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Three Quick Questions – Kathryn Apel #18

Posted on October 25, 2011October 24, 2011 by Alphabet Soup

All through October, Alphabet Soup is celebrating turning three. We have heaps of writers and illustrators stopping by to answer THREE QUICK QUESTIONS and today’s visitor is Kathryn Apel, author of Fencing With Fear, and This is the Mud.

1. Where do you like to write?

Sometimes my brain likes to write by itself and I have to stop what I’m doing and dash for paper/pencil, computer—anything! —just to catch the words. My brain likes to write when I’m;

driving (alone)

walking (with the dog)

chopping vegetables

in the shower.

I like to write at the computer, because I can organize my ideas neatly and I don’t have to worry about my handwriting, which gets messier and messier the faster I write. (And even messier still when I change my mind and start scratching things out.) Sometimes I decide; It’s time. I will write. I sit at the computer … walk to the fridge … sit at the computer … walk outside … sit at the computer … go on Twitter … check my blog … go to the fridge … sit at the computer … and FINALLY … the ideas and the words come. Yay and hurray, I say!

2. Can you name a book you’d recommend to our readers?

I really enjoyed the unexpectedness of the picture book Fred Stays With Me by Nancy Coffelt and illustrated by Tricia Tusa. I think it’s cleverly done. I even gave a bark of laughter—which is appropriate, because Fred is a dog.

Fred Stays With Me (cover) — Kathryn Apel recommends Fred Stays With Me

3. Can you offer a word or phrase that kids could use for inspiration if they have writer’s block?

“Did you see that?”

You can find out more about Kathryn Apel on her blog, and on her website.

© October 2011 “Three Quick Questions with Kathryn Apel” by Rebecca Newman (Alphabet Soup magazine)

(Psst … see you back here tomorrow when we talk to author Dee White.)

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Three Quick Questions – Claire Saxby #17

Posted on October 24, 2011October 22, 2011 by Alphabet Soup

All through October, Alphabet Soup is celebrating turning three. We have heaps of writers and illustrators stopping by to answer THREE QUICK QUESTIONS and today’s visitor is Claire Saxby, author of Sheep, Goat and the Creaking Gate, There was an Old Sailor, The Carrum Sailing Club, and many more fiction and nonfiction books.

1. Where do you like to write?

My favourite place to write was in the library, until they knocked it down to build another one. I can’t wait until the new one is opened in September NEXT year. I also like writing in cafes. Somehow the noise at a cafe isn’t at all distracting whereas the silence and call of all the housework is very distracting at home.

2. Can you name a book you’d recommend to our readers?

Surface Tension by Meg McKinlay was a great read about a girl who was born the day they flooded her town. Everyone else talks about ‘before’ and ‘after’ and she feels like the only one with no knowledge of ‘before’. After years of drought, the old town is becoming visible and bringing with it secrets. This is a wonderful story about friendship, and finding where you belong.

Surface Tension (cover) — Claire Saxby recommends Surface Tension by Meg McKinlay

3. Can you offer a word or phrase that kids could use for inspiration if they have writer’s block?

I didn’t do it!

You can find out more about Claire Saxby on her blog Let’s Have Words, and see an interview about a picture book’s journey.

© October 2011 “Three Quick Questions with Claire Saxby” by Rebecca Newman (Alphabet Soup magazine)

(Psst … see you back here tomorrow when we talk to author Kathryn Apel.)

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Writing Classes for Kids online

Posted on October 22, 2011 by Alphabet Soup

Australian author Dee White has started a new website called Writing Classes for Kids (& adults). You’ll find info about writing, writing tips, links to useful websites, writing competitions, and writing classes for kids and grownups (available as $5 downloads).

Check out the info about the first competition on the Writing Classes for Kids website. There’s a category for 8 to 12s and there are book prizes—the competition is free and entries close 30 November 2011. Good luck!

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Third Birthday Giveaway – winners

Posted on October 22, 2011 by Alphabet Soup

We are pleased to announce the winners of our third birthday notebook-and-pen giveaways.

