Today I went into the city to eavesdrop on Indigenous Literacy Day events. At the State Library I arrived in time for a Meet The Author presentation by Gladys Milroy and Sharyn Egan, who were answering questions from an enthusiastic school group. Gladys Milroy has written a title in the Waarda series, The Great Cold and Sharyn Egan was talking about illustrating Dead Man’s Gold (written by Michael Torres).
Gladys Milroy and Sharyn Egan talking about their books. (ILD 2010)
Off in another room, Cheryl Kickett-Tucker was talking to two more school groups (and her gorgeous baby was with her too!). She talked about how there were different ways you could tell a story—not just writing a book, but also perhaps plays, movies, music with or without lyrics, collage, news stories and even more. She talked about how she loved writing in a diary when she was growing up. (Even if her brother did show it around to everyone and embarrass her!) She also read two chapters from her new book, Barlay!, and showed some photos of the scenery around Rocky Pool, where the book is set.
Cheryl Kickett-Tucker, reading a chapter from her new book. (IDL 2010)
While the authors and illustrators were off having lunch and resting their voices, school groups were taking part in The Great Book Swap—looking through piles of books on trestle tables at the State Library. So many books!
Gladys Milroy and Sally Morgan waiting for their session to begin in the Art Gallery. (ILD 2010)
Next I stopped by the art gallery where two groups of children were busy experimenting with story and art, guided by Sharyn Egan, Gladys Milroy and Sally Morgan. Sharyn Egan talked about how sometimes you need to make lots of little sketches and play around a little to find what it is that you want to draw. And she pointed out there are different ways of looking at things (like an aerial view, rather than looking straight on)—which echoed what Cheryl Kickett-Tucker had said about storytelling earlier.
I thoroughly enjoyed meeting some more WA writers and illustrators, and hearing about where they find their inspiration!
Indigenous Literacy Day aims to raise funds for the Indigenous Literacy Project. You can read about the project on the ILP website, and donate while you’re over there. There are also a number of bookshops participating in Indigenous Literacy Day by donating a percentage of their sales on 1 September 2010 to the Indigenous Literacy Project.
Alphabet Soup magazine is donating 10% of all orders today to the ILP (and until 5 September, if you add a note ‘ILD order,’ we’ll count it with today’s orders!). Subscribe via our website! (It’s only $29.80 for a 1-year subscription!)
Some of you probably remember me posting before about when I was growing up and listening to my dad’s terrible jokes and bad puns. I recently read a new picture book by Katrina Germein—and she could have been talking about MY DAD! So I invited Katrina to visit our blog today to talk about My Dad Thinks He’s Funny (illustrated by Tom Jellett). Here’s a taste:
Katrina Germein is celebrating her new book My Dad Thinks He's Funny.
My dad doesn’t like babysitting.
He says no one should sit on babies.
My dad doesn’t eat seafood.
He says there’s something fishy about it.
My dad doesn’t lie in bed.
He says you should always tell the truth.
My dad thinks he’s funny.
Congratulations on your new book, Katrina! When you were growing up, did your dad make all the jokes in My Dad Thinks He’s Funny?
A peek inside the book!
I’m lucky because I grew up with two dads, my father and my step father. My dad likes to tell long stories and my step dad likes to recite silly poems. Mainly, the jokes in My Dad Thinks He’s Funny came from lots of other people.
Once I had the idea for the book I started listening out for jokes and every time I heard one I would write it down. My father-in-law probably contributed the most but there are also jokes from my sister-in-law, my brother and my husband. I was looking for the kind of jokes that make us roll our eyes and also make us laugh.
Once I had a collection of ‘dadisms’ I decided to write the book from the point of view of a child. I wanted to create a story that was warm and humorous, rather than just a collection of jokes.
What does your family think about you using their best jokes in your book?
I think my father-in-law is quite proud to see some of his best material in print! He jokes that I should share the royalties from the book with him.
Now you have your own kids—do they hear these jokes from their dad (or your dad or stepdad)?
Yes! Unfortunately it runs in the family and my husband tells jokes just like his dad.
What’s your favourite joke from the book?
My favourite page is the one where the little boy asks, “Dad, do you know what?” and Dad answers, “I don’t know What, but I know his brother.” That makes me laugh every time. It’s one of the hardest jokes for very small kids to understand but children who are seven or over really like it.
What is the best way to deal with a ‘dad joke’? (Do you roll your eyes?)
Usually I just laugh. I actually think they’re funny!
Katrina Germein is the author of many children’s books, including My Dad Thinks He’s Funny, Little Dog and Big Rain Coming.
You can find out more about Katrina Germein and her books by visiting her website, her blog, Twitter, and her Facebook page.
