Ever wondered what goes into creating a magical world filled with fairies, enchanted forests, and whimsical adventures? Today, I’m pulling back the curtain to share the creative journey behind the Teelie Turner fairy book collection.
The Spark of Inspiration
Every fairy tale begins with a single spark of magic—sometimes it’s a dream, other times it’s a quiet moment in nature where the world seems to shimmer with possibility. For me, inspiration often strikes in the most unexpected places: watching sunlight filter through trees, observing how morning dew clings to spider webs, or simply imagining what adventures might unfold in the hidden corners of our everyday world.
The Teelie Turner series was born from a simple question: What if fairies really did exist, and they had their own vibrant world parallel to ours? From that question emerged an entire universe—complete with its own rules, magical systems, characters with depth and dreams, and stories that speak to both children and the child within every adult.
Building the Fairy World
Creating a believable fantasy world requires more attention to detail than you might imagine. It’s not enough to simply say “fairies exist”—I needed to understand:
- How does their magic work?
- What are its limits and possibilities?
- What does their society look like?
- Do they have families, jobs, celebrations?
- Where do they live?
- The enchanted forests, hidden gardens, and secret fairy villages all needed to feel real?
- What challenges do they face?
Even in a magical world, characters need obstacles to overcome.
Each book in the collection expands this world further. Teelie Turner and the Christmas Fairy explores how fairies celebrate the holiday season. Every story adds another layer to this rich, interconnected universe.
The Writing Process: From Idea to Published Book
Many aspiring authors ask me about my writing process, so let me share the journey a Teelie Turner story takes from concept to completed book:
Step 1: Character Development
Before I write a single word of the story, I spend time getting to know my characters. Teelie herself has evolved over the years—she’s brave but still learning, magical but makes mistakes, adventurous yet sometimes scared. I create detailed character profiles, including:
- Background and family history
- Personality traits and quirks
- Fears and aspirations
- How they speak and interact with others
- Their role in the larger fairy world
Step 2: Plotting the Adventure
While I love letting characters guide the story organically, I always start with a solid outline. Each Teelie Turner adventure follows a journey structure:
1. The Ordinary World – Where we find Teelie at the beginning
2. The Call to Adventure – A problem or mystery that needs solving
3. The Journey – Challenges, new friends, obstacles to overcome
4. The Climax – The moment of truth where Teelie must be brave.
5. The Resolution – How the experience changes Teelie and her world.
Step 3: The First Draft
This is where the magic truly happens—and it’s messier than you might think! My first drafts are filled with:
- Conversations that wander
- Descriptions that get too wordy
- Plot holes I’ll need to fix
- “Notes to self” about details to add later
- Moments of pure creative flow where the story writes itself
- The key is to keep writing without judging. The internal editor comes later.
Step 4: Revision and Polish
This is where a good story becomes a great one. I typically revise each book 5-7 times, each time focusing on different aspects:
Revision 1: Big picture plot and pacing
Revision 2: Character consistency and development
Revision 3: World-building details and continuity
Revision 4: Dialogue and voice
Revision 5: Line-by-line prose polishing
Revisions 6-7: Final tweaks based on beta reader feedback
Step 5: Illustrations and Design
The visual elements bring the fairy world to life in ways words alone cannot. Working with talented illustrators to capture the essence of the characters and magical settings is one of my favorite parts of the process. Each illustration is carefully planned to enhance the story and spark young readers’ imaginations.
The Challenges of Writing Fantasy for Children
Writing for young readers comes with unique challenges and responsibilities. I want to create stories that are:
- Engaging but age-appropriate – Adventure and excitement without nightmare fuel.
- Magical yet relatable – Even fairies deal with friendship issues, self-doubt, and learning experiences.
- Educational without being preachy – Lessons about kindness, bravery, and believing in yourself woven naturally into the narrative.
- Diverse and inclusive – A fairy world that reflects the beautiful diversity of our real world.
- Imaginative yet grounded – Wild creativity balanced with emotional authenticity.
Finding Time to Write: The Practical Side
Aspiring authors often ask: “How do you find time to write?” The truth is, you don’t find time—you make it. Here’s what works for me:
- Morning Pages: I write for 30 minutes every morning before the day’s demands take over
- Writing Sprints: Focused 25-minute sessions using the Pomodoro Technique
- Voice Notes: When inspiration strikes while driving or doing chores, I record ideas to transcribe later.
- Dedicated Writing Days: One day per week is sacred writing time, protected from other obligations.
- Accepting Imperfection: Some days I only write 100 words, other days 3,000. Both count as progress.
The Joy of Connecting with Readers
The most rewarding part of this creative journey isn’t the writing itself—it’s hearing from young readers who’ve fallen in love with Teelie and her magical world. Parents tell me about:
- Children who suddenly love reading because they discovered Teelie Turner
- Bedtime is becoming a cherished ritual of reading together
- Kids who dress up as their favorite fairy characters
- Young readers who’ve started writing their own fairy stories
- These stories fuel my creativity and remind me why I do this work. Every email, every review, every photo of a child curled up with one of my books makes the challenging moments worthwhile.
What's Next for Teelie Turner?
The fairy world continues to expand! I’m currently working on new adventures that will:
- Introduce fascinating new magical creatures
- Explore different seasons and celebrations in the fairy realm
- Deepen the relationships between beloved characters
- Take Teelie to new enchanted locations
- Address themes that young readers have asked about
I can’t share all the details yet (spoilers!), but I can promise more magic, more adventure, and more heart.
Advice for Aspiring Writers
If you dream of creating your own magical worlds, here’s my advice:
- Start writing today. Don’t wait for the “perfect time” or until you feel “ready.” You learn to write by writing.
- Read voraciously. The best writers are avid readers. Study the books you love and analyze what makes them work.
- Create what you wish existed. Write the stories you wanted to read as a child but couldn’t find.
- Build a community. Connect with other writers, join critique groups, find your people who understand the creative journey.
- Be patient with yourself. Every published author started as an unpublished one. Every expert was once a beginner.
- Believe in your magic. If you can imagine it, you can create it.
Join the Magical Journey
The Teelie Turner fairy tale collection is available at Teelie Turner Author, where you can explore the complete series, discover new releases, and join our community of fairy tale enthusiasts.
Whether you’re a young reader ready for adventure, a parent seeking quality children’s literature, or a fellow writer on your creative journey, there’s room for you in the magical world of Teelie Turner.
After all, as we say in the fairy realm: Magic is real when you believe in it.
“Magic is real when you believe in it—and stories help us remember how.”
About the Author
Teelie Turner is the creator of the beloved fairy tale series featuring enchanted adventures, magical creatures, and timeless lessons about courage, friendship, and believing in yourself. Her books include Tbie Tinker and The Lost Candy Factory, The Adventures of Pirate Pete Series, Gigi the Chis Magical Fairy, and so many more!