The winner of giveaway 1 (spiral-bound notebook and blue pen) is Rani.

The winner of giveaway 2 (striped hardcover notebook and blue pen) is Toni Osborn.

The winner of giveaway 3 (spiral-bound notebook with Ferris Wheel on the cover, and blue pen) is Melita.

We have sent emails to the three winners and hope to be posting their prizes in the next week.

Congratulations and happy writing!

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Three Quick Questions: Jackie Hosking #16

Posted on October 21, 2011October 20, 2011 by Alphabet Soup

All through October, Alphabet Soup is celebrating turning three. We have heaps of writers and illustrators stopping by to answer THREE QUICK QUESTIONS and today’s visitor is poet Jackie Hosking. You might have seen some of her poems in The School Magazine, The Scrumbler and in Alphabet Soup! You’ll also find her writing in the anthology Short and Scary.

1. Where do you like to write?

I love to write in bed with a nice cup of tea.

2. Can you name a book you’d recommend to our readers?

Anything by Lorraine Marwood. A Ute Picnic is brilliant and I’m about to read Note on the Door. Her poetry is so accessible and beautiful to read.

note on the door (cover) — Jackie also recommends Note on the Door by Lorraine Marwood

3. Can you offer a word or phrase that kids could use for inspiration if they have writer’s block?

One of my favourite unblockers is the phrase ‘Once upon a time … ‘ It seems to unlock the door to possibilities. So if you’re stuck, just write Once upon a time … and see what happens.

You can find out more about Jackie Hosking in an earlier interview (or keep an eye out for our November issue which will include one of Jackie’s poems).

© October 2011 “Three Quick Questions with Jackie Hosking” by Rebecca Newman (Alphabet Soup magazine)

(Psst … don’t forget to enter our birthday giveaways—entries close at midnight tonight, Perth time )

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Three Quick Questions: Norman Jorgensen #15

Posted on October 20, 2011October 19, 2011 by Alphabet Soup

All through October, Alphabet Soup is celebrating turning three. We have heaps of writers and illustrators stopping by to answer THREE QUICK QUESTIONS and today’s visitor is Norman Jorgensen, author of The Last Viking and In Flanders Fields (and many other books, too!)

1. Where do you like to write?

Down in my back garden, beyond where the pirates, kid-eating dinosaurs, scary monsters and teenage vampires all lurk, I have a studio surrounded by huge trees. The walls are painted bright red and on the wall behind my computer I have prints of old square-rigged sailing ships. I also have a model of a WW I fighter hanging from the ceiling, and piles and piles of books. It’s a bit of a Boy’s Own paradise, I’m afraid. It is not as tidy as a ten-year old’s bedroom, but at least a million times worse.

2. Can you name a book you’d recommend to our readers?

I remember him as if it were yesterday, as he came plodding to the inn door, his sea-chest following behind him in a hand-barrow–a tall, strong, heavy, nut-brown man, his tarry pigtail falling over the shoulder of his soiled blue coat, his hands ragged and scarred, with black, broken nails, and the sabre cut across one cheek, a dirty, livid white. I remember him looking round the cover and whistling to himself as he did so, and then breaking out in that old sea-song that he sang so often afterwards: “Fifteen men on the dead man’s chest—Yo-ho-ho, and a bottle of rum!” in the high, old tottering voice that seemed to have been tuned and broken at the capstan bars.

It starts like this and just gets better and better. It is Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson, of course, first published in 1883, and I re-read it every few years, mostly to remind myself why I want to be a writer. All pirate books and movies, including Pirates of the Caribbean, have been inspired by this one book, and it is the perfect read for a dark and stormy story night while huddled up under the covers with a torch.

Treasure Island (cover) — Norman Jorgensen recommends Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson

3. Can you offer a word or phrase that kids could use for inspiration if they have writer’s block?

Then what happened?

What is the worst thing that could happen next?

Find out more about Norman Jorgensen and his books on his website and check out The Last Viking blog.

