Heather’s Bookshelf: Author Interview with DJ Stoneham
Book Title: Once Upon a Wonderland
Released: 02/23/23
Genre: Fairy Tale Retelling/Fantasy
Interview by Heather L. Barksdale
What inspired you to write “Once Upon a Wonderland”?
Stoneham: I have always been a fan of Lewis Carroll’s Wonderland books – probably influenced by my mother reading to me when I was little. When I carved out more time in my life to write, I had a couple of stories on the boil, including an epic fantasy I had been writing for 30 years, would you believe! However, I was impatient to write and as soon as I wondered what kind of adventure Alice might have ten years or so after her Looking Glass escapade, the ideas started to flow. Once the characters started talking, they more or less wrote the book themselves. In the first book – Alice Falls Again – Alice was older, sassier, so Wonderland’s challenges had to be tougher, more sinister, perhaps reflecting current crises our own world. I nevertheless wanted to retain the level of wordplay, fantasy and playfulness of the original stories. Although Alice Falls Again is a stand-alone story, the ending made a few people ask about a sequel. A couple of years later, I thought more about it and decided there were indeed questions to be answered about Alice, Jack (the feathered young man she is enamoured with) and the sinister Hatter. Not to mention the tyrant causing all the problems – the Queen of Hearts. In Once upon a Wonderland, the storyline revolves around characters taken from the true origins of our favourite fairy tales (as opposed to nursery rhymes, as in Alice Falls Again).
How did you come up with the names of your main characters?
Stoneham: A few are obviously from the original stories – Alice, the Hatter, Queen of Hearts. Jack Door is the feathered boy – Alice named him so because he mends doors and writes poetry, also subconsciously forming a link to his striking resemblance to a jackdaw. Most other names are from fairy tales, although I often chose the lesser know alternatives e.g. Petrosinella instead of Rapunzel, Zellandine instead of Sleeping Beauty and so on. But they are all based on the dark history of the fairy tale origins. Rumpelstiltskin is so tired of saying and writing his name out that he simply wants to be called ‘R’. The seven dwarfs have names from different ethnicities as they hate stereotyping. Peter Stumpp, the wolf, was the name of a real man accused of being a werewolf in the Middle Ages. And so on. A bit twisted – great fun.
Is there anything that you want readers to know about you, your writing process or your book?
Stoneham: Only that actual writing is the best part and incredible fun (as opposed to the publishing process and marketing). I only that hope readers get at least half the enjoyment I do from writing.
If "Once Upon A Wonderland" was adapted into a movie, who would you like to see cast to play your lead characters?
Stoneham: Good question. I do like the quirkiness of Mia Wasikowska, the Australian actress in Tim Burton’s movies. (Otherwise, I’m not a huge fan of those movies, not least for the stereotype casting and Hollywood gloss). Eddie Redmayne would be perfect as Jack. On the other hand, I could imagine fresh new talent. Anyone quirky would fit.
When you encounter writer’s block, what do you do to break yourself out of it?
Stoneham: Take a break. Make a coffee. I’m usually so deep into the story that once I’m in the flow, it’s hard to surface. Sometimes, I know something’s not quite right but I push on and rewrite it later (often dozens of times!)
Are there any tips that you would like to share with other aspiring authors?
Stoneham: Just go for it. Write for yourself, not for others. Then you can’t get too unhappy at the results. Finishing a story is an achievement in itself. Publishing a book, another one. Good feedback from acquaintances, a good review – more success. Sales is icing on the cake for me. If you make sales the only goal, you’re probably going to be disappointed.
What is your favorite genre, book, and/or author?
Stoneham: I enjoy fantasy and humour most. Best book ever – epic fantasy, the Chronicles of Thomas Covenant, by Stephen Donaldson.
What are you working on next?
Stoneham: I have just finished editing new and shorter editions of my two books Outcast and Havoc, an epic fantasy duology called Worlds Apart, which I’ll republish at the end of the year. Early 2024, I want to write a third short story to complete and publish an anthology of three short stories. Then I have a massive new project for 2024-2026 – writing books three and four of the Worlds Apart series. I have an early plan for the basic storyline, subplot and characters and am really excited about it.
Learn More About the Author and Once Upon a Wonderland here:
website: www.djstoneham.com
Instagram djstoneham_author
TikoTok: @author_djstone
Facebook – DJStoneham Author
Youtube – DJStoneham author
Interested in checking out the book for yourself?
Find it for purchase here or Kindle Unlimited
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