Interview Questions for Michael Ngang: No Color and Smile
1. Why should your messages matter to listeners?
My message is to help children around the world who suffer from bullying, mental heath or social issues and feel there is no where to turn to. There are a lot of parents that don’t support their children. Due to work schedule, stress, economical status etc. Which can cause a child with potential to never see it. I want every child to see themselves in the story and take away a message they can apply to their life as they grow into their own.
2. Having an intention to make a difference in children’s lives is a power purpose. What in your background made you take that stand?
My whole life I have felt I had a story to tell. I have been through a lot mentally and I want other children to be able to understand there are ways to deal with stress. You can always turn negativity into positivity. Negativity will only manifest if you let it.
3. How does your family background that informs your message?
I grew up in a middle class home, however my parents were always busy with work so I feel they never were able to connect with their children. This has caused trauma and disconnect as we all grew older. I don’t want other parents to make the mistake of not connecting with their children. These titles open a conversation they can have with their child.
4. What was your initial inspiration to write children’s books?
My inspiration for writing started with my sister being diagnosed with Schizophrenia which started the process of No Color. The objective was to incorporate a symptom of Schizophrenia that my sister deals with, and input that into the book. Which is why the reader see’s the perspective of Artsy v. the perspective of reality. It is a deep book for adults, but age appropriate for children to read and understand the context from their perspective.
5. In a world full of conflict and people’s frustrations Smile has a powerful message. Can you share some of the story?
Smile comes from a place of anyone who is in a situation their heart honestly and truly doesn’t want to be in. We all have decisions, and Smile shows what we can do in our daily lives to achieve or maintain our Smile. I have read about many children taking their own lives due to being bullied at school and feeling they don’t have anybody to talk to. I want to be that channel to let children know there is always someone willing to listen and even help you. We just have to make them feel comfortable enough to speak to us.
6. What is one thing you hope your readers will gain from reading your books?
I want EVERY adult to see the deeper message and share their experiences with their children. It will open a channel of communication. Sharing a story with your child or student can help them on a personal level understand that others deal with similar situations they have gone through in their early stages of life.
7. Besides buying your books how can people help to carry the message?
The best way is to always be engaged with your children’s school activities and homework. Being close enough for them to want to reach out to you if their in trouble, but not overwhelm them to feel they cant make their own decisions. Finding that middle ground to provide them with self-love and confidence, but to also know I have parents if ever I need help.
8. What are some events you have lined up to speak and share your message?
I have speaking engagements at several local elementary schools, where I speak to the children and inspire them to chase their dreams. Also for them to understand that they have to be practice to achieve whatever goal they set for themselves. The purpose is for every child to reach their potential.
9. Where are the books available?
Our titles are available at HyypeBooks.com & Amazon.com
10. What more will people learn by going to your website www.HyypeBooks.com?
They will understand our mission, and what our titles are set out to do. How we have incorporated a workshop around our titles and see how engaged children our when they are apart of our program. We know once we begin to speak with the children and start the activities that are different then what a typical school day is they fall in love with no just the books, but the message. That’s all we ask for.
11. What activities do you all do within your workshop/program with children?
We do a lot of improv and scenarios that the children make-up themselves and we resolve the scenario and show the children steps how they can stop a situation or negate the scenario all together. We do creative writing prompts to help them begin to work towards their goals and finding what they are passionate about.
12. What do you have planned for future titles?
For future titles I want to create a series of characters each providing their own message. With hopes of creating an animated series for children so they can see superhero’s don’t always have to wear a cape.