Happy New Year my cHEwY gum gums

I’ve just spent the past few weeks, relaxing, writing a little and playing a whole lot of Xbox-I’m playing the latest Lord of the Rings game, surely this can be considered as research hehe. In a sense it is, because I’m working through Nothing’s Prefect, where my main character Scott is a little obsessed with gaming, especially RPGs like LOTR: War in the North. I plan to do a rough first draft by the end of this month, still in holiday mode but I gotta do some writing and make use of some time as I listen to the cricket on the radio (go India!)

So, what were my top reads of 2011? Some are older books but I read them last year so they count for me. Here they are in no order…

Elliot Allagash by Simon Rich

A clever book that has a ‘Juno-ish’ feel about it, very smart-alec stuff. Soon to be a movie, you’ll see what I mean…

Pig Boy by JC Burke

My first JC Burke book is a ripper-best interpretation of an outsider kid I’ve ever read, and he feels so real too. But the real twist comes at the end-a book that doesn’t necessarily have a likable character but fascinating nonetheless.

Votive by Karen Brooks

This is shaping up to be a masterful trilogy, I love the world that Brooks has created, a mixture of historical Europe and fantasy rolled into a lengthy and compelling book.

When you reach me by Rebecca Stead

Wow, I didn’t expect the twist at the end, but the more I think about it, the more I admire I way this story as a whole, it creeps up with lots of mysteries that are solved in one excellent stroke, well played Ms Stead (who I met at the Reading Matters conference last year).

The Dead and The Fear-Charlie Higson

Two books that kept me up at night-from reading and nightmares hehe. I have a soft spot for zombies, make that scare spot actually, and these books about survival and true grit are just addictive. Violent and uncompromising, Higson gets better with every installment.

The Friendship Matchmaker by Randa Abdel Fattah

This is a book I wished I wrote hehe, what a clever concept and it’s done well. It’s captured primary school politics perfectly, almost like ‘Hating Alison Ashley’ and the rules are comedy gold, Jerry, gold!

Seriously…I’m kidding by Ellen Degeneres

It’s not a kids book I know, but I just had so much fun reading this semi autobiography. Ellen plays around with the book format, tasty chapters that offer jokes on every page, delightful and daring!

So if you’re looking for some good reads this month, start here! But leave April free cos you’ll be reading my book, Punchlines then, lol.

O.W

Ahoy there!

It’s been a busy 2 weeks, it started last week where I did my last 2 school visits. One at Collaroy for a selective school writing camp, wish there were around when I was in high school. James Roy and I did rotations of three groups. Then I drove to Canberra for a visit to St Clare Girls High. It was an ‘unleash your potential’ day, where girls got to travel in grades and be treated to Maths, Science and English-that’s where I came in. It was a talk/task combo and it went well, I got some nice pointers for my upcoming novel, Nothing’s Prefect (due out in 2013 but you’ve got to be ready hehe). Then I dashed back in time for my writers group xmas dinner

I really love my group, been there since 2007 and it’s been a pivotal step in me getting published. We meet at the NSW Writers Centre. They have heard all my stories before they became books, the feedback has been priceless. It’s also yielded many successful results, many have come out of the group as published authors. I like to go because not only do I get some feedback, I also train myself to give feedback to others, keeps me thinking about writing. I don’t get to attend as many meetings as I’d like, but I still enjoy going when I can.

I got the second half of my final edit for Punchlines. I finished it yesterday, in the middle of doing a TV project (more on that later…I hope hehe). So now I’m kinda free until February, YaY! I’ll rest up, writing Nothing’s Prefect, I really want to nut out a proper first draft of it before the fourth cricket test, Australia against India (it’s gotta keep me company)…and of course play heaps of games hehe…ahhh so stay tuned for more exciting news in 2012, it’s gonna be another stellar year for cHEwY creations, BIG time!

I’ve got my list of fave books of 2011 ready to go…I’ll be dishing them out soon

O.W

Hey hey!

Our CBCA Northern Sydney sub-branch celebrated our third year with our Christmas dinner last night.

Many writers, illustrators, teacher-librarians and booksellers were there to catch up and see our special guests Anna Fineberg and Kim Gamble. The duo have produced many books, namely the Tashi series. Anna read from their new book, There Once Was a Dragon (out in 2012). Kim weaved his magic once more to create another masterpiece that he kindly offered up for auction.

