Last month I was thrilled to catch up with my PhD supervisor, Professor Sue Jenkins who was visiting Albany with her partner. It had been about six years since we’d last met and it was lovely to see her happy, relaxed and enjoying her current phase of life. Sue is a very special lady, and a significant mentor to me. She was awarded an Order of
This year began with the passing of my Grandmother. She was a humble and inspiring lady who will be dearly missed. Among her many pursuits and passions, Grandma had a great love for words and education, as seen through her achievement of three University degrees, an enjoyment of cryptic crosswords, of scrabble and writing poetry. Grandma had a rich and full life and I am blessed to
A third picture book manuscript of mine has been picked up by Wild Eyed Press, yippee! I was thrilled to hear it will be illustrated by Rebecca Cool whose beautiful, happy and vibrant illustrations are sure to bring this story alive. I’ve long been a fan of Rebecca’s! The story is a quirky, modern-day Red Riding Hood tale with a humorous, Aussie twist. Also exciting, is talk of it becoming a
Another enjoyable author visit took place before the school holidays with Australian Christian College. Mrs Power, a teacher at the college, kindly invited me to address the lower primary students. The students were just delightful and came prepared with interesting questions about Beyond Our Garden Gate and my experiences as a new author. I was touched to receive a handmade card with illustrations of the children enjoying imaginative games outdoors. As well as
I loved sharing Beyond Our Garden Gate at my first Book Week appearance. The students at Parklands Primary School were an enthusiastic and interested audience. In the Kindergarten to Year One presentation, I was astounded by the children’s spontaneous creativity. As part of this interactive session, volunteers drew pictures on butcher’s paper of natural structures in their own backyards, and depicted what these could become in an imagination game. One girl
August is proving to be a busy month. I have my first Book Week appearance next Thursday at Parklands Primary School. I’m looking forward to presenting three sessions to the students: A closer look at Beyond Our Garden Gate– The story behind the story and using imagination in nature play, A workshop to assist students in turning their ideas into well crafted stories, and A workshop which will focus
One exciting development this month was the arrival of proofs for Beyond Our Garden Gate. I was thrilled to see the beautiful final illustrations produced by Irene King for my story. Wild Eyed Press have four new books that are due to be released in their 2016 catalogue. The proofs allow them to make final minor changes to the color and text before their print run.
As part of Library and Information week, the Albany Public library hosted its inaugural local writer’s forum. I was lucky enough to be invited along as a guest speaker. Being at the start of my writing journey, I focused on the networks and organisations I’ve found particularly helpful since deciding to pursue a career in writing for children. These included: The Society of Children’s Book
After walking in the Tsitsikamma National Park in South Africa five years ago, I sat at a table in a remote village called Natures Valley, drinking Rooibos tea with extended family. As part of the conversation, my husband’s Aunt Moiragh uttered the words, ‘Who knows what lies beyond that garden gate…’ I cannot remember the context of what we were talking about, but the
What are my sources of inspiration? I have endless sources of inspiration with three young children, a beautiful garden to nurture and enjoy, a great community of friends, and living in Albany – a coastal town with striking landscapes, abundant space and beauty. I keep the initial threads for my stories together in an ideas file. Anything from a turn of phrase, a person I pass in the street to a daydream in the