Tag: Three Quick Questions

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Three Quick Questions: Aleesah Darlison (#10)

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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 Aleesah Darlison, author of many books including the Totally Twins series and new series, Unicorn Riders.

Totally Twins (cover)Unicorn Riders (book 1 cover)

1. Where do you like to write?

I usually write in my study where it’s quiet and cosy and where I can display photos, posters and props, etc about what I’m writing about.

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

A book I read recently—The 13-Storey Treehouse by Andy Griffiths. Very funny.

The 13-storey Treehouse (cover)
Aleesah recommends The 13-Storey Treehouse by Andy Griffiths

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

Magic.

Find out more about Aleesah Darlison and her books—visit her website.

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

(Psst … see you back here tomorrow, when author Katrina Germein answers our Three Quick Questions.)

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Three Quick Questions: Sheryl Gwyther (#9)

Posted on 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 author Sheryl Gwyther—her most recent book is Charlie and the Red Hot Chilli Pepper.

Charlie and the Red Hot Chilli Pepper cover

1. Where do you like to write?

I have a study to write in, but I can write anywhere (if I’m in the writing mood). Funny thing, though, the place where I write a first draft reminds me of that time whenever I go there—like on our back deck, where I wrote the first draft of Singing the Wires and the words poured out of my head. Luckily, it’s all good memories.

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

Just finished John Heffernan’s book Battle Boy—Spying on the Past, written under the name of Charlie Carter. It’s the first in a series of exciting, short adventure books for young readers. Easy to read, gripping and cleverly bringing the past alive when a young boy—Napoleon Augustus Smythe—hurtles back through time and into … the big battles of the past. Lots of techo stuff (and illustrations) to intrigue kids.

Battle Boy (cover)
Sheryl Gwyther recommends Battle Boy by Charlie Carter


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

Sheryl Gwyther
Sheryl Gwyther

Rather than one word or phrase, I use my ‘Double Trouble Game’—think of two words that are ‘bad roommates’, put them together and ask, ‘What If? I used this method to get the ideas flowing for my story Princess Clown. Also for my work-in-progress, Fangus Fearbottom (fang and banana—yes, bad room mates!)

Find out more about Sheryl Gwyther and her books—visit her website and check out her 4Kids blog, too.

Sheryl’s most recent book, Charlie and the Red Hot Chilli Pepper is available from Pearson Australia.

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

(Psst … see you back here tomorrow, when author Aleesah Darlison answers our Three Quick Questions.)

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Three Quick Questions: Cristy Burne (#8)

Posted on 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 Cristy Burne, author of the Takeshita Demons books.

Takeshita Demons (cover)The Filth Licker (cover)

 

1. Where do you like to write?

In a café, on my laptop, with a chilli hot chocolate somewhere nearby. I like writing in cafés because it usually means I have two or three hours of uninterrupted time.

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

I usually read action-adventure-fantasy stories, but lately I’ve been trying some different genres. Most recently, I loved Meg McKinlay’s Duck for a Day … it’s quirky and clever and fun. I also loved Warning! Aliens are Invading the School! by Dinah Capparucci—it’s Very Funny!

Duck for a day (cover)
Cristy Burne recommends Duck for a Day by Meg McKinlay
Warning! Aliens are invading the school! (cover)
Cristy also recommends Warning! Aliens are Invading the School! by Dinah Capparucci


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

Cristy ... and head
Cristy ... and head

“headless”

I like to write scary stories about strange monsters and spooky demons, so “headless” is a great start for imagining a new kind of creature. It opens up lots of nice questions: Why is it headless? Does it miss its head? Does it have any extra bits to make up for its missing head? Is it attacking me? Is it making me a cup of tea?

Find out more about Cristy Burne and Takeshita Demons—visit her website and check out her blog.

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

(Psst … see you back here tomorrow, when author Sheryl Gwyther answers our Three Quick Questions.)

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Three Quick Questions: Mark Wilson (#7)

Posted on 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 Mark Wilson, author and illustrator of many books, including Ben and Gracie’s Art Adventure and  The Little Wooden Horse.Ben and Gracie's Art Adventure (cover)

  The Little Wooden Horse (cover)

1. Where do you like to write/do your artwork?

At the beach or around the coast somewhere. I love rock pools and rocky headlands.

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

The Mr. Badger series, by Leigh Hobbs. The most brilliant little pen and ink drawing on page after page!

 

Mr Badger (cover)
Mark Wilson recommends the Mr Badger series by Leigh Hobbs

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

Two words … Stay cool.

Find out more about Mark’s books and illustrations on his website!

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

(Psst … see you back here tomorrow, when author Cristy Burne answers our Three Quick Questions.)

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Three Quick Questions: Tania McCartney (#6)

Posted on 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 Tania McCartney, author of the ‘Riley the Little Aviator’ series. The latest is the series is Riley and the Grumpy Wombat.

Riley and the Grumpy Wombat (cover)

1. Where do you like to write?

In my trackie dacks. All hail the trackie dacks! I write from within these dacks … though of course, I don’t use my legs to type. I suppose I could get little teensy trackie dacks made for my fingers? I also like to write in cafés with my laptop, although I don’t wear my trackie dacks to the café. If you saw my trackie dacks, you’d know why.

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

I read the new Dr Seuss book—The Bippolo Seed and Other Lost Stories—and it wasn’t even published yet, so I felt very special seeing it so early. My heart was thumping out of my chest when I first picked it up. It thumped so hard, I had to give the book a hug to calm my heart down. I know I don’t need to recommend a new Dr Seuss book, because if you’re a reader, you’ll know how good the book will absolutely most certainly be. So I won’t say a thing. Except “read it”!

