decorated another tree.  We couldn’t find a home for the small tree, so it forlornly sat outside during the entire holidays, alone and forgotten. I never forgot that little tree, and this book is a testament to that little guy and what might have been.

3.       You have lessons for children throughout the story.  How did that develop?

          It was important to me that the story include some life lessons. Those lessons developed as I wrote the story. I was able to identify and capitalize on them, meaning to make them obvious. For example, Needles keeps trying to look tall and strong. To do this, he must be determined to persevere, to never give up. That’s a huge life lesson learned through experience. Many people learn it through sports. Whatever the case, it is a concept that needs to be taught at an early age, and then reinforced. Life is hard.

4.       What was the most surprising aspect of being an author you experienced?

          Frankly, finding a good illustrator. I didn’t know it would be so hard. I had over twenty illustrators do test drawings before I settled on Sydni Kruger. Every one of them drew differently.  It was amazing, yet frustrating, as I had distinct ideas on what I wanted.

5.       Are you happy with the drawings and layout of the book?

          Yes.  I think the illustrations capture the essence of the story in a somewhat elegant fashion. I did not want a cartoon-type book. I wanted Needles to be a real tree, and the characters to look normal. I also wanted rich colors.

6.       Are you planning to write other books?

          I would like to. A sequel to Needles might be fun, and I would love to write something that teaches history in a thoughtful yet interesting way.

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