© October 2011 “Three Quick Questions with Norman Jorgensen” by Rebecca Newman (Alphabet Soup magazine)

(Psst … see you back here tomorrow, when we’ll hear from poet Jackie Hosking! And don’t forget to enter our birthday giveaways … )

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Three Quick Questions: Frederique, aged 8 #14

Posted on October 19, 2011October 18, 2011 by Alphabet Soup

"Photo of Fred (Petals for Fred)" — Fred, the poet from Petals for Fred. Photo © Fred 2010.

All through October, Alphabet Soup is celebrating turning three. We have heaps of writers and illustrators stopping by to answer THREE QUICK QUESTIONS and today’s visitor is 8-year-old poet Frederique who runs a poetry blog called Petals for Fred.

1. Where do you like to write?

At the dinner table.

2. Can you name a book you’d recommend to our readers?

The 13-Storey Treehouse, by Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton. It was funny, it had thirteen chapters, thirteen of everything!

3. Can you offer a word or phrase that kids could use for inspiration if they have writer’s block?

Treehouse!

Find out more about Fred and her poetry on her blog, Petals for Fred.

© October 2011 “Three Quick Questions with 8-year-old poet Frederique” by Rebecca Newman (Alphabet Soup magazine)

(Psst … see you back here tomorrow, when we’ll hear from author Norman Jorgensen!)

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3rd birthday giveaway – Day 3

Posted on October 19, 2011October 18, 2011 by Alphabet Soup

Because we’re turning three we’ve been giving away notebooks and pens to celebrate—one writer’s notebook and pen to giveaway each day for three days (today is the last day but check out Monday’s and Tuesday’s posts because you still have until Friday to enter.).

Here’s today’s notebook and pen giveaway. One spiral bound notebook and a blue pen.

If you’d like to enter today’s notebook-and-pen-giveaway, there is one step.

1) Leave a comment at this post letting us know the best children’s book you have read this year. (Or that your child/student has read if you are a parent/teacher entering on a child’s behalf.)

Note: this is a random draw and we will put all the entrants’ names in a hat and draw out the winner.

Some fine print:

We are only able to post the prize to Australian addresses. You are welcome to enter if you live overseas but you will need to nominate a lucky friend or relative in Australia to receive the prize.

Competition opens at 3am on Wednesday 19 October 2011 and ends on Friday 21 October at 11.59pm. (Times as per Perth, Western Australia)

We will announce the winner on the blog on Saturday 22 October. We will ask that the winner emails us an address where we can post the prize. If we do not hear back from the winner by 28 October, we will award the notebook to the runner-up of the competition.

Notebooks and pens were purchased by Alphabet Soup’s editor. We have no affiliation with the brands or stockists and have received no incentives from these companies. (Our editor just went out and bought notebooks with inviting-looking covers.)

No correspondence will be entered into regarding the winner. Our decision is final.

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Three Quick Questions: Sandy Fussell #13

Posted on October 18, 2011October 17, 2011 by Alphabet Soup

All through October, Alphabet Soup is celebrating turning three. We have heaps of writers and illustrators stopping by to answer THREE QUICK QUESTIONS and today’s visitor is Sandy Fussell, author of many books including the Samurai Kids series, Polar Boy and Jaguar Warrior.

1. Where do you like to write?

I write everywhere—even at the school bus stop. I like to sit in the sun and draft longhand but when it comes to the ‘spit and polish’ I work on a laptop in my office.

2. Can you name a book you’d recommend to our readers?

I am very fortunate as a reviewer to have an advance copy of The Outcasts, the first book in John Flanagan’s new Brotherband series. I think it’s even better than his Ranger’s Apprentice books and I loved those. The Outcasts is released 1 November.

3. Can you offer a word or phrase that kids could use for inspiration if they have writer’s block?

I have two favourites. ‘snizzle’ which I used in Polar boy (a snizzle of snow’) and ‘screak’ (the screak of a bat) which I used in Samurai Kids 2: Owl Ninja. I collect unusual words and often use them as inspiration or to give a description more impact.

Find out more about Sandy Fussell and her books—visit her website and the Samurai Kids website.

(Psst … see you back here tomorrow, when we’ll hear from 8-year-old poet Frederique!)

