Behind the Magic of Crow: Thief of Magic: A Q&A with Fiona Dixon

We caught up with Fiona Dixon, the author of Crow: Thief of Magic, to find out where the story began, which characters were the most fun to write, and what she hopes readers will take from Crow’s journey. She also shares the dream that inspired the book, the real-life cat behind Nekima, and the kind of dream she’d create herself.

You can also purchase the book and activity pack, complete with an exclusive bookplate signed by Fiona Dixon, here.

What first inspired you to write Crow: Thief of Magic?
The initial inspiration for this story actually came from a dream! I had a vivid image of a ragged, dark-haired boy walking through the snow, and a room full of bottles of magical dreams. I started writing, eager to discover who this boy was, why he was out in the snow, and what the connection was between him and the mysterious dreams.

Were there any myths, legends, or real-life influences behind the story?
I’ve always loved fairy tales and this has definitely influenced the overall feel of the story. There’s definitely a sense of ‘be careful what you wish for’, as Crow discovers a way out of the Underworld, but only at a great cost – and that his new life isn’t as idyllic as he’d imagined. And fairy tales are full of talking animals, too!

Which character was the most enjoyable (or the most difficult) to write, and why?
That’s a tricky question, as I loved writing all of them! I had a lot of fun with Nekima, but I also really enjoyed writing Viktor. He’s a complex character and I wanted to keep readers guessing about him throughout the book.

Which chapter or scene did you find the most challenging to write?
Probably Chapter 17, where Viktor introduces Crow to the Nightmare Room. It wasn’t difficult to write as such, but I really felt for Crow as he experienced the power of the nightmares for the first time – I actually had goosebumps while writing it!

What do you hope younger readers, in particular, will take away from Crow’s journey?
When he takes up the apprenticeship with Viktor, Crow has to learn how to use his magic and figure out how to navigate the new world he finds himself in – and who he can trust. Even when the challenges Crow has to face seem impossible, he never gives up hope – and with the support of his friends, Sal, Jonas and Nekima – he manages to find a way to overcome them. I believe that even in the darkest of times, hope can change the world – something which is just as important for young readers as it is for the characters in this story. While their own situations and circumstances may be very different from what Crow experiences, I hope they’ll find something that resonates with them here.

Nekima plays quite an important role in the story – do you have a cat of your own?
My lovely cat, Jasper, was often by my side while I was writing Crow: Thief of Magic, and he provided a lot of inspiration for Nekima. Sadly he’s no longer with us, but I now have two rescue cats, Milo and Ovi. They’re brothers but have very different personalities. Milo is really curious and always has to know what’s going on, whereas Ovi is my little shadow and loves to snuggle.

If you could create a dream yourself, what kind of dream would you make?
Definitely a flying dream! I’ve always wondered what it would feel like to soar through the sky.