Interview with Award Winning Children's Author Lorraine Marwood

Welcome award winning children's author, Lorraine Marwood to Books for Little Hands.

When did you first know that you wanted to an author?

I think I can even remember where I was sitting in my classroom as an eight year old- the idea and desire just came into my mind and heart and has never left.

Congratulations on winning the Prime Minister's Literary Award for 2010 for your book, Star Jumps. 

Can you please tell us what inspired this story?

This is a story I’ve always wanted to write. I was a dairy farmer for 25 years together with my husband and we brought up our 6 children on the farm. As I began to write about farm life some editors thought this was an old fashioned topic! That seemed to make our contemporary labour and life obsolete. I wanted to show a real snapshot of what it was like to grow up on a dairy farm now. And I set Ruby, Keely and Connor at a turning point (which seems to be happening so much now on farms everywhere) as drought really strikes.

It isn’t autobiography, but there’s no way I can share a calf birthing scene unless I’d been there many, many times. I have to confess that the story was written more with saline tears than computer ink. We are now in a regional town and no longer farmers (well I’m not, my husband still works on a big wheat farm, part-time) and I’d like this book to become part of Australia’s social history.

Tell us about your other books.

My first verse novel with Walker was ‘Ratwhiskers and Me’ and a first venture into my love of poetry and my love of narrative and history. I grew up in Bendigo where gold was the feverish word a hundred and fifty years ago- there was a rich cultural mix of ‘diggers’ as well as the rich alluvial then quartz gold. I’ve always been fascinated by history. My childhood home and farm was once a Chinese market garden- I had the story simmering for years before it found voice. This is a novel of adventure and identity.

My other two books with Walker are collections of poetry- ‘A Ute picnic and other Australian poems’ and ‘Note on the Door and other poems about family’. Collections of poems are rare in today’s publishing world, so I value so much the fact that Walker love poetry. And I love writing poems. There are a great variety of poems in these collections from messy bedrooms to Black Saturday to family myths and a Ute picnic itself.

I also have two Aussie Nibbles ‘The Girl who turned into Treacle’ and ‘Chantelle’s Cloak’. As well as some educational readers and three poetry books with Five Island Press.

When and where do you like to write?

Ah, that one’s easy in a way- I like to write anywhere- a habit that came into being when my children were young and there was always plenty of constant farm work- life was in the fast lane- but even while hosing down the cow yard of a morning I could think and dream and observe- so much is observing and I seem to find details that often other people skim over.

I always have a note book with me and I can record down ideas, a line, a thought, a detail which later can be fully fleshed. Writing is a part of who I am – although some days there’s a drought in my note book and other days a flood of words. I somehow have to write long hand for poetry, but stories are computer birthed.

What's been a highlight of your career so far?

Hmm, one small but significant detail passed onto me by my daughter about a local farming family from our farming area, read ‘Star Jumps’ every night to her daughter and she wanted it read over and over again and wanted to know more about Ruby. That’s a highlight.

But of course so too is the validation of the Prime Minister’s award for my work- there’s nothing like a gold sticker on one’s work and the monetary reward is liberating- so long we labour and labour and recognition has many far reaching consequences. Poetry needs that recognition.

What advice would you give aspiring children's writers?

To read, to dream, to keep a diary, a journal with scraps of ideas, tickets, cards, newspaper cuttings, letters. To practice, to read about other authors and their journey, to know that anything worthwhile is never a straight road.

To join organisations like Writers’ centres, SWBCI, PIO (pass it on) online newsletter, go to writing festivals and workshops and network. Enter competitions and send work to magazines. Persevere. Be determined and have faith in yourself. Then read and write some more.

No scrap of writing is ever wasted it leads on and on and builds into the next piece of writing.

What do you like to do when you're not writing?

Ah, interact in many ways with my big family- I love to craft- sew; make cards, garden, read and op shop! And also to teach workshops and writing to many age groups.

What's next?

A new collection of poetry is due out with Walker in 2013 and I have a few re-writes of new projects to do… lots of exciting ventures coming up and I know that editing and re-writing is part of that ‘What’s next?’ Writing is such an exciting career.

Thankyou for asking me such wonderful questions Renee.

Interview with Children's Author Sandy Fussell

Welcome Children's Author, Sandy Fussell to Books for Little Hands.

