Authors Interviewing Characters: Fatima R. Henson Interviews Ayanna Grace

Authors Interviewing Characters: Fatima R. Henson Interviews Ayanna Grace

LOVE IN THE AGE OF DRAGONS

Two years ago, a wormhole opened and ushered vicious dragons into the world. The dragons burned Earth’s cities to the ground and sent its inhabitants scattering for cover; and since then, Ayanna Grace, a seventeen-year-old Black girl, has been scratching out a life in an abandoned subway system, part of an extensive underground community. 

Underground, medicine runs short and outbreaks of disease spread uncontrollably. The water supply is low, uprisings occur frequently, and dragon attacks are imminent. But those aren’t the only challenges Ayanna is facing: she’s also busy wrestling with her feelings, torn between Richard, who she’s known all her life, and Jackson, a mysterious newcomer. Worse, her mentor, the community’s only doctor, is dying from a failing heart. With no hope of rescue from aboveground, will Ayanna be able to save him before it’s too late?

Fatima R. Henson interviews Ayanna Grace. 

FRH: So, I’d like to clear the air and address the elephant in the room right up front if that’s alright. 

Ayanna [taking a deep breath]: You want to talk about my father?

FRH: Well, yes. He did open the wormhole that allowed the dragons to enter the world. So essentially, he destroyed the—

Ayanna: He didn’t destroy anything. My father was a scientist and a genius. He could not have predicted what would happen. It’s not his fault and there is nothing else to say about it. 

FRH: I see. Let’s move on then. 

Ayanna: Yes, let’s. 

FRH: OK. It’s common knowledge that your teacher and mentor, Dr. Keaton, is the only doctor your community has come across in over a year and he’s not a young man…do you feel ready to provide medical care to the people of Terra should something unfortunate happen to him?

Ayanna: Dr. Keaton is fine. What have you hea–? I mean there is nothing to worry about. Yes, he is training me as a medic, but it’s just a precaution. Terra will have a doctor for years to come and everyone is going to survive. You’ll see. 

FRH: Uh-huh. Well, what about the other problems at Terra. I mean aren’t you worried about the water shortage or the threat to your crops? Do these concerns keep you up at night?

Ayanna: [nodding] Yes, I am worried about the water shortage. I think that maybe our leaders should do things differently. They are afraid of the dragons, and it holds them back from taking bold action that might make the community safer. They’re scared is all…which I get…it’s just that I wish they would set that fear aside for the good of the group, you see. 

FRH: Hmm, interesting. Have you ever told your council leaders this? Have you ever called them out on their inaction in the face of crises?

Ayanna: No, not in so many words. I tend to take matters into my own hands. I think that sometimes it is better to ask for forgiveness instead of permission. 

FRH: And does taking action over the council’s objections usually work out for you?

Ayanna: Not really. I’ve gotten into my fair share of trouble for breaking the community’s rules. Still, it’s worth it in the end: facing dragons; sneaking out of Terra; searching for supplies. All of it is worth the risk if it means keeping everyone that I care about safe. 

FRH: Speaking of the dragons, what do you think they want?

Ayanna: Want? They want what all animals want—to survive. And that’s what they are—animals. That’s the thing that makes them so dangerous and unrelenting. They kill and burn, but it’s not personal. It’s just their nature. We can’t negotiate with them. 

FRH: So what should people do if they are facing such an undefeatable foe?

Ayanna: Just keep their heads down I guess and try to survive any way that they can. 

FRH: Do you not think that people should fight and try to destroy the dragons? For example, isn’t it true that Captain Richard Daniels is a war hero from the Fire Sky War? Doesn’t he have a reputation as a “dragon killer?” 

Ayanna: Yes, Richard has killed many dragons. That is true. But haven’t you heard, that even with the entire army fighting in the Fire Sky War, the dragons still proved to be too strong? We lost. There isn’t much that can be done now. 

FRH: Speaking of Captain Richard Daniels, I’ve heard that the two of you used to be romantically involved. Is that not true? And rumor has it that he keeps close tabs on you at Terra. Some even argue that he is still in love with you. 

Ayanna: [sitting up] You’ve heard what now? Richard…I mean Captain Daniels and I are…are relationship is…well, it’s difficult to explain you see. It’s complicated. And as far as these supposed rumors of him being in love with me…that’s just ridiculous. 

FRH: Well, are you in love with him? 

Ayanna: I…I…what does any of this have to do with the dragons?

FRH: OK. Just one more topic of inquiry. My sources inform me that a new young man, Jackson, has been allowed admittance into your community. Very little is known about him. Do you worry that he might spell trouble for the inhabitants of Terra?

Ayanna: [smiling] Trouble? Not at all. Jackson just wants to help. He’s handsome and funny, and charming, and sure, he’s a little strange, but I don’t think he will bring anything but aid to Terra. I’m glad he’s here. 

Author Bio

Fatima R. Henson is a native of Atlanta, Georgia. She is a passionate and talented US History teacher and writer with a penchant for dystopian and fantasy storytelling.

She is also an alum of the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida, and American University in Washington DC. Much of her work seeks to swing open the doors of imagination into fantastical worlds where she reveals the deep and intimate lives of young Black characters thriving against persistent and remarkable obstacles. Henson is also the author of Courageous Cody’s Western Adventure, an action-adventure book for children ages 8–12.

Author Website, Social Media Handles:

Twitter: @f_henson

Facebook: www.facebook.com/Fatima.R.Henson1 

Instagram: @fatima.r.henson

Website: www.loveintheageofdragons.com

Buy a copy of the book at https://amzn.to/36YMYzh 

 

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Category: Contemporary Women Writers, On Writing