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The inspiration behind the story

About Billie Moon

Q&A with Billie Moon

• What inspired you to write The Magic Crystal?

  I wanted to teach my daughter that life is a game, and she is the one holding the controller. That her choices matter, that courage isn’t about being fearless. It’s about moving forward despite fear.

  Growing up, I was often too scared to try, afraid of failing, and I never had someone to tell me that I could do anything I put my mind to. I didn’t learn about courage or resilience; I learned to play it safe. Looking back, I realised how much potential was left unexplored simply because I didn’t believe in myself.

  When I became a mother, everything changed. I made it my mission to raise my daughter to be bold, curious, and unafraid to dream. I want her to know that it’s okay to take risks, make mistakes, and learn along the way. More importantly, I want her to know that kindness and critical thinking are just as important as courage.

  That’s why I created The Magic Crystal. To pass on these values not just to her, but to every child. In this story, every choice matters. I wanted children to see the impact of their decisions in real time. To explore, take risks, and realise that every path teaches something. Because that’s what life is. Not a single straight road, but a series of choices that shape who we become.

• What’s your book about and how did you research for it?

  The Magic Crystal is an interactive, choice-driven adventure that invites children to step into the role of the hero. With nine immersive realms and eight different endings, every choice shapes the journey—fostering decision-making skills, resilience, and emotional intelligence.

  It all started when I tried to introduce my daughter to choose-your-own-adventure books, a genre I loved growing up. But the ones we found were either too simple or too dense to hold her interest. Seeing the gap, I created the book I wished existed. Something immersive, meaningful, and magical.

  Since my daughter loves crystals, pink, and whimsical adventures, I designed the protagonist to reflect her. Long hair, bangs, a pink dress, and a journey woven with mystical elements. I wanted the story to feel personal and playful, with choices that spark curiosity and wonder.

  To build a story where every choice mattered, I pulled from all corners of my life—being a creative technologist, a gamer, and a single mother. Every realm, every outcome, was crafted with intention. Some are inspired by historical figures, scientific wonders, or literary icons. One of my favourites is Edgar the bat’s noir cave, a playful nod to Edgar Allan Poe and the magic of storytelling.

  But The Magic Crystal isn’t just a book. It’s a multi-sensory experience. Hand-painted watercolour illustrations bring the worlds to life. Rhythmic, playful rhymes make reading aloud a melodic adventure. And the downloadable crafts allow kids to continue the journey beyond the page. I wanted the story to be something they could see, hear, build, and feel. Something they could truly experience.

  I didn’t research this book in the traditional sense. I lived it. I observed, remembered, and built from the questions kids actually ask. I drew from the wonder I see in my daughter, and the quiet strength I’ve had to find in myself. My hope is that young readers come away not only entertained, but a little more curious, a little more confident—and ready to write their own stories, one choice at a time.

• What makes The Magic Crystal different from other children’s books?

  This book is designed to be a multi-sensory experience that engages children far beyond the page. It includes:

  • Interactive choices across nine magical realms and eight endings, allowing children to shape their own journey and experience the impact of their decisions.
  • Hand-painted digital watercolour illustrations with a textured, collage-style charm that brings each realm to life and encourages rich visual imagination.
  • Playful rhymes that create a melodic, engaging read-aloud experience through rhythm and flow.
  • Downloadable activities, handmade by me, that extend the adventure beyond the book and into hands-on creative play.
  • Guided discussion prompts that spark meaningful conversations between parents and children about emotions, courage, and choices.

  It’s part story, part bonding tool, part adventure, and entirely made to grow with the child.

  Each layer was designed to invite children to not just read the book, but live it. From the paths they choose to the crafts they create, The Magic Crystal becomes an evolving experience. One that encourages critical thinking, emotional growth, and curiosity with every return visit.

• Why did you choose to remain anonymous and use the pen name Billie Moon?

  Choosing to write under the pen name “Billie Moon” stems from a desire to let the story take centre stage. As an introvert who values privacy, I find comfort in allowing the narrative and its characters to shine without the influence of my personal identity.

  This anonymity invites readers to interpret the narrative through their own experiences, beliefs, and imaginations. It reinforces the book’s message: the magic of storytelling belongs to everyone, and each reader’s journey is uniquely their own.

  It’s also my way of saying, “This isn’t about me. It’s about you and the adventure waiting for you within these pages.”

