In a literary world full of zombies and vampires (which of course is a lot of fun), sometimes we want to read a classic, whether it's a traditional fairy tale like Cinderella or a fantasy like James and the Giant Peach. Many people wish there were more authors out there who told stories in these whimsical, creative ways--well there is. And his name is Rolli.
DR. FRANKLIN'S STATICY CAT AND OTHER UNBELIEVABLE TALES is a collection of high-energy, fun short stories for kids published by Knowonder. There's a cat that helps invent static electricity and another that helps invent perfume. There's a tiger with an elevator in its stomach, and an elephant that sucks up the world. Below is a short conversation with the author.
When did you discover you had a “sense of fiction?”
Hmm. I remember crossing out paragraphs and sometimes pages of books and rewriting them, dissatisfied, when I was very young. It was probably somewhere around that time.
Your writing style reminds me of Shel Silverstein. What are some of your favorite children’s authors/books? What types of books do you like to read as an adult?
Well, I like Lewis Carroll, Roald Dahl, L. Frank Baum, Frances Hodgson Burnett, Hans Christian Andersen, all the old fairy tale stuff. I still read those, you know. On the adult side of the coin, Ray Bradbury, Agatha Christie, T.S. Eliot, Dickens, Shakespeare, Hawthorne, Poe. It’s a crowded coin.
What inspired some of these stories, such as “Dr. Franklin’s Staticy Cat” and “Jemma’s Castle”?
It’s a good question, only – I can never remember! I write lots of things. My habit is to drink lots of coffee and write as much as possible. I don’t generally remember where an idea came from. Plus, I’m absent-minded.
How would you describe your writing process? What must you always have while writing?
Well, I drink coffee and write. Therefore, I MUST ALWAYS HAVE COFFEE. That’s really it. Oh – and a soft, velvet cushion.
Do you have a favorite story from this collection? If so, why?
I like “Handsome and Pretzel” because people keep telling me it’s the funniest, and a writer does like to be complimented from time to time. It’s a welcome change, believe me.
Please provide a favorite excerpt from your book.
You can read an excerpt from “Handsome and Pretzel” here.
Where can readers find you and your book?
You can find Dr. Franklin’s Staticy Cat at Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.uk, Barnes & Noble and Chapters/Indigo locations. If it’s an autographed copy you’re after, you’ll have to visit the Rolli Shop.
And me? Well, you can find me wherever coffee is brewing.![]()
Rolli is a writer, illustrator and cartoonist hailing from Canada. He's the author of God's Autobio (short stories), Plum Stuff (poems/drawings), Dr. Franklin's Staticy Cat (children's stories) and four forthcoming titles for adults and children. Visit his website - rollistuff.com - and follow his epic tweets @rolliwrites.
Thank, Rolli! I encourage everyone to check out DR. FRANKLIN'S STATICY CAT. I guarantee you'll find a new favorite story and that you will LAUGH!
--KSR Writer
Cheers, Kelly and Rolli! Kelly, I'm delighted that you featured Rolli. I've been subscribing to his blog www.rolliwrites.com for several years, and it's a treasure! So is he as a person. Rolli, you and I have coffee running in our veins. I prefer French Roast, always shade grown, organic and purchased from cooperative farmers, sweetened with stevia and half and half. You?
ReplyDeleteWell thanks, S! So very kind, as always. I drink whatever coffee I can get my paws on. I sweeten it with xylitol and half and half. If there's no half and half, I take it black. Only barbarians put milk in coffee.
DeleteLooks great! I would love some high energy silly stuff for grown ups too! Though I must admit, I will always dig zombies. Vampires...not so much. :) Thanks for sharing Rolli!
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