Official Interview: M.H. Dixon

[kandscreeley]

Today's Chat with Sarah features M.H. Dixon author of Mouse Trax.

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1. How did you get started writing?

In my fourth-grade year at Pinkey Elementary, I wrote a spoof on my school that characterized it as a prison. The first line explained, "My name is Joe McMizzen, and I go to Pinkney Prison, and I think you'd like to know about this place." My mother, who typed it for me, wisely suggested I have something nice to say about my teachers. It was written to share with my classmates, but a teacher quickly learned of it and pressed me to read it to the entire student body. Thankfully, my mother's suggestion saved my bacon.

2. Who has influenced your style?

I am sure you mean authors, but the person who probably most influenced my style the most was the elementary school librarian, Ms. Mallory. One hour of every day was spent in the library, and one hour was dedicated to poetry each week. On poetry days, students volunteered to read verses they enjoyed in class. So, we were steeped in poets like Ogden Nash, Robert Lewis Stevenson, Margaret Wise Brown, A.A. Milne, and others. Poetry Day was how I got the idea to write a verse for my classmates.

3. Let's discuss your book Mouse Trax. Why a mouse?

I needed a character vulnerable to the perils of the world. What could be more vulnerable than a mouse? He would have to overcome significant obstacles but be a model of courage and good character that children should emulate. All the mice I have ever encountered have been courageous and of good character.

4. Are you like your protagonist Another Mouse? How so?

I am Another Mouse, overwhelmed by the world I find myself in. In addition to the dangers that await around every corner, we are awash in human shortcomings: arrogance, prejudice, etc. Even so, I am an optimist and feel that goodness will prevail in the long run. When freed from need and oppression, our better angels spread their wings.

5. What is your favorite scene? Which was the hardest to write?

I got the most laughs from writing, "I am a clam." I was just tickled by its utter silliness. Just try to read the last stanza aloud with your tongue sticking out. You will die trying to do it with a straight face. The hardest to write was, "Now if I must be very frank." I agonized to the end over my choice of lines.

6. Why did you decide to make the characters rhyme and how difficult was it to accomplish?

The whole story could be easily told in a few paragraphs but would not be very entertaining. The verses are the meat of the story. The plot provides context to tie verses together and make sense of them. Of course, any story must have a conflict and resolution. The challenge was to find a plot that would allow me to draw from my large file of verses. I could not write the entire story that way and had to create new material for some chapters. So, to answer your second question, it was pretty easy because I had much of the material already available. If this sounds like I only write stories in verse, that would be incorrect. I have written several stories with no verse or just a bit of verse. In those cases, the tale itself must carry all the weight of entertaining.

7. The reviewer mentions that both children and adults would enjoy this. Who is your ideal audience?

I tried all the verses in Mouse Trax on my wife. If one got a laugh from her, I knew it would sell. But my grandchildren and other children dearly loved the rhymes. My great-nieces and great-nephews sent me a lovely fan letter praising Mouse Trax. Kids can be brutally honest because they haven't learned to tell white lies. I think Mouse Trax would make a great musical comedy for adults, a story for 'grups' (grown-ups), not grumps.

8. What's next for you?

I have completed but not yet published another book, a collection of short stories. I never stop writing. The joy of getting something just right is addictive.

I like to end with fun questions.

9. What animal is your favorite?

I am a dog lover. When I invite friends to dinner, they understand I mean, "Bring your dog too."

10. What's your favorite superhero?

My favorite superhero is a girl named Sowella Swift, the protagonist in a story I wrote.

11. Fairies or Dragons?

I am enthralled with fairies and dragons and have written about both. We all have a bit of animism in us because that is just part of human nature. I think it is charming as long as we don't start talking to trees and manhole covers. Some of us remember when a guy walking down the street, talking aloud to no one, would be apprehended by the police wagon. So, I always chuckle and ask myself, "Is this real?" Because I remember when it was!

12. Who is your hero?

I would most like to emulate my father and my father-in-law. My father was the original M.H. and filled my and my brother's bedtimes with his enthralling stories. I chose the penname M.H. Dixon to honor him. (He was Millier Hubbard, and I am Michael Howard.) My father-in-law, George Saunders, was a model of hard work, intelligence, humility, and integrity wrapped up in one great guy.

[NoviceReader]

The world is filled with vast differences in terms of strength, weakness, etc. Some are strong to rule weaker, some are weak to get ruled. Everybody is finding their way to live life and we as humans can see from both angles.

[Seetha E]

I loved the book. Glad I got to know more.

[Blessed Hope]

it was nice to hear about the first journey towards writing and major positive influences in your life. Indeed a journey of a thousand miles begins with just a step