Making her mark

I knew why she was so endearing to kids the moment I saw her. Her 1,000-watt smile was enough to light up any room and her manner of speaking was as though she was narrating a story. So when Dedra Stevenson decided to put her career as a freelance lifestyle writer on the back burner and start writing for children, it was probably the right thing to do.

Fun with imagination

And this was my first question to the UAE-based author of The Hakima's Tale series, as I settled into a seat opposite her at a local coffee shop.

"Just because it's so much more fun!" she replied. "I have often been asked to write about local people, how they live and about the relationships of foreign women married to local men. But where is the imagination in that? I mean where's the escape for me in it? Fantasy fiction lifts me into another world — somewhere I want to be," she moved her hands animatedly to describe that other world. "I have a child's imagination, which I've kept alive. It's the big kid in me that wants to write for other kids, not adults. However, let me clarify that The Hakima's Tale is not just a book for children, it's for adults too."

Book for all generations

Stevenson is having the first part of the series, The Revenge of the Blue Jinni, released in the US in the next two months. Was it more challenging to write for children?

"Well, I guess being only a children's writer would have challenges. But as I said, The Hakima's Tale is a book not just for kids. It's designed to appeal to all. This book tries to reach into a person's desire to lose himself or herself in an imaginary world, a world inspired by the 1,001 Nights tradition — a world of genies, flying carpets and magic," she said.

Stevenson is an American married to an Arab psychologist for the past 20 years and lives in the UAE. She has three sons and a daughter. Were they the inspiration behind her writing the series?

"I've mostly been a stay-at-home mum because I have an autistic child. I have always enjoyed telling my children stories about genies and the like — and, somewhere, The Hakima's Tale began to take shape."

For the Emirati woman

Having made the UAE her home, she is known as Amira to her Arab family and friends. Due to her close interaction with Emirati culture and people, how much of it has influenced the creation of Phoenix, the central character in the book?

"Well, there isn't just one person or influence that inspired Phoenix. Phoenix is an embodiment of an Emirati woman and at the same time, she is a great influence on all women. She does not follow the traditional path and embraces who she is. This is evident at the end of the second book. This is important for women today. We are all here for a purpose and have been given gifts to fulfil it. We should accept that."

One could draw some comparisons with J.K. Rowling and it's evident that the famous author has been a great influence on Stevenson's writing.

"Oh yes! She's very much an influence on me. I feel she's my hero because she is just like me. She's a mother; she had a unique idea; she may have had doubts about it initially but she did follow it through — and see where she is today. But at the same time, The Hakima's Tale is only so much inspired by the Harry Potter books or, for that matter, the Lord of the Rings trilogy. There is a central character that is good and is born to fight evil — that's about the only similarity. These are all Western stories and I felt it was about time something like that was revived in the Middle Eastern tradition. After all, it was this part of the world that gave us The Arabian Nights," she said.

Platform for pioneers

Stevenson is also the founder of the Emirates Literary Society. What is the purpose of the society?

"It's to bring together people like me, who are pioneers in bringing literature to life in this part of the world. We want to bring out more of the art and talent that exist here. We don't have to read just Western stories. There's a rich culture here as well. The society is a springboard for people in the same sphere. Writing is a means of unlocking your emotions. If you feel restricted in life, this is a healthy outlet."

Leaving behind a legacy

Stevenson has a masters degree in marketing and communications and if she had followed that path, she could have been successful in it as well. What attracted her to writing?

"My books are my key to immortality. The fact that people will remember me because of these is enough inspiration. It's a legacy to my children and grandchildren — something that will remind them I was here: that Dedra was someone who has something to say, some message to spread. And maybe it will encourage them to embrace their creative side," the author smiled.

Talk about it

Discuss The Hakima's Tale series and Arabic folklore with Dedra Stevenson at www.thehakimastale.com