When did you first know that you wanted to an author?

I’ve always loved stringing words together but I never thought about being an author. Although I was an almost obsessive reader, I never found anything that inspired me to want to write. When I had children I discovered how much I loved kids’ books but still the connection didn’t click into place. Then a truly terrible thing happened. My avid-reader 10-year-old son announced all books were boring and he was never going to read another one.

I tried every genre. I raided libraries and friend’s bookshelves. Finally in frustration I asked him to write me a story so I could see what he thought wasn’t boring. To my surprise he agreed, if I did the transcribing. It was a very random, erratic story and I kept trying to give advice. When the main character disappeared literally mid-page “because I don’t like girls any more. There are no girls in my book”, I insisted he explain where she went. He wasn’t putting up with any motherly pushy editorialism and gave me my marching orders. “Go write your own book, mum.”

I’ve been following his advice ever since.

Tell us about your book Polar Boy.

I read anything and everything but my preferred non-fiction subject is ancient history. I was reading about the traditional life of the Inuit people, and how in that cold, desolate Arctic environment, the way of life has not changed for over eight hundred years. The idea of history as both the past and present fascinated me. In addition, the Inuit people, despite their harsh lives, found great joy in their community and their land, which itself was incredibly beautiful and awing. I was inspired and just had to write about all this.

I began to imagine Iluak, a young boy frightened by his Ananasanq’s (Nana’s) prophecy that one day he must face the great bear. When I began the story I had a plot line loosely based increasingly scary encounters with polar bears – animals that truly frighten me. My research soon uncovered a different bear, the Viking ‘berserker’ which at this time was moving south into the migratory lands of the Baffin Island Inuit peoples. I had stumbled on the true meaning of Nana’s prophecy – a story of two very different cultures learning to share the land - and after that, Polar Boy wrote itself. I believe story writing is an organic process and these plot co-incidences happen to me all the time.

What inspired you to write The Jaguar Warrior?

Ever since I was a kid, Aztec history in particular has fascinated me - the stark dichotomy of an intelligent, artistic society best known for its gruesome religious practices. But for the Mexica (the Aztecs’ name for themselves), sacrifice was not a gory spectacle, but the means to ensure the sun rose and the world continued. I wanted to write a story against this contradiction and also to dispel some of the preconceptions my readers might have.

The image of Atl, imprisoned in a dark box, watching a spider spin its web in the only bead of sunlight while waiting to be sacrificed, came to me vividly and entire. I just had to find his story. History provided the clues and when the Spanish invaded, the high priest released Atl to take a plea for help to a nearby city. It’s also about slavery and obligation. Atl is chosen because he can run fast, but why would he run to save people who were going to kill him? His first instinct is to run in the opposite direction.

Where did the idea for the Samurai Kids come from?

Again, it’s my interest in ancient history. I grew up watching The Samurai on television and role-played samurai and ninja with the kids in my street. You cannot train to be a samurai. You have to be born into a samurai family. And if you were, there is no other choice. I started to think what it would be like if you didn’t want to follow your birth right. Or if you couldn’t for some reason that wasn’t your fault. Like you were born with one leg. That’s when Niya, my one-legged narrator, started to explain it to me. He also convinced me to ‘see for yourself’. So I stood one-legged in the back yard – quite pleased to have executed the ‘crane move’ – until I tried a one-legged karate kick. And that’s where the first paragraph came from:

‘Aye-eee-yah!’

I scissor kick high as I can and land on my left foot. I haven’t got another one. My name is Niya Moto and I’m the only one-legged samurai kid in Japan. Usually I miss my foot and land on my backside. Or flat on my face in the dirt.

I have met many disabled children, through family and work. Their persistence and self-belief and sense of humour in the most discouraging situations never ceases to amaze me. I wanted to write a piece of history for them and to reinforce that we can all give anything a go. No matter what. Some writers believe you should never write a message in a story. But to me a good story has its own inherent message. With help from Niya, Yoshi, Taji, Mikko, Kyoko and Sensei, Samurai Kids became not only a sword-waving, martial arts action story but a celebration of difference.

How much research was involved?

Heaps. I love research. I always spend a month ‘sleuthing around’ in a particular historical period before I begin to write – and then I keep researching until the story is complete. It’s the little things that I’m looking for - the story suggesters and the details to make my fiction authentic. Big historical events are just backdrop to me. I don’t write about them. But I still have to get all the facts right so I spend a lot of time reading texts, especially primary texts written at the time, watching documentaries and looking at images.

