Virginia Hamilton is a highly acclaimed author who lives in Yellow Springs, Ohio. She has written numerous books for young people, including The House of Dies Drear, M. C. Higgins, the Great, Bluish, Cousins, Drylongso, and The People Could Fly: American Black Folktales, from which this selection was taken. Many of Hamilton's books have won major awards. Here, she answers a few questions about her writing.

When and how did you decide to retell "The People Could Fly"?

I was working on putting together a collection of folktales for my publishers. Somehow, it didn't flow and I couldn't seem to find its center. And then, I came across various Flying African sources, bits and pieces of stories and eventually, discovered a complete story. The action of Flying—magical flight—is, of course, the slaves' wish fulfillment of getting free. I knew I had the center concept for the book and that the Flying African story would come last, the final story in this 24-story book.

In your mind, what does it mean when the people fly away?

The spirit lifting. The will to be free. Freedom.

This story is a haunting one. Did you find it difficult to write about the horrible things that happened to enslaved peoples? If so, how did you overcome those feelings?

I've written entire books about people who are enslaved and become free. I call books such as The People Could Fly Liberation Literature. When we read about people who are enslaved and who find a way to free themselves, we find that through their struggle we gain a sense of freedom for ourselves. And we feel a spiritual liberation. My own grandfather was a fugitive who found freedom in the north. On the contrary rather than stories of slavery making me feel bad or my finding it difficult to write them, I felt absolutely committed to presenting the truth to young people about this disturbing and horrible aspect in American history.

How did you decide to become a writer? How did you determine the types of writing you liked to do best? Why do you write for young people?

I don't think I really decided. It is something I always remember doing. I started writing things down in grade school. I majored in writing and literature in college. I write for young people because I discovered that children's literature allows me the most freedom and diversity in subject matter. And I adore children, find their concerns interesting and intriguing. By trying various kinds of writing, I found out what was most enjoyable for me to create. I do love novel writing but it is the most difficult, I think.

What in your life most influences your writing?

Probably my rural background. Most all of my books have town or country settings. Two of them have taken place in New York City. Family and kinship have been a big influence on the generational type of writing I do. My books are full of friends, cousins, aunts and uncles, grandparents, parents, and so on.

What advice would you give to young people trying to become writers themselves?

I think young people should read books and write something each day, if they intend to become writers. Also, there are many magazines for children that are looking for stories and pictures young people make. It would be good if they took a chance at submitting their work to these magazines. The magazines for children can be found in libraries.