T.M. Wallace began her writing career at the young age of eight when she won a short story contest and was published in a local newspaper. Ms. Wallace went on to write her first book at the age of 10, called “The Adventures of Pinkstar,” about a stuffed rabbit who magically comes to life.
Ms. Wallace later received her Master's degree in English Literature from Carleton University and has a degree in Education from the University of Ottawa. Her first novel, Under A Fairy Moon was a quarter-finalist in the 2010 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Awards.
T. M. Wallace resides in Whitby, Ontario, Canada with her husband and four children. Readers can learn more about Ms. Wallace by visiting her website.
Please tell us a bit about your book, Under a Fairy Moon, and what you hope readers take away from reading it.
Under A Fairy Moon is a fantasy novel for ages eleven and up. Young Addyson Marten moves next door to Mrs. Tavish, who is rumored to be a witch. Addy becomes obsessed with Mrs. Tavish's beautiful garden and sets out to explore it: only to become trapped in a twisted fairy-tale world, where she must win a game of Fairy Chess against real fairy creatures in order to return home.
Though the novel seems like a simple fairy tale, there are much deeper lessons to be learned. This enchanted garden has some definite parallels to the garden of Eden, and the dark places in Mrs. Tavish's garden reflect the dark places in Addy's own soul. When Addy speaks to the stone sentries in the garden, they come to life and have some important news for her: Just as the stone chess-pieces are both light and dark, so there is both light and dark within Addy. To win the game of Fairy Chess, Addy will not only have to battle with the black chess-pieces, but also overcome the temptation to darkness within her own soul.
Who are your favorite characters in the story?
I have two favorite characters – Addy and a mischievous pixie named Enitua. Addy is both strong-willed and imaginative, and I can certainly relate to that. Enitua is just pure fun. Her tantrums and her general unpredictability made her a fun character to write, and I hope, to read about.
Do you have a favorite line or excerpt from your book?
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