I also try to experience some of the things I am writing about. I went to sword fighting classes and took shakuhachi flute lessons. I was hopeless at both but it was useful research and provided wonderful stories to tell during school visits (and two practice bokkens to take with me – always of great interest to boys).

 

What were your favourite subjects at school?

I loved English and Ancient history and I can see how they have directly influenced me as a writer. But I also loved Maths and Computing which means I am very systematic with my research and love to make patterns with words. I don’t have a left or right side brain. I like to have a go at everything.

What did you like reading when you were growing up?

There were very few children’s books in the house I grew up in – just a few birthday gifts. My parents were not readers and didn’t value books. I was constantly looking for something to read. I read everything I could find – even Biggles! For my 12th birthday I asked for the Complete Works of Shakespeare. I didn’t understand a lot of it but I loved the music the words made when I read them aloud. I still remember the moment when as a new Year 7, I walked into the high school library. More books than I had ever seen in my whole life. Being a little bit ordered and mathematical I started at A. There I found Aldriss and Asimov and science fiction and fantasy quickly became my genres of choice. Favourite childhood books , now favourite adult books too, include The Chronicles of Narnia, Elidor, anything about the Arthurian Legend or Robin Hood, the Dune series and the Duncton Wood series.

What's been a highlight of your career so far?

I am fortunate to have had many ‘big’ moments even though I have only been published for five years. I call myself ‘the Cinderella author’ because magic just keeps happening. It was exciting to be shortlisted for CBCA Young Readers Book of the Year for Polar Boy, and to receive an IBBY award for White Crane but I think the greatest highlight was when I was the guest of honour at the Grenfell Festival of the Arts. It’s the longest running arts festival in Australia and past guests have included Patrick White, Thomas Keneally and Di Morrisey. I was a last-minute desperate choice when the high profile guest of honour cancelled at short notice due to health issues. My family live in the area so when my sister suggested me to a frantic committee member even though I had only written two books- they were just pleased to find someone willing to travel out west at very short notice.

The festival was wonderful and Grenfell made sure I didn’t feel like second choice. I think the community was quite proud that a quasi ‘one of their own’ was the guest of honour. The huge moment for me, was when I was watching the parade. Around the corner came a school dressed as my Samurai Kids. The parade stopped in front of me, the kids turned and bowed.’ Sensei’, they shouted. I just burst into tears.

What's next?

I have been experimenting with writing for other age groups. I have a picture book to be published by Walker Books Australia and I am currently finalising my first Young Adult novel. A seventh book in the Samurai Kids series, Red Fox, will be released in November 2012. The series is coming to an end and I am currently writing the last book, enjoying tying all the plot threads together.

I have a head full of ideas and scraps of writing to go with them – two new series, a historical novel and a historical fantasy. All for middle grade. While I have enjoyed my ventures into other readerships, I think in my heart I am still twelve years old – and that’s where I write.

Unicorn Riders: Where does Children's Author Aleesah Darlison find Inspiration?

Where did the idea for Unicorn Riders spring from?

A healthy childhood obsession. I was, and still am, fascinated by unicorns. I used to collect all sorts of figurines. And I used to imagine that unicorns were real. Now, when I write my books, I can make them real!

How did you create Avamay, the Unicorn Riders’ kingdom?

I’ve always wanted to write a book that included a map, so I really enjoyed the process of creating Avamay. I found I could be as imaginative as I wanted to be. 

I used maps from other books as a reference and just started drawing and adding in landmarks. Coming up with the place names was loads of fun. I really got a kick out creating places like the ‘Effervescent Falls’, the ‘Sea of Desperation’ and ‘Dove Mountain’.

Did you draw inspiration from your own world?

Many of the places in the Unicorn Riders are based on places I’ve travelled to such, as Istanbul (Turkey) and Delphi (Greece). Other Avamayan places have been inspired from places I’d like to visit like India and Cambodia. I used photos from my own album and from the internet to give me visual inspiration when creating these settings.

Do you use props or prompts to help you write?

