Wild Journey by A.M. Dassu
Today, we welcome A.M. Dassu to the blog answering a few questions about her latest book, Wild Journey.
Wild Journey is a collection of linked stories – why did you choose starlings to link those stories? What is their significance?
I decided starlings would be the perfect connecting link in each story because they take long journeys and migrate across the world, over vast seas and landscapes, they interact and learn to mimic people and are hugely interesting. They can be found in almost every country in the world now, and so they were the perfect inspiration for me to choose the locations for each of my stories.
Many of the children in Wild Journey have an epiphany moment that deepens their understanding with nature, have you ever had an experience that has changed your relationship with the natural world?
Yes. About twenty-two years ago, I went on a safari in the savanna in Kenya where we saw wild animals roaming freely and ever since, I have refused to go to zoos, because I believe that animals should be free and wild as they are meant to be.
What has been your most life-changing journey?
A few years ago, I went on holiday to Türkiye with extended family and instead of spending time in the pool or by the sea, which is what I would have normally done to relax, we hired a car and explored waterfalls, canyons, and gorges. This experience was so thrilling and refreshing that I am now always keen to explore the wild, wherever I go!
Is there a trip you’ve always wanted to take, but haven’t got round to yet?
Yes! I am desperate to go to the Maldives and swim in that beautiful clear water before it goes under water, but it’s just too expensive!
Which of the linked stories took you the longest to write and why?
The first and the last story came easily, Wolf took a little longer because it is so different to anything I have written before, and I had to research wolf behaviour and the plant life in the Asturias forests for which there isn’t that much visual information online. There is a lot more information on the treks and routes you can take, so I had to really dig to find out what sorts of plants you might find.
Empathy plays a big part in all your books, what advice would you give to adults to help foster empathy within young people?
The connection between empathy and fiction has been studied in psychology and has shown that reading itself is what encourages a change in individuals. It’s literally reading that does it, and so now when we see conflict play out on our TV screens and social media, we need young people to read books that humanise minorities.
We don’t know which book will make young people feel seen or valued or which character they’ll see their life story in. I think connection – in the most unexpected characters and plots – is the way to build empathy. That’s why my stories set across the world, about diverse characters and lives, are written for everyone, to find that common thread of wanting to be warm and with family and friends, and to see all sorts of people who we have nothing in common with also experience anxiety, fear and grief. My advice to build empathy, would be to give access to books that explore experiences which children would not ordinarily have.
What do you hope readers will take away from reading Wild Journey?
I hope they’ll see how very brave and resilient we are as humans when thrown into extraordinary and stressful situations, and I hope the stories will empower my readers to go on their own journeys; to make brave and bold decisions to get out of their comfort zones, make new friends, admit when they’re wrong, or see the wonder and blessings of friends and family.
Views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the Federation.
