Frequently asked Questions
Q. When did you decide to be a writer?
A. I decided about 3 years ago when my baby was one year old. Not a good time to do it – I was sleep deprived and time poor...and forgetful...what was that word I was trying to think of again? But I was a woman possessed. My mother has always told me quirky and unusual stories about her childhood. It wasn’t a particularly happy childhood but she has the courage to see the happy side of life and I felt compelled to write it all down. That’s another story; a work-in-progress. But that’s how it is, I have a compulsion to tell a story, and to tell the truth.
Q.Why do you like to write books for children?
A. A child’s honesty is disarming. They're so funny and we are all so busy, busy, busy we forget the importance of the simple things and children remind us of these. By viewing life this way we feel re-connected, not only with each other but with nature. Writing for children is inspiring and it is such a challenge for writers because the writing is so tight and you have to effectively say what you want in as few words as possible. It's a form of art.
Q.Where do you get your ideas?
A. I have a wild imagination and have had my share of exciting adventures. My idyllic childhood, my love of nature and country life are close to my heart. I have vivid dreams and sleep with a pen and paper beside the bed to jot it all down so I won’t forget. Ideas come from everyday life, my children and places I visit and the people I meet. The ‘idea’ itself isn’t the hard part, it’s forming it into a story that has all the right ingredients that’s the challenging part.
Q.Are your characters based on real people?
A. Sometimes me. Sometimes it's about me, sometimes it's my children but I change their names and after a while circumstances change and the characters morph into themselves, evolving as I write, always ending up doing what they want to do. Quite different from the real person in the first place. I like to imagine what it would be like to be a child at a certain time and place.
Q. How long does it take to write a story?
A. The ‘thinking process’ is the most important part and probably takes the longest.
The formation of an idea and the planning of a beginning, middle and an end takes time. I have to try on different scenarios to see if they work or not with the characters. This may take months or years. Sometimes when I sit down to write – I don’t have an ending. That’s my creative license – I’m living dangerously – and it’s great fun. It’s 'free writing' I guess, getting that left side of the brain going.
Research is something I am into in a big way. In my day job, I am a Research Scientist in the dairy industry so the two parallel very closely. I'm always searching for a missing link or an ingredient to catalyse a reaction. It's the same for my writing, I'm looking for something that captures my imagination and I love to cross reference to substantiate a story.
I love history. Local history, Australian history, natural history, world history. I can research a topic for hours. I use the internet (god bless it), the Local Library, Historical Centres and often go and visit places and take photos to get more of a feel for my story and what my characters might have felt.
It’s fascinating and I always have way too much information than necessary to start a story. But it doesn’t matter, as I love the process and usually end up using it in another story.
It may take a week or several weeks for a picture book story and several months for longer adult fiction pieces. Re-writing and polishing your work takes longer again but is also an enjoyable part of the process. It's all about playing with words.
Q. What do you use to write?
A. It depends on what I’m doing and where I’m at. With a non-rhyming story I usually start with pen and paper and then move onto the computer but with rhyming verse it’s all pen and paper until I get it right. Rhyming verse takes more time and I do use various resources such as an on-line dictionary and a thesaurus.
I usually use Merriam-Webster's online dictionary at www.m-w.com, www.thesaurus.com, www.rhymezone.com and "Lexical FreeNet" is so useful for finding related words. Words have to rhyme exactly as well as making sense. That’s why they take so long! I might get stuck on a word and call my husband at work or Mum and Dad to ask them...what rhymes with?...patted...flattered...mattered...scattered. Ponkidoodle is still a major rhyming problem!
Q. Where do you write?
A. We built a study with a great big wide desk that can fit everything onto it. It's beautiful, it's made from sydney blue gum and I have my desk top computer on it, hard drive and printer and all my favourite books are at hands reach. I also have my ipod handy and write to whatever music I'm in the mood for. My husband has his work station down a bit from mine so we often work together in companionable silence. I write mostly at night time when everyone has gone to bed and all household duties are done and dusted. I’m a bit of an insomniac so night time is good for me. But as my youngest is now at kinder I am getting a few more daylight hours of writing.
Q. Where do you find an illustrator?
A. Your publisher will pair you up with an illustrator. Sometimes you will get to see ‘rough sketches’ and sometimes you don’t. I don’t really mind, I think it’s fascinating to let someone bring your character to life, to get their creative interpretation. It makes your story come alive and it’s such an exciting process.
The Australian Society of Authors has a website of Illustrators and their work. It’s called ‘The Style File’. It’s a wonderful resource www.thestylefile.com.au
Q. Where did your inspiration for Ponkidoodle come from. What inspires you?
A. I grew up in a house that creaked by day and groaned at night. It was my grandparents house so it was a bit spooky. I was scared of noises at night time. It was usually the wind, or a possum on the roof or just tree branches brushing against the walls. My Dad would calm me down and reassure me by telling me stories about ‘Ponkidoodle’, a magical friend who lived in the roof of our house. Ponkidoodle is fun loving and friendly and he's here to protect us when we're alone so there’s no need to be scared of noises in the night. Ponkidoodle is very clumsy and accident prone. He is nocturnal, so he is solely responsible for all night time noises. Dad had an explanation for everything with Ponkidoodle. (Ponkidoodle does go on holiday too – just in case you’re wondering).
