Sit down Q&A with Hershey Gargash, Author of Wixie the Worm

Did you enjoy writing when you were a child?

 I did. Writing was always a quiet sanctuary for me. I kept a diary from a very young age, and it became my favourite way to process the world around me. It was where I could pour out my thoughts, my feelings, and the little observations that felt too big to hold inside.

What I loved most was looking back through those pages. They became a mirror of growth - moments of innocence, confusion, joy, and clarity all living side by side. It taught me something very powerful: that we are always evolving, always becoming. Writing allowed me to witness that transformation in real time.

Even then, I think I understood (perhaps without realising it) that words can hold emotion, preserve memory, and gently guide us back to ourselves.

 

What were your favourite books when you were a child?

 I was drawn to stories that felt both comforting and adventurous.

I loved Nancy Drew for its sense of curiosity and courage. There was something so empowering about a young girl solving mysteries and trusting her instincts.

Winnie-the-Pooh held a completely different kind of magic. It was gentle, philosophical, and deeply comforting. The simplicity of those stories carried such profound truths about friendship, presence, and the beauty of small moments.

And the Little Miss series brought joy and personality to emotions. Each character felt like a reflection of human nature in its purest, most playful form.

Looking back, I realise these books shaped not only my imagination but also my emotional world - how I see, feel, and tell stories today.

 

How do you dream up new ideas and characters?

 For me, every story begins with a feeling.

I’ve always felt deeply connected to nature and to the quiet intelligence of the earth and the unseen ways it supports us. That connection sparked a desire to create something meaningful for children. A bridge between their inner world and the natural world around them.

I wanted to tell stories that gently nurture awareness, care, and responsibility for our planet, but in a way that feels joyful, not heavy.

Wixie was born from that intention.

Worms are often overlooked, even feared, yet they play such a vital role in sustaining life beneath our feet. There was something beautifully symbolic in that - how the smallest, quietest beings can have the greatest impact.

So Wixie became a cheerful, playful, and kind-hearted guide, a little guardian of the earth. Through her, children can begin to see the magic in what they might otherwise ignore, and perhaps even transform fear into curiosity, and curiosity into love.

And this is just the beginning… there are many more characters waiting to emerge, each with their own story, wisdom, and purpose.

 

Which writers, films or illustrators have influenced your work?

 My inspiration comes from a blend of storytelling that feels both imaginative and meaningful, stories that carry heart, beauty, and a deeper message.

Writers like Beatrix Potter and Roald Dahl have always inspired me with their ability to create vivid worlds filled with character and charm, while still touching on real emotions and life lessons.

I’ve also been drawn to the quiet wisdom of A. A. Milne, whose words feel timeless and soulful.

And then there’s Enid Blyton, whose stories opened the door to pure adventure. Her worlds were filled with curiosity, friendship, and the thrill of the unknown. Whether it was secret picnics, hidden paths, or daring discoveries, her writing captured that magical sense of freedom that childhood holds so effortlessly. She taught me that stories could transport you completely and that imagination could turn the ordinary into something extraordinary. That sense of wonder, of stepping into another world, has stayed with me ever since.

In film, stories like My Neighbour Totoro and The Lion King have deeply influenced me with their connection to nature, emotion, and the cycle of life is something I find incredibly powerful.

And visually, I admire illustrators who bring warmth and life into every page, where each image feels like a world you can step into, not just observe.

 

What’s the best piece of advice you would give to young writers?

 Find what inspires you and follow it wholeheartedly.

Don’t worry about perfection or getting everything “right.” Writing is not about rules, it’s about expression. It’s about courage, the courage to put your thoughts onto paper and trust that they matter.

Pick up your pen and begin, even if you don’t know where the story will go.

And most importantly, create with purpose. When your words come from something real, something you care about deeply, they will always find a way to connect with others.

Because storytelling, at its heart, is simply about sharing a piece of yourself… and trusting that it might light something beautiful in someone.