I met Nikki Magennis (if memory serves, and memory doesn't always serve, sometimes it dominates), through Lust Bites. I know her to be a generous, friendly (if virtual) host with a wicked work ethic. But more important, I know her to be one of those writers you want to follow down back alleys and force to make speak to you. Ooops. Did I say that out loud? Nikki is the one I go to for the pieces of art that start many of my collections. Her 100 word flashes last—like the echoes of fireworks flickering in a night sky. (Except if she said that, she'd say it so much more poetically!)
For Alison's Wonderland, Nikki literally kicked off the book with The Red Shoes (Redux). You can read a piece of the story up on the Alison's Wonderland page on Amazon (scroll down a bit). Here she answers my randy queries:
1) Which fairy tale character would you most like to do and why?
By 'do', I presume you mean ravage licentiously? Okay. The little mermaid. She may be half fish, but she is wholly hot.
2) If your fairy godmother or fairy godfather (I'm an equal opportunity fairy employer) waved a magic wand over your head and granted you three wishes, what would you be wearing during your wishing?
A dusty pink silk dress torn at the hem, wellington boots, and ropes and ropes of pearls.
3) What would you wish for?
A clever tongue.
4) Do you own fairy wings? A little red riding hood? Glass slippers? If yes, please describe. Or send photos!
Everybody has at least one pair of red shoes, surely? Here are my latest most favourites – shiny, cherry red glossy patent leather. Lickable. Like lollipops.
5) What question would you most like to ask another author in the line-up?
Elspeth Potter .... where can I read more of your 100 word stories?
6) What would you like to tell readers about your story in Alison's Wonderland?
This is my revenge on Hans Christian Anderson, who took a fabulous old folk story and made it into a miserable morality tale. (The best bit about growing up is that you get to write your own fairy-tale endings.)
7) What fairy tale would you love to tackle in the future?
The one about swans and the nettle shirts. I'm thinking eleven men that aren't the seamstresses brothers, and perhaps a little light nettle flogging.
Once upon a time, there was a writer who lived in Scotland and dreamed her way through the world. She called herself Nikki Magennis, and she wrote lots of stories and painted some pictures and lived in an ivory tower, although only a metaphorical one. You can peek into her world at htp://www.nikkimagennis.blogspot.com, and find her books at Amazon. Comment for a chance to win a killer pair of shoes!
XXX,
Alison
