Answers to My Readers Questions

(This was previously posted on my myspace blog)
Well, since the books release, I've been asked so many questions about the book, as expected. Some questions, though, are repeating and I would like to answers some of the questions my readers have.

Why did I write Wonderful Wigs?

Well I wrote wonderful wigs, because I have always had a strong emotional attachment to cancer patients and survivors. My mother lost her battle with cancer when I was 12, going on 13. I don't know if that is what may have caused this attachment, but I'm sure it had something to do with it. I always felt as though the adults around me, whose responsibility it was to explain to me what was really going on failed, when they painted an unrealistic fantasy of my mothers illness and her condition.

Of course, you grow up and you deal with loss as best you know how. And after having two daughters, I began to think about little children, particularly girls that have to go through what my mother went through. She was an adult woman and it was so difficult for her, just the thought made me cringe. I then began to think about what resources were out there for parents to discuss this with them. And surprisingly there were quite a few books out there, similar to mine, however, not many if any that portrayed any little black girls.

Which brings me to the next question...

Why is the main character illustrated as a little black girl?

Well, growing up as little black girls we have a complex about our hair. The media doesn't portray what we have naturally as beautiful. And growing up 9 out of 10 black women at some point didn't like their natural hair, and either got a perm, or some other texture altering treatment done to there hair to make it more "beautiful" and manageable. So, to already have issues with the hair you were given, and then lose it all due to cancer must be so difficult for a little black girl.

I'm not discrediting the degree of difficulty that little white girls must have. Being a girl of any race and losing your hair is difficult. But there were more resources out there already for girls of other races to identify with, and none or very few that portrayed a girl of color.

Why the name Aisha?

The answer to this is actually quite interesting. It took me weeks to come up with a name for her that fit. I love all things African, and have been learning bits and pieces of Swahili from some Kenyan friends. I wanted to incorporate something from Swahili in her name. I began to asks my friends the Swahili word for different words that I wanted this book to portray. The name Aisha came from me the Swahili word for life: maisha. I took off the 'm' since Aisha was a more common name, and easier to pronounce.

Will there be another Wonderful Wigs book?

Probably not. The discussion series is about more than cancer issues. All of the books will tackle other life issues that are difficult to discuss with children. There will be little boys and children of other ethnicities as well.

What's next for Chaun Archer?

Well, I'm continuing the discussion series, because it is much needed. The next book in the series will be released April '09. I also want to have my young adult fiction released next year, but no promises on that, one thing at a time. I have a few book signings, and readings coming up the begining of the year, after the holidays, which I will post on my site. Until then, just spending time with my wonderful family!