I do, and I often have these all around my desk to help keep me inspired and focused. Things like unicorn paintings and figurines, charm bracelets, amulets and other jewellery that might feature in stories. Photos, maps and character avatars are all useful, too.

 http://aleesahdarlison.com/yahoo_site_admin/assets/docs/Unicorn_Riders_About_the_Author.27301042.pdf

What's your secret to writing strong and interesting girl characters?

  

I take little pieces of people I know or admire and build them into each character. Not to be direct clones or imitations, but rather to be a mixture of these people. I also make each character unique, giving her a complete history, a family background – things in the past that shape her personality, her actions and potentially her future. I try to make the girls are realistic as possible. And for the Unicorn Riders, I gave each of them a symbol that reflects their personality so readers can identify with them even more. For example, Quinn’s symbol is a butterfly which represents change and lightness. Over her short but dramatic life, Quinn has had to go through a lot of change and accept some big challenges that have been thrown at her!

How do you want to inspire your readers?

I want readers to enjoy my stories as fun, action adventures. I want them to enjoy the magic, beauty and mystique of the unicorns. But most importantly, I want readers to identify with the strong role models I’ve created in the Unicorn Riders’ characters and see that even if life throws challenges or hurdles at them, that with some inner fortitude and teamwork they can overcome them.

You have created some wonderful teacher resources and extension ideas for Unicorn Riders. Can you please tell us about them?

I can’t take the credit for the Teacher’s Notes, they were created by Leonie Jordan at Walker Books, the publisher of the Unicorn Riders series. I think they’re great! Not only do they give background information about me and Jill Brailsford, the illustrator for the series, they include some awesome activities, such as the Affirmations Game and the Make Your Own Riddle Game. There are a range of downloads and resources that teachers and children can find on my website, including Chapter Samplers, Colouring-in Pages, Character Profile Sheets and the Teacher’s Notes. The link is here:http://www.aleesahdarlison.com/resources__downloads

How did you come to get the series accepted for publication?

Right from the start, I wanted Unicorn Riders to be  a series. I wrote a very detailed Series Proposal as well as a synopsis for each story. I also wrote the first book in the series. I sent the series proposal and the ms to a major Australian publisher (unsolicited). It received quite a bit of interest, but no final acceptance. Still, I held out hope because the concept seemed very strong. By this time, I’d secured an agent and she was one who submitted it to Walker Books where it was accepted. I can tell you, that was a very exciting day in my career!

Interview with Author Katrina Germein

When did you first know you wanted to be an author?





When my ego told me. My first book Big Rain Coming was published more than ten years ago but I’ve only started to think of myself as an author more recently. I began writing stories without a plan. I just wrote whatever was in my head and I still do. It turns out my head is mainly full of stories for children. Of course once you have a book with your name on the cover you want another one, and then another, until eventually you grow quite fond of the idea of being an author!




What makes you passionate about writing?


I’m not special. I’m like most writers and simply write because when I don’t I get cranky. I think everyone needs a creative outlet to be truly happy. Writing is mine and I’m glad that I’m lucky enough to know exactly what it is that brings me peace.


What was your road to publication like?


I had a bit of a dream run at first but then things got a lot tougher. I’ve writtenabout some my experiences on my blog. Here http://www.katrinagermein.com/blog/picture-books-publication-part-1/ and and here http://www.katrinagermein.com/blog/picture-books-publication-part-2/ . I’m fortunate now to have an agent. It makes the whole process less painful.

Tell us about your books.


Because I write about my own experience my work is very Australian. It’s not something I try to specifically to do but my stories naturally reflect my own world. My books revolve around the characters’ relationships with each other and the natural environment. I write about things that children care about and include the repetition and sometimes humour as well. My books are hopeful and fun.

Do you plan your picture books? If so, how?

Sometimes I brainstorm a list of notes on a scrap of paper to organise my ideas before I begin writing any prose. I keep note books handy for ideas that announce themselves at unexpected times but I don’t do any structured planning. I usually have a fair idea of where a story is going before I sit down to write it because the most planning I do is in my head. I don’t start drafting until the idea has been dancing around in my mind for a while. Sometimes a story will still surprise me with the direction it takes on the page. I definitely don’t plan using storyboards or anything like that. I find thinking too much 
about the format of a picture book interrupts
the flow of my writing.


How do you present to children during author visits?




