Dani Resh’s Magic Shoe Series takes its first steps

Dani Resh

By Max Bowen

In “Compass to Vinland,” we’re introduced to a world of fantasy seen through the eyes of Wren, a quirky young man who may not seem like the usual protagonist for the genre—but trust me, there’s a lot more than meets the eye.

In this interview, author Dani Resh shares the character’s origin, the theme of mental health and its role in the story, fantasy as a storytelling tool, and how her parenting years helped shape the tale.

“Clarity of Sight,” the second book in the series, is being released later this month.


I read that the series addresses mental health. How so, and is there an overall message for readers?
All three main characters in the “Magic Shoe Series” are dealing with issues that have taken a toll on their mental health. Wren is struggling with feeling disconnected from his father and peers, Maria is plagued by insecurity due to her acute awareness of what others think of her through her mind-reading abilities, and Rusty is trying to repel the harsh stereotypes that have been placed upon him by his community.

Throughout the series, each of the characters learns to shed the unhealthy perceptions that have been placed upon them by external forces and gradually begins to recognize their positive attributes. The friendships they develop with each other are pivotal to their journey of self-acceptance and help them quell the intrusive thoughts of self-doubt.

So, in a nutshell, I would say that the message of the series is not to let others define who you are, stay true to yourself, and know that amazing, life-altering friendships can develop if you open yourself up to the possibility.

What about the fantasy genre appealed to you?
I love Fantasy because, for me, it represents limitless possibilities. Throughout my life, I have had a tendency to steer away from strict rules and boundaries and have felt most at home in creative environments. I studied art in college and graduate school and embraced clay as a medium of choice because of its willingness to bend and alter itself easily without resistance. As a writer, I have found that I need that initial burst of unhindered creativity when developing a story and fantasy is the perfect genre for me to explore ideas freely.

Did you find that fantasy was better suited to communicating the different themes?
I think the escapism that fantasy provides makes it a great genre for middle-grade readers, especially if the writer is trying to incorporate some heavy themes. The pure joy of entering a fantastical world full of adventure, intermingled with characters that one can identify with has the potential of producing a truly magical experience.

Wren doesn’t seem like the typical fantasy protagonist.
Honestly, I hadn’t taken the time to compare Wren to other fantasy protagonists, so your question has sparked some contemplation. True, Wren may not appear to be overly confident or seemingly capable of facing a formidable and ruthless enemy, but that’s why I find him interesting.

Wren’s personality traits don’t necessarily line up with current fantasy protagonist trends, but when I really thought about it, I realized that there are quite a few similarities between him and Frodo from “The Lord of the Rings.” Both found fulfillment in the simpler things in life and never intended on leaving their charming homes to face a dark nemesis, yet they both found themselves immersed in a larger battle between good and evil and ended up playing an integral part in the outcome. Wren and Frodo both displayed bravery and selflessness throughout their stories and neither complained or rejected the responsibility that had been placed upon their shoulders.

What went into crafting the character?
When I began the series, I was struck by how many young people in my life were feeling disconnected from their peers, and I wanted to explore those feelings of detachment through Wren’s character. I decided to create a reality for Wren where he is lacking the meaningful interactions needed to feel more connected to the world around him.

Did your parenting side get woven into the story?
I definitely see my parenting style displayed in certain characters but I made a point to demonstrate that each of the five main younger characters in the book have very different relationships and experiences with their parents. It was important to me to represent a broad array of parenting styles in the series. I not only wanted to highlight positive relationships between parents and their children but also touch on more dysfunctional family dynamics.

What can we expect in “Clarity of Sight”
The second installment of the Magic Shoe Series is told from the perspective of Maria Tovar, allowing the reader to have a better understanding of her as a character and also how her powers work. Maria is plagued by dreams of a hooded figure and her mind-reading abilities have grown so powerful that even her closest friends avoid her touch. But when she starts seeing strange threads of light everywhere, she really begins to worry that her powers are beyond her comprehension. During a traditional festival in Underfoot, an evil entity strikes, creating chaos in the underground settlement. Now Maria must journey up top, find allies, and fight the enemy to save her friends. Along the way, Maria finds answers to her never-ending questions and discovers fate is far more powerful than she realized.

I really liked the covers. Was this what you had envisioned?
I was pleasantly surprised when my publisher presented me with the cover for “Compass to Vinland.” I loved the energy of the swirling crows and the black and gold tones. For the second book cover, I wanted to continue with the color scheme and had an image in my head of the Foreburke Tree, which is an evil, twisted pear tree that plays a prominent role in the conclusion of “Clarity of Sight.” I worked closely with my publisher to bring the image that I had in my head into existence and think it accurately represents the dark yet whimsical energy I strived to capture in the series.