It was another successful night and I can’t wait to see what 2012 has in store for our sub-branch. I’m busy with the final draft of Punchlines. My editor Heather and I went through the first half last week. It’s great to come back to a story after a couple of months, I was dying to rewrite so many bits hehe. Heather’s feedback has been solid gold, it will make Johnny’s story better. Funny how quickly time flies, this is my third editing process and I’m still amazed at how everything clicks into place.

I also saw the new improved cover…and yes yes yes Evi O is back with another classic hehe. We’re an unofficial duo her and I, not on the same level as Kim and Anne or Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton but I couldn’t picture my covers being illustrated by anybody else

I’ve two more school visits before the term is up…and also rehearsing for a special project, more on that soon

O.W

Yo Yo!

I had a lovely time at the Sutherland Shire Writing Festival. Day 1 was for the adults on Sunday at the Gymea Bay Community Centre. I spoke about writing comedy…it’s always tough doing these talks because the actual teaching of comedy isn’t that funny but you also want it to be entertaining as well. SO I mixed it up, adding jokes and examples to my teaching of comedy. One hour was just enough to cover the basics.

I got to meet up with Melina Marchetta again, and hearing her speak was like Writers’ Tonic. It’s refreshing to hear great writers like her having the same doubts and fears as I do. She spoke about her own process, the way characters have to earn their trust before she can write the story. I loved how she treated first drafts, don’t stress that it won’t come out. It’s the second draft that cements the friendship. I’m currently going through my raw first draft of Nothing’s Prefect (my fifth book) and it’s been like that, just writing for the sake of it…I wanna get to the second draft stage!

Yesterday I went to Grays Point PS for the kids festival, kids traveled in groups and rotated around myself, Sarah Davis, Chris Morphew and Francis Watts. Four different authors meant they got a great variety…and it was good to catch up with Chris again, we end up at all these random events, it’s nice :-0

I tried out some new jokes in my set, reworking it for the younger years. I love primary schools, I really do. Things just come more easily, and while high schools are great, it takes awhile before they warm up…the kids in primary schools are ready when before you speak…that’s what you call keen lol.

Thai-riffic! and Con-nerd both sold out at the bookstore so I guess my ‘buy my book or I’ll kill this chicken’ routine worked again

O.W

Hey everyone!

Unicorn Riders is a brand new fantasy adventure series by my friend and writing colleague, Aleesah Darlison. I’m hosting Aleesah on Free As A Word today, part of her “We Ride As One!” Unicorn Riders blog tour. I’m talking to Aleesah about one of her favourite subjects, Heroes and Villains.

Gotta read em all!

Hi Aleesah, thanks for stopping by.
Thanks for having me Oliver, it’s great to be here!

Can you give us a brief overview of what the Unicorn Riders series is about?

Sure, Unicorn Riders is a fantasy adventure series for girls aged seven and over. It’s set in the mystical kingdom of Avamay. The main characters: Willow, Quinn, Ellabeth and Krystal ride magical unicorns and protect their kingdom from evil threats like Lord Valerian (the ruler of the neighbouring kingdom of Obeera) and his henchmen.

Sounds dramatic! What sort of adventures do the Riders get up to?

They rescue royal children from kidnappers, battle to protect cities from invading armies, fight dangerous creatures like eelioses and greaslies, and harness the magic of their unicorns to prevent invasions from evil rulers.

And do all four Riders feature strongly in every adventure?

The Riders usually do go on adventures together. There’s a strong focus on friendship and teamwork in all of the books. Each story is told from the viewpoint of a different Rider, so readers get to know each girl from the inside out. Already, I’ve found readers associating with one Rider or another and seeing each character as someone similar to themselves.

How hard is it to make each of your heroine’s different and unique?

It was hard keeping track of everything, especially at first, but I made sure that I planned everything out from the start. I even drew all of the characters – and I’m not a very good drawer! Each Rider wears a different coloured uniform and wears a unique symbol that represents their personality. I have to be careful to make the dialogue for each heroine unique, too. It was hard doing this at first, but now I’m onto writing my sixth book in the series it’s becoming easier as I get to know each girl better.

Do you think it’s important to have strong female leads in stories?