 

The Bippolo Seed (cover)
Tania McCartney recommends The Bippolo Seed and Other Lost Stories by Dr Seuss

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

Onomatopoeia. (That’s all those funny words that sound like something—crash, tinkle, splash, squelch … you can use them to kick-start any sentence.)

Tania’s latest book—Riley and the Grumpy Wombat: a journey around Melbourne—is out now. See more on Tania’s books at www.taniamccartney.com or visit her book character Riley at his own blog—www.rileyaviator.blogspot.com. Make sure you stop by www.kids-bookreview.com for some really cool book reviews and author/illustrator interviews, too!

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

(Psst … see you back here tomorrow, when author- illustrator Mark Wilson answers our Three Quick Questions.)

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Three Quick Questions: James Foley (#5)

Posted on 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 James Foley, illustrator of picture book The Last Viking (by Norman Jorgensen).

"The Last Viking (cover)"

1. Where do you like to draw?

My favourite place to draw is in my room, really early in the morning, while it’s still quiet, before the pets wake up … penguins can be very noisy when they’re hungry, and spider monkeys are incredibly grouchy until they’ve had a cup of tea and some toast.

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

Sam, Grace and the Shipwreck written by new author Michelle Gillespie, illustrated by the incredibly talented Sonia Martinez. It’s coming out this month (October) and looks amazing. It’s the true story of how Sam Isaacs and Grace Bussell saved the crew and passengers of the Georgette when it was wrecked off the South West coast of WA a long time ago.

Sam, Grace and the Shipwreck, recommended by James Foley as a good read!

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

” … and that’s why my mum joined the circus.”

Find out more about James Foley and his books—visit his website and check out the official Last Viking blog.

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

(Psst … see you back here on Monday, when author Tania McCartney answers our Three Quick Questions.)

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Three Quick Questions: Susan Stephenson (#4)

Posted on 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 Susan Stephenson, also known as The Book Chook, and author of Monster Maddie.

"Monster Maddie cover"

1. Where do you like to write?

We have a tree in our garden called the Thinking Tree. There’s a seat at its base where I love to sit, because it’s so peaceful there. I scribble and think, think and scribble, and listen to what my characters have to say.

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

One of my favourite books is Into the Unknown: How Great Explorers Found Their Way by Land Sea and Air. It was written by Stewart Ross, illustrated by Stephen Biesty, and published by Walker Books. I loved its stories about real-life explorers, and also all the maps and foldouts and the fantastic detailed drawings. Find out more about it in my review at The Book Chook. 

Into the Unknown (cover)

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

I think the very best phrase to use when stuck is “what if … ?” What if my hero falls flat on his face in front of the dragon? What if a raven swallowed the ring? What if the bully has a phobia about grasshoppers? That question has taken my stories in many surprising directions!

Susan Stephenson is a writer who lives about as far east as you can go on Australia without falling off. She loves reading, writing and pretending to be a chicken. Susan writes a blog about children’s literature, learning and literacy at The Book Chook.

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

(Psst … check back tomorrow, when illustrator James Foley answers our Three Quick Questions.)

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Three Quick Questions: Wendy Orr (#3)

Posted on 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 Wendy Orr, author of Nim’s Island, Raven’s Mountain and many more.

Nim's island (cover)"Raven's Mountain (cover)"

 

1. Where do you like to write?

I’d love to say that it’s sitting on my favourite log out in the bush—but it’s actually at my desk. It’s a lot easier for my imagination and mind to fly free if my body is comfortable and in a good posture for writing—boring but true!

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

I’ve just finished City of Lies, the second in The Keepers trilogy by Lian Tanner. It was just as wonderful as the first (The Museum of Thieves).

City of Lies (cover)

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

Midnight.

 

Find out more about Wendy Orr and her books—visit her website and her blog and check out the Nim’s Island blog, too. (Plus, read our May 2011 Q&A with Wendy Orr.)

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

(Psst … check back tomorrow, when author Susan Stephenson—aka The Book Chook— answers our Three Quick Questions.)

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Three Quick Questions: Frané Lessac (#2)

Posted on 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 we are lucky to hear from Frané Lessac, illustrator and author. Her books include Simpson and His Donkey, Ned Kelly and The Green Sash and many more!

Simpson and His Donkey, illustrated by Frane LessacNed Kelly and the green Sash, illustrated by Frane Lessac

On her website, Frané says “Travelling continues to be a major source of inspiration for my work as I render my impression of a country and its way of life in oil and gouache paintings.”

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

I love to paint in my garden studio. I planted bright flowers in primary colours outside the big windows. My walls are covered with art painted by friends and favourite children’s book illustrators. It’s also full of objects that I’ve collected from my travels around the world.

Best of all, my cat and dog come in and join me when I work.

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

I’m a picture book person and enjoyed, Flood by Jackie French and beautifully illustrated by Bruce Whatley. It features a lone cattle dog during the recent Queensland floods.

Flood (cover)

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

Paint as you like, and live happy.

Find out more about Frané Lessac and her books—visit her website and her blog and check out more of her artwork here.

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

(Psst … check back tomorrow, when author Wendy Orr answers our Three Quick Questions!)

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October is Birthday Month!

Posted on by Alphabet Soup

balloonsWe’re very excited about October because October is our Birthday Month. And this year we’re turning THREE.

So, three is our favourite number for a month. We have a three-themed writing competition, we’ll be giving away three writers’ journals later in the month (over three days) and from 3rd October we’ll have a stream of writers and illustrators stopping by the blog all month to answer THREE QUICK QUESTIONS.

All our writers and illustrators will be answering the same three questions:

1. Where do you like to write/draw?

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

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

See you back here on Monday!