Thursday, September 15, 2011

Writing Tip # 5: You have a voice!

When I open a new book, often what draws me in is the author’s style or voice. Voice is the author’s unique way of writing – it shows their personality and attitudes. If you use your own voice when you’re writing, it can make the story more interesting for the reader. Some writers experiment by using different voices for their characters. Here are a couple of my favourite examples:

“Peoples are strange! The things they are doing and saying—sometimes they make no sense. Did their brains fall out of their heads?”
(The Unfinished Angel, by Sharon Creech)

“Wrestling with the straps of her survival kit backpack, which she had with her at all times, then jogging down the dry streambed toward home, Lucky thought of a question that Short Sammy's story had lodged into one of her brain crevices. She figured she had so many crevices and wrinkles, almost all of them filled with questions and anxious thoughts, that if you were to take her brain and flatten it out, it would cover a huge space, like maybe a king-size bed.
(The Higher Power of Lucky, by Susan Patron )

Activity:
Pretend you are writing in your own diary. Start off with the words…
Dear Diary. This is how I make my breakfast…
Don’t be afraid to write exactly the way you speak – that’s your voice, and it can give your writing a special spark.

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Tilly Goes to China

Just received in the post today - the Chinese edition of Tilly's Treasure. It's nice knowing so many more kids will meet little Tilly.

Monday, August 1, 2011

Afternoon tea, anyone?

This week I had afternoon tea at Punchbowl Public School, along with three other wonderful authors - Libby Hathorn, Oliver Phommavanh and Susanne Gervay. The event was organised by Carol Keeble from the Children's Book Council, and Trevor Neville, Librarian at Punchbowl Public.

Each author shared their experience of writing with an enthusiastic audience of children and parents. We talked, listened, imagined, empathised...and we laughed a lot. Thank you to Trevor and Punchbowl Public for organising such a great afternoon.



















Thursday, June 30, 2011

Long Live Librarians!

This week I visited Wiley Park Public School as a Role Model for the Books In Homes Project. The Project's aim is to improve literacy by providing disadvantaged children with books they can take home to share with their families - and I'm honoured to play a small part.

I sat in the comfy rocking chair usually reserved for lovely Librarian, Gillian Maugle, and spoke to 70 very eager Year 2 children. What struck me most about these kids was that they already had a love of books...and I have no doubt that their Librarian had at least a little to do with that. The experience verified something I already knew. Schools need Librarians - as much as they need Libraries. Because a Library without one is like a deep, dark cave. It takes a Librarian to shed light on the gems hidden within its walls.

Thursday, June 2, 2011

More good news for Arnie!

Arnie Avery has been shortlisted for Speech Pathology Australia's - Book of the Year Awards. http://www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au/news-and-events/book-of-the-year-awards#Young_Children

Each year, Speech Pathology Australia awards three Australian authors the “Best Book for Language and Literacy Development” in the categories – Young Children, Lower Primary and Upper Primary. Each award is based on the book’s appeal to children, interactive quality and ability to assist speech pathologists and parents in communication and literacy development.

Sunday, May 15, 2011

Writing Tip # 4: Freewriting

Just as athletes warm-up with stretches before they exercise, I often warm-up before writing. My favourite warm-up is freewriting. But what is freewriting? Freewriting is writing without planning, and these are the rules:

1. Write whatever comes into your head (no matter how strange)
2. Don’t correct your work
3. Don’t stop until your time is up.

Why not try it? Write for three minutes without stopping and you might be surprised with what you’ve written. Maybe it could be something you can use in a story.

Sunday, May 8, 2011

Arnie Avery: Crystal Kite Finalist!

Arnie Avery is having an amazing run at the moment. First a CBC Notable Book, and now a finalist in the SCBWI Crystal Kite Awards.