Writer
Samantha Wheeler‘s first children’s book was inspired by koalas. Her award-winning novels combine unforgettable adventures with real-world environmental themes. Through engaging characters and exciting journeys, young readers discover the wonder of Australia’s wildlife, wild places and the importance of connecting with nature. Today we’re chatting to Samantha about her latest novel: The Lost Island, illustrated by Anke Noack.
From the publisher:
Theo thinks there’s nothing worse than being stuck on a Pacific cruise with his dad, new stepmum and annoying stepsister. But when he’s thrown overboard during a storm and washes up on a desert island, he suddenly has much bigger problems: finding food, water and shelter. He discovers the island is full of mysteries: spooky noises, possible ghosts and the strangest birds he’s ever seen. With survival getting tougher by the day and no rescue in sight, Theo is desperate to get back to his family. But to escape the island, he must first unlock its secrets – and reckon with the power of nature.
UQP provided a reading copy of this book.
Theo realises he’ll need to be resourceful to have any hope of surviving. How would you rate your own chances of survival if you found yourself stranded on a desert island?
Ha! This is such a good question because, as part of my research, I gave lots of survival skills a try! But I failed miserably! Fishing? Fail! Lighting a fire with a flint and rod? Fail! Building a waterproof shelter? Fail! I was also terrible at tying knots! The only things I did manage to do was crack open a coconut (on a rock) and find north and south. I also found water but since I couldn’t light a fire, I couldn’t drink it, and it was pretty stinky and murky, so again … fail. But, I really loved the experience, it made me appreciate nature even more, and oh my goodness, all the amazing things I noticed while I was out there in the bush! I’d really love to go and learn some proper survival skills now.
What would you miss most about everyday life if you did find yourself having to spend some time on a desert island?
Definitely drinking tea! I love a nice cup of tea in the mornings to help me wake up, so I’d really miss that! And hot showers! Then there’s my dogs (Louie and Nessa) and my husband. I’d miss them. And I’d miss reading, but I’m guessing to begin with I’d be too busy trying to survive to read. Unless I had some survival books. Apart from that, I’m thinking there would be lots of things I’d gain. Like all the birds I’d see and hear. And the sunsets!
This is fiction, but did you need to do any research while you were writing The Lost Island? How do you decide what to include in the landscape descriptions of an island you’ve never been to?
Yes, I did loads of research! I read up on survival skills of course, and found out all sorts of interesting things about currents and tides and how to find north and south. I also spent a week at Heron Island, where there are so many birds and not many people, which gave me lots of ideas for the setting plus ideas for the noises and behaviours of the birds. There are lots of mutton birds who hide their babies in tiny burrows on Heron Island, just like in The Lost Island, and their wailing … oh my goodness, it’s so spooky! I also got the idea for the turtles who hatch along the beach, when one day I was sitting watching the waves, the exact thing happened – shore birds and sharks snapping up the baby turtles as they tried to swim away. As for what to include: I am very much a plot person, so big lengthy landscape descriptions have never been my thing. I like to include just enough that you get the idea but I wouldn’t want to go overboard, otherwise you’d skip that section because it’d be too long and boring.
How do you like to write – do you plot your novel out before writing, or fly by the seat of your pants?
I usually just write as I go, flying by the seat of my pants! But with The Lost Island I really wanted to show how Theo learns to connect with nature, so I needed to plan a bit more. I planned some scenes before I started writing, like when Theo realises he’s alone but hears the wailing noises, when he keeps getting lost and when he fails at lighting a fire and so on, but the rest I just wrote as I went. Unfortunately, this means that my stories take longer to write, with a lot more deleting and editing to make sure the plot and characters work.
Can you tell us a bit about what you’re working on next?
I haven’t started a new project yet, but I have so many ideas!! I have a picture book idea about a crocodile with no teeth which is an early draft form, a possible sequel to Smooch & Rose, my first book (after seeing how many koala trees are still being cleared near where I live) or even maybe a sequel to The Lost Island. Maybe Theo could have another adventure somewhere!
The Lost Island is out now. Ask for it at your favourite bookshop or local library.
AWESOME EXTRAS:
Read some pages inside the book
Download the Teachers’ Notes for this book
Visit the Samantha Wheeler’s website for more about her and her books
Visit Anke Noack’s website for more about her and her illustration work