Dr John Long is a palaeontologist and a writer of fiction and nonfiction for children, including The Big Picture Book of Human Civilisation. We interviewed Dr Long about writing nonfiction, and you can read some of his answers in the spring 2010 issue of Alphabet Soup magazine. We couldn’t fit all of his answers in the magazine—so we thought we’d post the whole interview here. Read on!
Why did you become a writer?
I have always enjoyed writing since my school days. I used to write essays for the school magazine about dinosaurs and other prehistoric animals and later in high school I contributed poems to the school magazine. I think enjoying reading is the first step towards thinking about writing. I read lots of books and enjoy trying my hand at writing for different levels of factual information, from straight nonfiction information books to occasional works of fiction where I can really indulge in using my imagination. (I’ve actually published 3 children’s novels.)
What do you love best about being a writer?
Using my imagination and trying to think of new ways to present information that is engaging and inspiring to my readers. I also love that moment when your new book comes out and you get to hold it in your hand.
Where do you live?
Currently I’m living in Santa Monica, a beach-side town within Los Angeles in the USA. It’s a great place with plenty of open space, where mountains meet the Pacific Ocean. It’s a groovy neighbourhood to be part of.
Do you have any pets?
Yes a white fluffy cat called Molly. We saved her from the RSPCA cat haven and have recently flown her over from Australia to be with us in the USA. I reckon she must be the first member of her family to travel overseas! She loves watching squirrels and hummingbirds from our balcony.
You’ve written fiction and nonfiction books for children. What’s different about writing a nonfiction book?
Writing nonfiction means you have to be accurate with your facts and figures, so there’s a lot of research work goes into making sure everything is correct. This often involves me ringing up professional friends who have specialist knowledge in some fields, or checking library references.
Was it easy to get your first book published?
It took quite a bit of work. I had an idea to write a book about Australian dinosaurs back in 1989 and wrote a sample section and did the drawings myself then sent it off to a number of publishers. After a few months I received an letter from a publisher saying they liked the idea and wanted to offer me a contract. That book, Dinosaurs of Australia, was published in 1991 and has been reprinted 2 times since (1993, 1998).
Are there any downsides to being a writer?
Yes, sometimes you commit to writing a book and as the deadline draws closer to deliver the final manuscript, you realise you have a lot more work to do, so you end up writing at nights and working all weekends to meet those deadlines. Also once the writing is done and you have your book in press with a publisher, you then have a lot of subsequent work checking proofs and organizing illustrations, and permissions for using artwork, which can also take up lots of time when you least expected it.
What was your favourite book as a child?
I loved The Hobbit by Tolkien and also The Lord of the Rings but I only worked my way through the latter in my teenage years.
How do you do your research for a book?
As a scientist (paleontologist) by trade I am already accomplished in doing research work. I know that I can search databases for primary information from scientific and history journals, search museums collections for suitable objects to illustrate my writing, and can even ring up other experts in the field to get information or arrange to have my writing checked for accuracy.
When you write a book like The Big Picture Book of Human Civilisation, do you have to find your own photographs and images for the book?
As I have travelled the world extensively I sometimes draw upon my own images for some of my books, but most are sourced from photo libraries or as images form museums that the publisher can buy for use in a book. I use many of my own photos in both The Big Picture Book and The Big Picture Book of Environments but none of my own shots were used in TheBig Picture Book of Human Civilisation.
What do you like to do when you are not writing?
I love reading, exploring new places and bushwalking in wilderness environments.
Of your own books, which is your favourite?
Probably the book I am most proud of is The Big Picture Book, as I’ve received a lot of great feedback about it from both children and teachers in Australian schools when I give talks.
Would you like to have lived in another point in history?
No, I’m very happy living with our present levels of medical science and advanced technology right now, thank you very much.
Are you working on a book at the moment? Can you tell us something about it?
Yes I’m nearly always working on a new book at any time. I want to explain in very simple language for children How Do We Know Stuff?
How do you know when you read something in the paper, or on the internet or see it on TV that it is likely to be true or an approximation of the truth? So much information in the media is simply not accurate, and I want to provide kids with a bit of a roadmap to be able to decide for themselves how to determine the accuracy of information they find.
Do you have any advice for young writers (and in particular young writers of nonfiction)?
Yes, make sure you first know how to find reliable (i.e. accurate) information and then think about how you want to get it across to the reader in ways that haven’t been done before. Writing is much like speaking, if you can communicate vocally well you can generally write well. The trick is how you present your information to make it exciting and engaging, and this is where time is needed for thinking. Practise writing at any chance you get, the more you write, the better you become.