I enjoy author visits. I used to be a teacher and have always worked with children in a variety of roles so it’s really nice to connect with kids through author visits. When I visit schools I encourage children to see that everyone has their own stories and their ideas that are special to them. I vary my presentations depending on the age of the children. In Primary school I always show children some pictures of my family and talk about my dog. It helps to build a rapport in a short space of time. I also show them my messy drafts and talk about the writing process. With preschoolers I include singing to keep them involved and use more props which they can all hold and look at at the end of the session. And of course, we read lots of stories!


What’s next?



My next picture book is called ‘Somebody’s House’. It will be published by Walker Books and I can’t wait to see it all finished. Anthea Stead is creating some stunning illustrations and I’m really excited about how the book is taking shape. I love watching a story I have written grow into a book. I think it’s the third best part of the job. The very best part is the actual writing process and the second best part is sharing the finished book with children.

Interview with Children's Author/Editor of Walker Books (Australia) Sue Whiting

      

When did you first know you wanted to be an author?

                                                        

I fell in love with children's literature as a young teacher. But it wasn't until I was in my late twenties that the desire to write started to flare. (Quite unexpectedly.)  I kept  a lid on it for another ten years before the desire became too strong and I had to give it a crack.

What makes you passionate about writing?

I love story. I love the way we, as human beings, connect with story and are changed because of it. And there is nothing better than being lost inside your own stories, listening to your characters as they tell you what's on their minds and watching them as they solve the problems and challenges you throw their way.

What was the road to publication like for you?

Rocky. As it is for most and I built quite a hefty pile of rejection letters along the way. But I was advised early on that the key to success was to continue to write and write to improve my craft and to never give up – to persevere no matter what. It was excellent advice.

Tell us about your books.

I write books for all age groups, ranging from picture books for the very young to novels for teens. My most recent books include a novel for 10 – 14 year olds, set in a coastal tourist town one blistering and bushfire-filled summer, Get a Grip, Cooper Jones, and an Aussie Nibble chapter book, illustrated by by Stephen Michael King. 

Can you please describe a typical day?

I rise early as I am on the train to work at seven am. It is a long commute, so I use the time wisely: working on my work in progress and reading manuscripts etc. I am Publishing Manager at Walker Books, so the day in the office is always very busy and there never seems enough time to do all the tasks I hope to complete each day. But is a rewarding job and I feel privileged to work with such a talented team and with so many wonderful creators. The home commute is a time to chill, but also to tinker with my writing as well. Once I get home, I have a few hours of the usual dinner, telly and family stuff, then if I still have some energy, a little more time on my writing. 

What are you involved in over book week?

I have the week off from my day job and am on the "road" traversing from one end of Sydney to the other to schools and libraries to talk to kids about books and writing. Sixteen sessions, approximately 800+ children – it's a busy week, but also lots of fun and I always come home feeling inspired. 


Are you doing anything for literacy week?


I'm flying up to Brisbane for the Ipswich Literature Festival, Brisbane Writers' Festival and the CYAconference.

What's the best part about conducting workshops and presenting?

Presenting truly is my favourite part of the job. The opportunity to share my passion for books and reading and writing with kids is a joy. And the chance to share my own stories and to witness firsthand what works well is priceless. To coin a phrase from my picture book, The Firefighters: I love it. I really do!


What's your secret to presenting to children?

  My top tips:

• Be prepared – rehearse and refine your presentations. 
• Be flexible – always have a plan B.
• Props and dress-ups, visuals and variety – all help to keep the kids engaged.
• Incorporate some audience participation.
• Don't rely on technology. 

Where do you write?

Everywhere and anywhere. I have a home office/study that I share with my family, and a small writing nook in a spare bedroom, but these days much of my writing is done on my laptop wherever I happen to be: on the train on my trip to work, in cafes, on the sofa. My favourite time and place is sitting up in bed with my laptop on a Sunday morning.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

Spare time? What's that? I spend a lot of my spare time reading and writing, but I also like to go on very long walks and enjoy the bush and the beach near where I live. 

What do you like to read?

I read a variety of genres, but at the moment I think I enjoy reading Australian YA the most. I love the honesty within the pages, the raw emotion and heart, and the fresh voices. My favourite books of all time include The Book Thief, Marcus Zusak and To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee.

What advice would you give aspiring writers?


Read and read and read. Write and write and write. Remember that writing is a craft and requires time and effort. Write from your heart. Never give up!