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Any tips
on how others can become writers?
If you
love writing, then just put pen to paper and try to get your
work published! It can help if you’re a little bit crazy!
Get opinions from as many people as you can. Maybe even test
your writing on kids to see their reaction. |
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If you
weren’t a writer, what would have been your occupation?
Maybe a
fisherman.
What are
some of the pitfalls you have experienced as a writer?
Writer's
block, being turned down by publishers.
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What was
the best thing that happened in your writing career?
Getting my first book published.
Can you
give an example from one of your books of how you found your
characters?
For 'The Three Fishing Brothers Gruff' I found a really cool
book in the Wellington Library about cray fishermen from
Fiordland. I based the characters on some of the real
fishermen in the book. They were rugged!
Did you
base any of your books on a real life experience?
Not really. The book I’m illustrating at the moment is based
on a real life experience. It’s about two kids who stay with
their eccentric father in the weekends. He collects bits and
bobs!
Do you
start your stories with the aim of making a social
statement or do the stories grow on their own as you write
them?
Yeah, I do
start with a social statement. The story definitely evolves
though. What I end up with isn’t necessarily what I imagined
at the beginning.
Who is
your favourite author?
Roald Dahl.
What was
the last book you read?
'Pretty Boy Floyd' by Larry McMurtry.
Do you
have children (since you write children’s stories)?
Not
yet. I’m still a kid myself!
What
writing awards have you received?
I’ve only had one book published so far,
so I haven’t won any yet. It’s in the running for a couple
though. TTFBG was awarded a Highly Commended in the Best
Design Awards 06 for my illustrations. It also won the
Digital Media section in the Tairawhiti Arts Awards 06. I
have been selected as a finalist in the NZ Post Book Awards
for 2007 and I am also long-listed for the Kate Greenaway
Award, which is the UK's premier children's book award.
What books
have you written for children?
'The Three
Fishing Brothers Gruff' is my first book. I’ve also done a
whole lot of illustrations for School Journal over the last
several years.
