Not long ago WotN received a fan letter, as she does, and which she has put on her website - in her bi-monthly newsletter (#9) - with the permission of the young girl who wrote it. I'm reproducing Uty's letter here, not because I think WotN needs any more publicity, but because I just love the language and the spirit of it:
Dear Miss Geras,If one could read things like that every day.I am very glad to write this letter to you. My name is Utibeima (Uty for short) Utin. I am a girl of ten years old. I live with my parents and my favourite colour is blue. I enjoy reading your books and I am a fan of your work.
I love to read your books and I also admire books of fairytales, folk stories, [diaries] and emotional/dramatic. I am really inspired by your books to be a writer myself and it would be wonderful if you could tell me your secrets of writing fantastic books. The way I sometimes use to write little stories is to daydream about them, writing down any thoughts of a brilliant story that comes up in my mind. You are my idol and I am trying with all my focus to write and be a successful woman like you. It would please me so much if you could write back or send anything to teach or encourage me to be like you.
My favourite snacks are sweet, all types of them. Another reason why I decided to write so many poems and stories is that at my old school in Nigeria, where I used to live, my teacher said that I was hopeless at writing.. I write these stories at home on my own, just to keep me busy and also at school. I also started writing to prove the teachers wrong. Please help me to be a brilliant writer. I hope you will consider my letter favourably.