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3rd birthday giveaway Day 2

Posted on October 18, 2011October 18, 2011 by Alphabet Soup

It’s always fun to unwrap a few presents at a birthday party—and since we’re turning three we’ve decided to give away some notebooks and pens to celebrate. All writers need a notebook for jotting down interesting words, snippets of conversation or ideas for the next story or poem. We have one writer’s notebook and pen to giveaway each day for three days (starting yesterday!).

Here’s today’s notebook and pen giveaway. One hardcover notebook and a blue pen. (And don’t forget you still have time to enter yesterday’s giveaway—entries for all three notebooks close on Friday 21 October. See the fine print for details!)

This STRIPED notebook is perfect for scribbling down story ideas

Note: this notebook is a hardback. It’s great for story ideas and thoughts and newspaper snippets but you probably wouldn’t want to write a novel in it from beginning to end because it doesn’t lie flat.

If you’d like to enter today’s notebook-and-pen-giveaway, there is one step.

1) Leave a comment on this post, letting us know what you’d like to see more of on this blog. (e.g. book reviews, author/illustrator interviews, poetry, writing tips etc … or you might like it just as it is.)

Another note: this is a random draw and we will put all the entrants’ names in a hat and draw out the winner.

Some fine print:

We are only able to post the prize to Australian addresses. You are welcome to enter if you live overseas but you will need to nominate a lucky friend or relative in Australia to receive the prize.

Competition opens at 3am on Tuesday 18 October 2011 and ends on Friday 21 October at 11.59pm. (Times as per Perth, Western Australia)

We will announce the winner on the blog on Friday. If an email address has been provided with your comment, we will also email the winner asking for an address where we can post the prize. If we do not hear back from the winner by 28 October, we will award the notebook to the runner-up of the competition.

Notebooks and pens were purchased by Alphabet Soup’s editor. We have no affiliation with the brands or stockists and have received no incentives from these companies. (Our editor just went out and bought notebooks with inviting-looking covers.)

© October 2011 “Three Quick Questions with Kathryn Apel” by Rebecca Newman (Alphabet Soup magazine)

© October 2011 “Three Quick Questions with Claire Saxby” by Rebecca Newman (Alphabet Soup magazine)

© October 2011 “Three Quick Questions with Jackie Hosking” by Rebecca Newman (Alphabet Soup magazine)

© October 2011 “Three Quick Questions with Norman Jorgensen” by Rebecca Newman (Alphabet Soup magazine)

© October 2011 “Three Quick Questions with 8-year-old poet Frederique” by Rebecca Newman (Alphabet Soup magazine)

Some fine print:

We are only able to post the prize to Australian addresses. You are welcome to enter if you live overseas but you will need to nominate a lucky friend or relative in Australia to receive the prize.

Competition opens at 3am on Wednesday 19 October 2011 and ends on Friday 21 October at 11.59pm. (Times as per Perth, Western Australia)

We will announce the winner on the blog on Saturday 22 October. We will ask that the winner emails us an address where we can post the prize. If we do not hear back from the winner by 28 October, we will award the notebook to the runner-up of the competition.

Notebooks and pens were purchased by Alphabet Soup’s editor. We have no affiliation with the brands or stockists and have received no incentives from these companies. (Our editor just went out and bought notebooks with inviting-looking covers.)

No correspondence will be entered into regarding the winner. Our decision is final.

© October 2011 “Three Quick Questions with Sandy Fussell” by Rebecca Newman (Alphabet Soup magazine)

Some fine print:

We are only able to post the prize to Australian addresses. You are welcome to enter if you live overseas but you will need to nominate a lucky friend or relative in Australia to receive the prize.

Competition opens at 3am on Tuesday 18 October 2011 and ends on Friday 21 October at 11.59pm. (Times as per Perth, Western Australia)

Notebooks and pens were purchased by Alphabet Soup’s editor. We have no affiliation with the brands or stockists and have received no incentives from these companies. (Our editor just went out and bought notebooks with inviting-looking covers.)

No correspondence will be entered into regarding the winner. Our decision is final.