Have you ever thought it’s too hard to be a writer when you are still growing up? Keep writing, and don’t give up! We’re thrilled to have teenager, Laura Dudgeon, visiting us today. Her first book, Lilli and Her Shadow was published earlier this year. Laura Dudgeon was born in Darwin in 1993 and is descended from the Beniol Bardi people from north of Broome.
Before we begin, here’s a bit about the book.
Lilli and Her Shadow is a first chapter book about a girl whose family is moving to the city from the bush. Lilli is not looking forward to it and knows she’ll miss everything about the bush, including her cousins and especially her nan. But when she gets to the city, she discovers Nan has sent her something to help her settle in to her new place. A secret Shadow …
Lilli and Her Shadow is part of the Waarda series, a new Indigenous children’s series published by Fremantle Press. (Waarda is Nyungar for talking and sharing stories and information).
Lilli and Her Shadow was co-written with your aunt, Pat Dudgeon. How did you come to write the book?
I have been writing short stories ever since I was 8, so when Aunty Pat got this opportunity she asked me if I would like to be a co-author with her.
Is the character, Lilli, like you?
Yes she is. Lilly’s experiences and emotions where based on my own when I moved from Darwin to the big city of Perth when I was 8.
What do you love best about being a writer?
I love how I have no limits to the creation of a story. I have always had a wild imagination and putting it on paper and sharing it with others brings me great joy.
Is there any ‘downside’ to being a writer?
When you do something you love and get paid for it there really isn’t a downside.
When do you find time to write?
On the weekends and after school if I don’t have much homework.
What was your favourite book when you were younger?
Where’s Wally? I was interested in the adventures and trying to find Wally.
What sort of books do you like to read now?
Adventure books, scary books and books that I can relate to and give you something to think about.
Do you have any pets?
Yes, a miniature Fox Terrier crossed with a Jack Russell, named ‘Monty’.
Where did you get the idea for Lilli and Her Shadow?
It was based on my own experience when I moved with my family from Darwin to Perth, the feelings I had to deal with leaving family especially my nana and the difficulty changing schools and making new friends.
What do you like to do when you are not writing?
Just being a normal teenage girl, shopping and hanging out with friends.
Do you prefer to write on paper, or on a computer?
A bit of both, but mainly computer because I can’t lose it.
Lilli and Her Shadow is a chapter book for early readers. How important do you think it is for children to have access to books with Indigenous characters in them?
I think that it is very important. Children growing up from all nationalities need to feel they are important enough to be written about. Through inclusion we are all important and this is a step forward to get rid of issues such as racism.
What is positive and what is challenging about co-writing a book?
Co-writing allows you to grow your ideas through brain storming and building of the creativity of each other. I think at the end of the manuscript you have a greater story.
Are you working on another book?
I have been co writing with my Aunty Pat another book about a young girl’s secret struggle which is expected to be released later this year. Besides this I am always writing short stories especially when I am in a creative mood to challenge my imagination and when I have an important topic to talk about. One day I hope to be able to use these materials in other stories.
Do you have any advice for young writers?
Keep a diary, this is where you can write down everyday events that affect you emotionally. At this real time you can feel and express on paper with greater accuracy and therefore relate to real events and real readers about an issue or something that you feel passionate about. Later on you can use this material in your stories.
Also have a book that you write down brilliant ideas as soon as they come into your head as they can be quickly lost, then you can also use this book to stimulate your creativity when writing.
Thank-you for giving me the opportunity to share my story and give other kids ideas for writing.
Thanks for answering our questions. We loved having you here!
Lilli and Her Shadow, by Pat Dudgeon and Laura Dudgeon, ill. by Tracey Gibbs and Sally Morgan, published by Fremantle Press.
Today we welcome Aleesah Darlison to talk about her books, and what being a writer is like!
Aleesah Darlison
What do you like most about being a writer?
Sharing my stories with other people. Creating characters and scenes and settings, becoming lost in other worlds and playing make believe just to see where it can take me. And I just adore working with illustrators, having them bring my story to life in a way I never could because I can only draw stick figures.
Are there any downsides to being a writer?
Having to do everything on your own, like marketing your book, organising events and managing your money. As a writer, you’re basically running a business so you have to wear lots of different hats. It isn’t easy switching from one thing to another and it’s hard to find the time to do everything. Luckily, I don’t need much sleep and I’m super efficient!
What brought you to write your first book?
I’ve been writing since I was a teenager and I wrote lots of books (that were never published) as an adult. I would work during the day and write at night. When I decided to make writing a proper career four years ago, I chose to write for children because I had two of my own. They gave me lots of ideas for stories and I also used memories and experiences from my own childhood to write other stories.
Was it easy to get your first book published?
The first novel for children that I wrote, Rodeo Brumby, was about a brumby horse named Racer, who is captured and sold into the rodeo. I really, really loved writing that story and I still believe in it with all of my heart, but it hasn’t been taken up by a publisher yet. Maybe one day.
