-Ms. Serena, your book Test Trouble (Sınavla Baş Etmenin Yolları) has recently been introduced to Turkish readers by Meraklı Tilki Publishing. Your book serves as an enjoyable companion for students, offering effective ways to cope with exam stress. What personal experiences or observations inspired you while writing Test Trouble? Could you share the process you went through in creating the main character and how they developed?
Test Trouble was partly inspired by the experience my children had while sitting their primary school SATs which is something we have over here in the UK. It’s a series of tests children take before they move up to secondary school around the age of eleven. My children are of the age now where they question everything and want to know why we do things the way we do them. I felt this was an important experience to explore in a story so that readers know they are not alone in feeling like this. I wanted Arun’s story to have an open ending so we don’t learn what his result on the test is because actually the journey he goes on is the important bit.
-How should the concept of success be conveyed to children, in your opinion? What messages do you aim to give children to help them develop a healthier view of success?
I have learned that there is no single measure of success and it often means different things to different people. Success is not necessarily about exam results or even fame or money. Success can take a long time or it can happen very quickly. Whichever way it happens for you, remember, success does not necessarily equal happiness. Try to be your best self and be proud of EVERY win you make, small and big. And on the days when things don’t go to plan, it’s okay. There’s always next time. Keep going.
-Humor plays an important role in your book. How do you think humor helps children cope with serious topics like exam anxiety?
Humour is a great tool for tackling difficult subjects. It can helps us look at a situation in a different way and make it easier to talk about.
-Your book contains valuable messages not only for children but also for parents and teachers. How did you structure these messages? What advice would you give to parents and teachers to help ease children’s exam anxiety?
I think I just write from the heart, I try to put myself in the readers shoes and imagine how they might feel. I think talking about how exams might make us feel and creating an environment where children feel okay to do that is so important.
-Your book reassures children that test anxiety is natural. What key messages did you intend to impart on the importance of overcoming these fears?
Just that we’re not alone in feelings of worry, nervousness, anxiety and that by sharing our experiences we can overcome difficult situations together.
-Finally, what would you like to say to your Turkish readers?
Thank you so much for reading my books!
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