I meet such interesting people wherever I go. I have a theory, the most 'unassuming' person is the most interesting. Never judge a book by its cover.
Q. Do you like being a writer?
A. I love the entire creative process. I love the research, the thinking, the structuring and the B.O.S (bum on seat) process of actually writing the story. The hours suit me, being a mum with three kids, a huge amount of grocery shopping (I have teenagers!), keeping up my day job, numerous pets to pat, a large garden to tend and being a Collingwood supporter and all (we go every weekend for 6 months of the year – I'm a football tragic). However, writing can be tough. Sometimes I sit down in front of my computer to write with a blank mind. Nothing to write about, eyes glazed, jaw hanging open. I know one thing for sure – being tired is not conducive to being creative. When I'm like this, I just go for a walk and read and read and read. I also feel that as a writer, you have a sense of social responsibility. I like to write stories that have significance, that teach children something. It only has to be a small message; but it's something meaningful and positive.
Q. Who are your favourite writers/illustrators?
A. I read just about anything from historical romance and family sagas to crime and autobiographies. I grew up on Enid Blyton’s The Magic Faraway Tree, The Famous Five and The Secret Seven. I also loved May Gibbs Snuggle Pot and Cuddle Pie. EB White’s Charlotte’s Web set the tone for my childhood, all animals could talk as far as I was concerned. My teenage years were dominated by Trixie Beldon books followed by Jane Austen into my twenties. I still fancy Mr Darcy. Today I love quirky stuff like Babette Cole’s Dr. Dog because it re-inforces manners in a humourous way and Gillian Rubenstien’s Keep Your Hair On Sharon. I am a big fan of Wilbur Smith's swashbuckling tales, I grew up reading them because my Dad did. It was 'our' thing and we would discuss them for hours. I also grew up on bush poetry, in particular AB Paterson and Henry Lawson. I still know a Bush Christening off by heart. And no-one makes me more homesick than Tim Winton and his vivid descriptions of coastal towns.
Q. What are you working on at the moment?
A. I am having a book published by One Day Hill Publishing called Kick it to me!. It is about the life of Tom Wills. Tom Wills is credited as having written the first set of rules for Australian Rules Football. He was a brilliant sportsman and cricketer and during the cricket off season he was bored and suggested that a 'game of their own' be created. Tom grew up with the Djarb Wurrung tribe near the Victorian Gariwerd Grampians and it has been historically documented that he fluently spoke their language and roamed freely amongst the Djarb Wurrung. Tom also played 'marn grook' with the local children, which is the indigenous code of football. I'm in awe of Tom Will's life, amazing and tragic at the same time. This book is due out in 2010.
I have also written a series of non fiction books for the educational market on migratory birds, bush birds and waterbirds and I'm hopeful these will soon be picked up. I really enjoy writing non fiction, particularly historical non fiction. It's challenging to write creatively about factual information.
A. What are your hobbies?
Q.I am a self confessed football fan (Aussie Rules) and I go every weekend with my husband Ian to watch our beloved footy team, Collingwood Football Club. Every year I swim the Lorne Pier to Pub with my eldest stepson Lachy and good mate Simone. To date we are up to 14 swims and are proud members of the ‘Shark Bait Club’ (this is an actual club you join when you swim the P2P 10 times).
I work as a Research Food Scientist in the dairy industry. I develop new processes and technologies for cheese and formulate new recipes. I make cheese at home too.
I am also passionate about Yoga. Stretching is addictive and so is guided meditation, it stops your mind thinking so fast: present moment awareness. www.flavoursofyoga.com.au
Q. What is your favourite food?
A. Indian takeaway - Butter Chicken with Garlic Naan please. Mum’s Lamb Roast, actually anything Mum cooks. Granny Roger's Christmas Pudding. Hot chips at the footy. Feta Cheese, Camembert Pont L’Eveque, Brie De Meaux, Blue De Verne, Roquefort, Strezlecki Blue, Washed rind cheeses, Gouda, Edam, Emmental, Jarlsberg, Raclette, Trappist cheese, all Cheddars...ALL Cheese!
Q. Do you have any pets?
A. Oscar, our black 12 year old cocker spaniel (he can talk)
Two cats, Carlos and Marmalade (they're both Italian)
Fat Tony, our Siamese fighter fish and two neon tetras called Luigi and Guido. Fat Tony is a bit of a thug – I have to keep an eye on him.
Q. What is your most treasured possession?
A. My family. My Friends. My animals.