Puggle's Problem by Aleesah Darlison
Since then, I have had other books accepted for publication, though. The first one to come out is Puggle’s Problem, which is a picture book. I had to do lots of drafts of the story before it was ready to be sent off to publishers. After several years and several rejections, Wombat Books, said they wanted to publish it. More redrafting followed before the book was finally ready to be printed. So, I would have to say it isn’t easy getting any book published, but it’s certainly worth all the hard work.
Of your own books, which is your favourite?
I love them all! Each one is different and special in its own right. I believe in each character and story and theme or issue that I’m writing about. Every book has a story behind it and takes a long time to make just right. Puggle’s Problem is special to me because it’s about a gorgeous puggle, a baby echidna, and it’s my first ever picture book. My series for girls aged 9+, Totally Twins, which will be out in September, is special because it’s funny and quirky. It’s illustrated, too (by Serena Geddes), so it has a little added bonus for readers. Totally Twins is about identical twins, Persephone and Portia Pinchgut. I always wanted to have an identical twin when I was a kid, so writing Totally Twins was a way for me to live out a childhood fantasy – finally!
Are you working on a book/project at the moment?
I’m working on a few new projects, including a humorous picture book about an accidentally adventurous spider named Iggy.
Did you have a favourite children’s book when you were growing up?
I read loads of books when I was a kid. I actually used to get in trouble for reading so much! My favourite books were from the Narnia series by C.S. Lewis, like The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe. Even now I’m older I read loads of kids’ books. One of my favourite authors is Victor Kelleher and one of my favourite picture book illustrators/authors is Bruce Whatley.
Do you have any advice for young writers?
Read a lot. Write a lot. Don’t be afraid to share your work with other people – how they react to your stories will teach you how to write better stories. Ask your parents to take you to see as many authors and illustrators as you can so you can learn what it’s like to be one.
Sheryl Gwyther visited us last month as part of the celebrations for the launch of our Undercover Readers Club. She’s back today to talk a bit about how she got the idea for her latest book, Princess Clown. Welcome back, Sheryl!
What gave you the idea for writing Princess Clown?
Princess Clown began with a challenge – to write a chapter book using words that clashed. I chose CLOWN and PRINCESS.
(Musicians have used this same process to choose intriguing, unusual names for their bands. That’s why we have rock bands with names like Led Zeppelin, Guns ‘N Roses, Green Day, Pearl Day and Stone Roses.)
Once I had chosen the words Clown and Princess I asked myself, What if?
What if there was a princess who was different? What if she loved clowning and making people laugh? What if she was the heir to the throne? What if she was in trouble because she can’t stop clowning around? What if her tricks go terribly wrong?
Then before I could say, ABRACADABRA and ALLIBALOO, out sprang Princess Belle and a story was born.
Are you good at any circus skills yourself? Juggling, unicycle riding, back flips, squirting unsuspecting people with your joke flower/buzzing them with a handshake?
I prefer my bike with two wheels so I don’t fall off. I can’t do black flips or somersaults and neither do I have a zingy clown ring like Princess Belle, but I do have a set of three professional juggling balls – a perfect size and weight for my hand.
I’m trying to learn to juggle. So far, I’ve worked up to three throws and a catch, but it’s been difficult to throw that fourth throw. My brain does not like it at all! But I’ll never give up trying – one day I will get there.
How do you get inspiration and ideas for your writing?
I get ideas for writing stories from lots of places. Some start with daydreaming, or childhood memories, some from intriguing things I’ve read or heard about, some from combinations of words, a couple even came from dreams. Once I get the idea, I always ask, What if? And that is when the story really begins to form in my imagination.
I like to write a rough outline while the idea is fresh in my brain. Then it’s a good idea to brainstorm – that fills out the characters’ development and also the plot.
While I’m writing the first draft, I play some background music on the CD player. When writing an adventurous part of my stories, I like the soundtrack from The Lord of The Rings – helps to keep the fast pace going. You might find that works for you too.
Sheryl Gwyther will be here on Wednesday 7th as part of her Princess Clown blog tour. Be sure to stop by—she’ll be talking about how she gets her ideas, and she has some great writing tips for kids.
Well, the Undercover Readers Club is now officially launched. In case you missed it — we’ve had children’s authors, poets and illustrators visiting the blog to talk about what they used to read undercover when they were growing up.
Tomorrow we’ll post a list of all the books mentioned, in case you’d like to look for them the next time you’re at a library or book shop.
And if you came late to the tour, here’s a list of all our visitors. Thanks for helping us launch the Undercover Readers Club. Hurrah!
alphabetsoup.net.au 