Definitely. It’s as important as having strong male leads. Young female readers love to see their favourite characters strong and empowered – and know that they can be the same in real life. I’ve really enjoyed creating my heroines for the Unicorn Riders series. I’ve made them strong and independent, yet also given each their own little foibles and ‘areas for improvement’ so they’re not perfect and so they have something new to learn on each of their adventures. I think this makes the characters more realistic and attainable to readers.

Every good story needs a villain.  How do you create yours?

I base them on people I know. No, I’m just kidding! My villains usually come from pure imagination. It’s actually loads of fun creating nasty, destructive characters and pitting them against my heroines to see how they will cope. Sometimes, I find the villains are stronger, more driven and dare I say it, interesting characters than my ‘nice’ girls. I have to be careful they don’t steal the show. I think we’re seeing this more and more in modern literature and film and television: the rise of the anti-hero. I don’t mind if my readers come to enjoy my villainous characters as much as they enjoy my heroines. The villains are just as important to the stories as the heroines are. Without both of them, there’s no story.

Thanks for your time today, Aleesah. I wish you all the best with the series. I know you have a whole bunch of other books, including some neat picture books out soon, can’t wait to see them!

Visit Aleesah’s final blog post for the “We Ride As One!” tour at Dee White’s Kids Book Capers, tomorrow, Friday 11 November : http://content.boomerangbooks.com.au/kids-book-capers-blog/

Previous tour posts can be viewed here:

Monday 24 October: Kids Book Review with Tania McCartney, Fun Facts About Unicorns,

http://www.kids-bookreview.com/

Wednesday 26 October: Running With Pens by Kerri Lane, Marketing Your Book, http://kerrilane.wordpress.com/

Thursday 27 October: Books for Little Hands by Renee Taprell, Inspiration & Setting, http://booksforlittlehands.blogspot.com/

Friday 28 October: Running With Pens by Kerri Lane, Author Interview, http://kerrilane.wordpress.com/

Wednesday 2 November: Bug In A Book with Ang Hall, Meet the Unicorn Riders, http://www.buginabook.com/

Thursday 3 November: Read Plus with Pat Pledger, Series Review, http://www.readplus.com.au/blog.php

Monday 7 November: My Book Corner with Emma, Take the Unicorn Riders Quick Quiz, http://www.mybookcorner.com.au/

Tuesday 8 November: Need to Read This with Sally Hall, Author Interview, http://www.needtoreadthis.com/

Wednesday 9 November: The Book Chook with Susan Stephenson, The Importance of Strong Female Leads in Kids Literature, www.thebookchook.blogspot.com/

That’s all from me, catch ya soon!

O.W

Sawatdee!

I spent last week in Tasmania and learnt many new things about the state island…here are a few…

1. Tasmania’s school system is different! So when I was speaking to year 7 kids, they were in year 8 hehe. I did a workshop for kids in year 6 and 7 in the Learning South HQ, a mix of primary and secondary kids, though year 6 is technically year 7 so yeah, had no idea lol

2. The scenery is beautiful: I had Annette, TATE (Tasmania Association of Tassie English teachers) president be my tour guide, roadie (she packed and unpacked toys), photographer (photos soon) and travelling companion. We drove up to Launceston where I couldn’t keep my eyes off the lush greens and mountain landscape.

3. Big or Small, kids are ready for a laugh! I did a talk in Campbell Town School, where the year 6,7 and 8 kids added up to 45 kids. I had fun in those small town schools. I also visited huge schools like Riverside High, where close to 200 kids in year 7 were crammed into a hall.

4. You can never predict your audience: I had year 9 and 10 kids in Newfolk High…the highest I’d ever done was year 8 (and this is Tassie, so technically it’s year 10 and 11). One of the best gigs I ever did. They gave me some love and I loved them back  and well…the hour just flies by! I also tried some new jokes that have earned their stripes and thrown into my routine now.

5. Teachers are wonderful: I also spoke to many teachers at the TATE meetings. I was really impressed that teachers are trying to get their kids to read in all sorts of ways. One girl who never read a book until year 7 has started to read many books now. Awesome stuff.

Thanks so much Annette and TATE for a week of fun and relaxation and those lovely chilly days (yes it was 13 degrees in November, ah bliss!)

O.W

P.S Special guest Aleesah Darlison will appear on my blog on November 10th speaking about heroes and villains.

