by Timothy Pike

This month, Zane Carson Carruth, award-winning author of illustrated children’s books from Houston, Texas, joins us for an interview.

Her latest book, Abella and the Haunted House, stars the adventurous fairy Abella and her best friend, Darcie. Abella is even set to star in a TV series, so I asked Zane what she thought of the world of showbiz. By the way, wait until you hear whom Abella is modeled after …

What struck me about Zane is that her passions and interests go far beyond writing. She’s a recognized etiquette expert, has won a slew of awards (both for her writing and for her achievements in life and business), and serves on a number of local non-profit boards for causes she holds dear.

She’s not originally from Houston, though. She comes from a small town that—wait, why am I giving it all away? Have a read and discover this bestselling author for yourself!

Thanks for joining us this month, Zane. Are you from Houston originally? What do you like best about living there?

I am not a native Houstonian. I grew up in a small rice-farming community about seventy-five miles south of Houston, called El Campo, Texas. It was the textbook Friday Night Lights experience. With a population of 13,000 folks, you knew everyone, and everyone knew you and your business—real or perceived, I’m afraid.

I’ve lived in Houston over forty years and love it. The arts and museum district are second to none, as well as the first-class restaurants and theaters. The world’s largest rodeo, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo (HLSR) is a must-see and -do every March for tens of thousands of people. It holds a special place in my heart, as my husband was chairman of the board of the rodeo for 2021–2023. I served as first lady of the rodeo, a position I took very seriously.

HLSR is a non-profit organization that donates at least $25 million each and every year for college and trade school scholarships. It is also a tremendous revenue-producing event, lasting twenty-eight days. However, the rodeo is not the only shining star in Houston. We have a world-class hospital system that draws thousands of people from all corners of the earth looking for excellent medical care. Our medical community is second to none in the world.

What got you interested in writing books for children?

I originally thought I would write a fiction book for adults. I never considered writing a children’s book. It all happened by accident. After I wrote the first one, I was hooked.

How did the idea for Abella come to you?

I wrote my first children’s book quite by accident over thirty years ago. I have always loved to write, and one afternoon, to pass time, I picked up a spiral notebook and pen and started writing a story about a little fairy. I patterned the fairy after my daughter, and with her in mind I created a story of a fun-loving, girly-girl fairy on a big adventure. Abella looks like my daughter as well, with long, blond, thick hair, and big, blue eyes.

Does your expertise in etiquette influence your stories in any way?

Etiquette influences me and my life in every way, I’m sorry to say. I can’t get out of my own way. I have a hard time using improper grammar in my stories, even when necessary to define a character. I could never allow Abella or Darcie to behave in a way contrary to proper etiquette and protocol. I have not written a book about Abella going to etiquette school, but it’s inevitable—of that I am certain.

My biggest mistake was not trusting my own instincts. I would listen to others’ advice and go against my gut feeling.

What is one thing that made all the difference in helping you succeed as an author?

When I first started writing, I was very wordy, and my first book was very long. I used way too many unnecessary words and imagery for a child’s picture book. My books are geared for kids ages 1–8, and their attention spans are not very long. I had to rewrite and re-publish the original book several times to get it to the length it is now. It pained me to delete so much of the descriptions of the scenes, but I had to. I learned most parents don’t want to read pages and pages of dialogue or scenes to their children, and kids lose interest if the story lingers. Tell the story, and put the words “The End” sooner versus later.

Did you take any wrong turns you’d like to help others avoid?

My overall biggest mistake was not trusting my own instincts. I would listen to others’ advice and input and go against my gut feeling. I am sad to say I did that more than once and had to rewrite and re-publish another book to get it the way I wanted it. That was certainly a stumbling block, but I’m definitely richer for the experience. I now trust my instincts and have had a much smoother publishing experience.

Do you write every day, or have any daily writing rituals?

I do not write every day. I would love to find the time to write etiquette articles or more than one book a year, but my husband and I travel a lot. I do have a writing ritual that has served me well these last few books: I will have a big picture idea about what the book is going to be about and a lot of smaller ideas for plots, etc., before I start. But I found trying to fit all that in and say everything I’m thinking about just stressed me out. I remembered my first book just wrote itself and surprised me because I didn’t put any pressure on myself with the story line. I wrote effortlessly, and the story developed at its own pace. I take that approach now. With pen in hand, I start writing, and the story will unfold naturally. I guide it along, but I no longer go into the process with strict guidelines about the story line.

How do you decide which non-profit boards you want to serve on?

I like to put my energies into causes that have a heartbeat. If an animal or person is involved, I’m going to consider joining the board when asked. My husband, on the other hand, is all parks and green space. Another rule of thumb is we have to have a passion about the subject. I love animals, and supporting the Houston SPCA was a given when asked. I also love live theater, so the Houston Grand Opera and TUTS (Theatre Under the Stars) were naturals.

As you venture into the world of TV, has anything surprised you about show business?

I am not very far into the process, but I can say the length of time it takes to get anything accomplished is frustrating. I am also an advisor for a pilot of a children’s television series, and that has been an eye opener. The amount of talent and dedication these artists have is mind boggling. All the artists, songwriters, and scriptwriters are privately contracted and do not represent a studio. But they all love their crafts and work tirelessly on them.

What’s next on the horizon for you?

I would like to put together a book tour in the UK. I sell a lot of books in the UK and Germany and think it would be great to start in London and have a book tour. Since I don’t speak German, that is a non-starter. And of course, write another fun book. I plan on writing a sequel to the book Abella and the Almost Racehorse.

Zane Carson Carruth is an award-winning international children’s book author and certified business etiquette and protocol professional. She sits on numerous non-profit boards in Houston, Texas, and is the vice president of Carruth Foundation. There are currently seven books in her trademarked series The World’s First Tooth Fairy … Ever. Her children’s books have won awards such as the Story Monsters Seal of Approval, the Story Book of Approval, the Purple Dragonfly Book Award, and the Parent and Teacher Choice Award from HowtoLearn.com. Zane was honored to be named an ABC13 Woman of Distinction, Top Inspiring Woman Impact Maker, and an honoree of the Houston Business Journal‘s Women Who Mean Business Award. Her book series is available on Amazon in English and Spanish.

Learn more about Zane at her author website and book series website, and connect with her on Facebook, Instagram, and X.