Dream big, but have fun writing," is the advice that young author Landon Connor Tsang shares with aspiring writers. The editorial team at Bookazine recently had the pleasure of interviewing this talented young man to learn more about his passion for literature and storytelling. We asked him about his experiences as an author and to discuss his latest book "The pig Hunt".
Hi Landon, can you recall one of the earliest books you read that left a lasting impression on you ? Which book was it and what made it stand out?
An earlier book that I read that had a big impact on me was the book called Holes. The reason why it was special is because I like how Louis Sachar made different parts of the story relate and link up through time. It has really inspired me to write using different character's perspectives throughout the story.
What inspired you to write your own book at such a young age?
I was inspired to write a book at this age because I always enjoy creating imaginative stories. I have always wanted to be an author since I was 5 years old. I get bored at home sometimes, so writing was something that made time fly by quickly.
What is the title of your book, and what’s the story about?
The title of my book is The Pig Hunt and it is about a farmer called Farmer Colt, who loses his pig on the way to the vet and hopes to search for his pig. The characters in the story faced many challenges throughout the story and they had to depend on each other through teamwork, friendship, creativity, and problem solving skills.
Why did you choose to write about this character?
The reason why I chose to write about this character is because my brother’s favourite animal is a pig. That is what inspired me.
What are some of your favourite books at the moment?
My favourite books at the moment are Varjak Paw and Warriors. The reason why I like these books is because Varjak Paw and Warriors are about cats. Cats are my favourite animal by the way.
Do you still find time to write and read these days with school and activities?
Yes, I do still have time to write and read these days. I write and read at school with my friends during English and Guided Reading class. Before bedtime, I enjoy my quiet time, reading, sketching and writing mini stories.
For young aspiring authors out there, do you have any words of encouragement for them?
For young aspiring authors out there, never give up, have fun and just enjoy writing.
What was the hardest part about writing your book?
The hardest part about writing my book was editing. Editing took an extremely long time. Every time I re-read the book again, I could always find mistakes.
The easiest part?
The easiest part of writing the book was the story plot because the images of the setting and the story mountain were already visualized in my head.
Is writing another book something you would consider in the future?
Writing another book may be something I might consider in the future because writing this book was a lot of fun and I was very happy hearing my friends complimenting and enjoying The Pig Hunt.
Do you have any advice to share with other kids your age ? Do you think it is important to read books?
It is important to read a variety of books because if you read different books, you gain a large amount of vocabulary. I think it makes writing more interesting when you are able to use different ways to describe settings and characters’ emotions. Also, reading is a lot of fun!
Have you had any thoughts about what you would like to do in the future: school/ university/ career wise?
I don't really have any thoughts about what I would like to do in the future since the future is quite far. Writing a book was really fun and it will serve as a good memory to end my primary school year. As I look forward to entering high school, just like The Pig Hunt, I foresee my high school adventure to be “filled with mysteries, humors, and amazing friendships”.
Landon, on behalf of Bookazine, thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to answer a few of our questions.
We wish you all the success ahead and most of all, keep dreaming big and having fun writing.