Hello!

Yes it’s been ages hey? I’ve written Thai-riffic! 2, dubbed More Thai-riffic! and sent it off to Penguin…so it’s on to the next mission, editing Punchlines.

Last week I went to my first KOALA awards ceremony at Casula Powerhouse. There was 15 of the finest authors this side of NSW with special guest authors such as Andy Griffiths making the trek up north…

Being the 25th anniversary, there was a party theme and the kids made us hats. Some were more practical than others but they were all so cool! I was so glad to be part of the whole thing-and to have kids love Thai-riffic! means a lot to me, kid choice awards are what’s it all about!

Kim Gamble did a lovely Tashi artwork…and he will be our special guest,along with Anne Fineberg for the CBCA Northern Sydney Sub Branch Christmas Party on November 30th! Lock it in your diaries.

I’m off to Tassie this week for more cHEwY fun, flying on Virgin Australia today and as for flying back to Sydney…um hopefully I’ll be able to make it on Thursday’s Darren Hayes concert on that night! Grounded Kangaroo Syndrome hehe, ah wells it should be alright!

More updates soon!

O.W

Last week I went to the Sydney Children Festival for the CBCA’s Books and Brains Quiz…

The stage was all set in the big tent. I got there early to check things out. We were up against the red team who were creaming us in each round. They had a wealth of bookish knowledge.

Amelia from Better Read Than Dead wrote some interesting questions and I was surprised with how much I knew about some of the books. The others just flew by my head. I don’t retain much info after I read a book, well maybe some of my faves but nothing else after I finish it.

Deb Abela was an excellent host and kept the show rolling along…in between weird jazzy musical interludes that introduced the rounds hehe. I had fun with the Blue team, even if I did groan a little too loudly after hearing the categories hehe.

Our team only won because they made the last question worth 7 points and we were trailing by 6. So we got it and then well…we won. It just shows that it’s about how much you know, it’s how you can beg for points haha. I had fun

School hols are coming to an end, I have three weeks to finish off Thai-riffic! 2 and it’s coming along nicely. Can’t wait to share more with you cHEwY gum gums soon!

I’m reading the latest installment of Charlie Higson’s Zombie series, the Fear. Now I haven’t read Michael Grant’s Gone series yet but I think this one will be hard to beat. Higson never mucks around with the action and emotion, it’s taking over my life quicker than a virus haha.

O.W

Yo Yo!

I went to Mosman Prep School for a sundrenched arvo tea. I was joined by illustrator Sarah Davis who showed us a sneak peek of Fearless in Love

Then I went on and did my best to charm the young crowd, they were mostly in year one and two so I dazzled them with toys.

Mark Thomason took us on a journey of mustangs (not the cars, the horses hehe).

Karen Robertson held us together with her cool presentation on Treasure Kai, the books and apps are selling like hot cakes, they’re interactive stories that are a blast for kids.

In fact, you can star in an app in the next Treasure Kai book. You can find more info here.

That night, I went to the CBCA NSW branch AGM, yes all those acronyms mean something…I went there flying the flag for the Northern Sydney Sub branch. They were impressed with what our merry band of booky people have done in the last year.

Speaking of which, we’re having our sub branch Christmas dinner on November 30th with guest speaker and illustrator Gus Gordon. Please come along, it’ll be a blast!

O.W

O.W

My last couple of days at Ipswich Literature Festival were wonderful. On Friday I went to Serviceton South State School with Deb Abela. We both had two workshops each with some of the best kids from the school. I got to use some improv and had fun with the skeleton in their lovely library.

We came up with all sorts of names for this skeleton guy like Mr Skinless and Mr I Need Organs, writing stories about him!

The adults came out to play over the weekend. I got to be a student and learn heaps from my writing pals such as Deb Abela, Aleesah Darlison, Richard Newsome (I got his new Billionaire book…and there’s more to come) and a great storytelling workshop with Tania, she was great!

The dinner theme was Moroccan, based on Jeanie Baker’s Mirror book. We rocked the kasbah and had some fun with belly dancing. Random hehe.

I got to work on Thai-riffic! 2 stories over the weekend. I have nine stories that will be worked and polished until October. That’s my mission now. My lovely editor Heather is also going to give me her first edits on Punchlines so it’ll be a double whammo! It should be all good, I hope haha

O.W