(no title)

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 )

info

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 … )

poetry

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!)

info

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.

authors

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.

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

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

info

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.)

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

illustrator

Three Quick Questions: Rebecca Cool #12

Posted on October 17, 2011October 16, 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 Rebecca Cool, illustrator of Isabella’s Garden and For All Creatures (both written by Glenda Millard).

1. Where do you like to draw/paint/sketch?

My favourite place to paint is of course in my studio and I often sketch out ideas while watching T.V.

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

Pocketful of Posies: A Treasury of Nursery Rhymes by Salley Mavor published by Houghton Mifflin is a book I recently bought. Each traditional nursery rhyme is illustrated by stitching onto felt—gorgeous!

Pocketful of Posies by Salley Mavor — Rebecca Cool recommends 'Pocketful of Posies' by Salley Mavor

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

Go for a walk.

Find out more about Rebecca Cool—visit her website and read about her on the Walker Books website.

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

competitions

3rd Birthday Giveaway Day 1

Posted on October 17, 2011October 16, 2011 by Alphabet Soup

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 are two steps.

1) Leave a comment on this post, saying how you first heard about Alphabet Soup magazine.

2) Send our editor an email quoting a favourite first sentence in a children’s book you have read, and the book it is from. (Children’s book must be suitable for readers under 12.)

Note: this is not a random draw, we will choose the entry with the first sentence that makes us want to read (or re-read) the book in question!

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 Monday 17 October 2011 and ends on Friday 21 October at 11.59pm. (Times as per Perth, Western Australia)

We will 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.)

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

info

Posted on October 16, 2011 by Alphabet Soup

3rd birthday biscuits — Thanks to Charmaine, who made Number Three biscuits for our writers to take home - in honour of our 3rd birthday.

On Friday we met an enthusiastic group of young writers at the City of Vincent Library in Leederville (WA). The afternoon was off to a festive start with door prizes to celebrate our third birthday—Riley and the Dancing Lion, a set of the complete Jake series (so far!), a writer’s notebook-and-pen, and Pearlie in Paris. Annette Flexman—one of the magazine’s illustrators—drew a pirate ship for everyone to collage and colour, and also assisted with the folding of origami sailboats (sailing is the theme of our spring issue!). Photos to come!

We had a great time. A big thank you to all our young writers who attended and wrote such brilliant poems and book reviews. (We’ll be sharing some of their book reviews on the blog later this week, so stay tuned.)

info

Three Quick Questions: Katrina Germein (#11)

Posted on October 15, 2011October 8, 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 Katrina Germein, author of Big Rain Coming and My Dad Thinks He’s Funny.

1. Where do you like to write?

I’m not picky. I’ll draft anywhere—on a bus, in a park, beside the sea. I love notebooks with fancy covers and keep a store in my car and my handbag for when I find a few minutes to scribble ideas. When it comes to sustained writing and editing I like to work at a desk with my computer. It doesn’t need to be my desk and it doesn’t need to be very big but it needs to be in a quiet place. I’m not one of those authors who can work with music playing.

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

George and Ghost by Catriona Hoy and Cassia Thomas. It’s beautiful. I love all of Catriona Hoy’s picture books. I’d love to have written them myself!

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

‘I was the only one with a key.’

Find out more about Katrina Germein and her books—visit her website and her blog.

(Psst … see you back here on Monday, when we’ll have the first of our birthday giveaways!)

Three Quick Questions: Jackie Hosking #16

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

Three Quick Questions: Norman Jorgensen #15

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

Three Quick Questions: Frederique, aged 8 #14

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

3rd birthday giveaway – Day 3

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.

Three Quick Questions: Sandy Fussell #13

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

3rd birthday giveaway Day 2

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.

Three Quick Questions: Rebecca Cool #12

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

3rd Birthday Giveaway Day 1

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 Monday 17 October 2011 and ends on Friday 21 October at 11.59pm. (Times as per Perth, Western Australia)

We will 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.)

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

Three Quick Questions: Katrina Germein (#11)

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