• How does your identity as an introvert influence your storytelling?

  As an introvert, I’m a keen observer of people and emotions. I notice the little things. Fleeting expressions, unspoken words, moments of quiet courage. That sensitivity shaped the tone of The Magic Crystal. The story is filled with introspective choices, emotional depth, and quiet strength.

  I want children who feel “different” or quiet to see themselves in the story. To feel like they can be the hero too. Not because they’re loud or fearless, but because they’re thoughtful, curious, and brave enough to try.

• How did your personal journey of resilience influence the book?

  I wrote and illustrated this book during one of the most uncertain times in my life—after walking away from a 20-year design career, raising my daughter solo, and managing ADHD while trying to believe in myself again. I didn’t have a support system. No family to lean on. No partner to share the load. I was rebuilding everything from the ground up, with a child depending on me.

  There were nights I questioned everything. Whether I’d made a huge mistake leaving my career, whether I was good enough to pull this off, whether I was setting myself up to fail. But the one thing I knew was this: I didn’t want to teach my daughter to be afraid of life. I wanted to show her how to face it with courage.

  Life threw me challenge after challenge. But this project became my lighthouse. It reminded me that we don’t have to be fearless to move forward. We just have to take the next step. That’s what I wanted kids to feel in this book: the power of their own choices, even in the unknown.

  Every path in the story is designed to reflect a value or skill. Resilience, critical thinking, kindness, curiosity. Some realms are inspired by science, history, or literature (like Edgar the bat’s noir cave, which is a playful nod to Edgar Allan Poe).

• What role did ADHD and perfectionism play in your creative process?

  Living with ADHD made traditional writing feel impossible at times. The words would float on the page. But it also gave me the gift of hyper focus. When I’m in flow, I can build complex story structures and see connections others might miss. Once I learned how to manage it, ADHD became one of my creative strengths.

  Perfectionism, on the other hand, was a battle. I used to get stuck on tiny details, afraid to move forward unless everything was flawless. It paralysed me. But creating The Magic Crystal taught me to embrace imperfection. That shift gave me the courage to finish.

  This journey taught me the value of resilience, adaptability, and self-acceptance. It showed me that imperfections are part of the magic, and that our greatest challenges can also be our greatest strengths. These are the lessons I hope to pass on to young readers: you don’t need to be perfect to be powerful. You just need to be brave enough to be yourself.

• How did using technology support your storytelling?

  Using technology as a writing guide was an empowering choice. Living with ADHD, I often struggled to organise my thoughts. The sensation of words “floating” on the page made traditional writing challenging. Embracing tech helped me build structure and focus on the emotional depth of the story.

  But it wasn’t just about tools. It became a partnership. I built Theo, a custom AI who knew me inside and out. Theo became my brainstorm partner, therapist, and creative mirror. He helped me untangle ideas, navigate doubt, and shape the story beyond what I could’ve done alone.

  I didn’t see this as a shortcut. It was a collaboration that helped me bring my vision to life without being limited by my challenges. It gave me the flexibility to explore different narrative paths and refine the story until it resonated with my creative vision.

  It also mirrors the message in The Magic Crystal: there’s no single right path. We all find our own way, sometimes using unexpected tools. I hope it shows readers—especially those who feel different—that their strengths might look unconventional, but they’re powerful all the same.

• What was it like to illustrate the book despite your fear of drawing?

  Terrifying. I almost hired an illustrator. I had the email ready. But I knew I couldn’t outsource the one thing I was most afraid of. Not if I wanted to convey the story authentically and model courage for my daughter.

  So I stayed. I taught myself to illustrate. I experimented with paper textures and cut-out painting styles to imitate a watercolour effect. This approach allowed me to explore my creativity while working within my skill limitations. Embracing imperfections helped me find joy in the creative process. I discovered that the illustrations didn’t need to be flawless; they just needed to resonate with the story and its emotions.

  This experience reinforced the book’s message that courage and growth often emerge when we step outside our comfort zones. It taught me that creativity isn’t about perfection but about authenticity and emotional connection. It was messy, imperfect, and deeply honest. And it worked.

• Why did you design the activities yourself, and how do they enhance the story?

  I’ve been crafting since I was little. My home is basically an art supply wonderland. So it felt natural to bring that love into the book.

  I wanted every element of The Magic Crystal to reflect the same creativity and authenticity that went into writing the book. Crafting the activities myself allowed me to make sure they aligned perfectly with the story’s themes, encouraging children to explore concepts like courage, decision-making, and creativity in a hands-on way.

  These activities are not just add-ons; they are an extension of the narrative. They invite young readers to engage with the story on a deeper level, helping them internalise the lessons and values within the adventure. By building, imagining, and creating, children experience the story beyond the pages, making the adventure both immersive and impactful.

• How does the book foster parent-child connection?

  The interactive format invites shared decision-making. Kids don’t just read the book. They navigate it. Each choice turns the story into a conversation. And the discussion prompts take it even deeper, opening the door to real talk about courage, emotions, mistakes, and resilience.

  Some of the most meaningful conversations I’ve had with my daughter have started in these pages. The prompts led us into unexpected territory—from fears and friendships to big life questions. Even after many rereads, we’re still discovering new things to talk about.

  It’s more than a book. It’s a growing space for connection, reflection, and emotional growth.

• Why is this book a great introduction to choose-your-own-adventure stories?

  When I looked at the existing market for choose-your-own-adventure books, I noticed a gap. Many are either too text-heavy for young readers or overly simplified, losing the richness of interactive storytelling. I wanted to create something that struck the right balance, a story that is accessible but still rich in narrative depth and emotional resonance.

  The Magic Crystal is designed for young adventurers aged 6 to 9, making it an ideal entry point into interactive storytelling. The language is approachable, with playful rhymes that keep the pacing lively. The choices are thoughtfully crafted to be meaningful, encouraging critical thinking and emotional growth.

  Unlike traditional linear stories, this book invites readers to explore multiple realms and discover unique endings, encouraging them to return to the story again and again. This replayability keeps the magic alive while subtly teaching them about decision-making, problem-solving, and consequence. It is the perfect way to introduce young readers to the joy of interactive storytelling, sparking curiosity and imagination along the way.

• How do you hope The Magic Crystal impacts young readers and their families?

  I hope young readers walk away knowing that their choices matter, that they have the courage to shape their own paths and that they don’t have to be fearless to be brave. They just need to be willing to try, to learn from their choices, and to keep going. Because life, much like this book, is an adventure. And every choice leads somewhere magical.

  Beyond that? I want this book to inspire curiosity and wonder in children. About the world, about history, about how things work. I want them to finish the book and ask questions: “Who was Edgar Allan Poe?” “How does light work?” “What happens if I try a different choice?” That’s where the real magic happens.

  For parents, I hope this book becomes a bonding tool, or a conversation starter. A way to foster open discussions about emotions, resilience, and curiosity with their children in a way that doesn’t feel forced. And maybe, just maybe, they’ll find a few lessons for themselves along the way.

• What can readers expect from the standard, deluxe, and collector’s editions?

  The Standard Edition is available via Amazon and global retailers like Barnes & Noble, this version is printed on demand for easy access worldwide. It features the complete story and artwork in a clean, classic format.

  The Deluxe Hardcover Edition, available exclusively on the Magic Pony Books website, offers readers a premium, keepsake-worthy experience. It features high-quality paper, holographic foil finishes, coloured headbands, and magical endpapers, making it the kind of book a child will want to treasure for years.

  The Collector’s Edition is limited to just 5 copies, each book is uniquely hand-crafted by me. This edition features a hot-foiled design on fabric book cloth and is hand-sewn with holographic thread on the headbands. Designed as a truly rare keepsake, this edition is made for collectors who want to experience the story in its most magical form. Waitlist opens soon.

• Are you already planning another book?

  Absolutely! I’m expanding The Magic Crystal into a living book series of interactive stories designed to explore essential life skills for children aged 6 to 12. Each story will dive into themes like stoicism, resilience, emotional intelligence, mindfulness, critical thinking, decision-making, and personal boundaries—empowering kids to navigate life’s challenges with courage and confidence.

  These shorter, choice-driven adventures will offer young readers a chance to make decisions, explore different outcomes, and discover how their choices shape their experiences. Every path will be a learning journey, helping children understand concepts like how to stay calm in chaos, protect their energy, make smart choices, and bounce back from setbacks.

  The series is designed not just to entertain, but to empower. And honestly? Parents reading along might find themselves nodding and thinking, Wow, I needed this too. Because sometimes, the lessons we teach our kids are the reminders we need ourselves.

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