Five Fantastic Facts with author Chrissy Perry

October 30, 2017October 28, 2017 ~ Young Authors Academy ~ Leave a comment

Hi Chrissy, and thanks for joining us on the Young Authors Academy blog.

1. What is the most recent book you’ve had published and can you please tell us a bit about it?

The Green-Eyed Monster. Book six in the Penelope Perfect series.

Penelope is challenged by her mum dating post-divorce and her best friend branching out into a new friendship.

2. What was the first story you remember writing when you were at school and can you tell us what happened in the story?

I made up stories for my niece and nephew. One was about a village entirely coloured orange, and featured a catchy song we still remember!

3. What got you interested in writing in the first place?

My parents were (and are still) avid readers and lovers of language. Mum read us stories every night and dad made them up. My early memories have the poems of A.A.Milne as a constant backdrop.

4. What’s your favourite writing tip and how do you use it in your writing?

Say what you mean to say. Don’t sacrifice meaning for eloquence.

When editing my writing for kids, I comb through each sentence to check that the efficacy of the language. Plus, it’s way better to underwrite than overwrite. Require your readers to work – that’s the fun of the story.

5. What’s your favourite fun activity to do besides writing?

Reading!

You can find out everything you need to know about Chrissie and her books here: http://chrissieperry.com/

The Quite Big Book of Penelope Perfect

Thanks for joining us today on the blog Chrissie.

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Five Fantastic Facts about Author Robert Vescio

October 24, 2017October 22, 2017 ~ Young Authors Academy ~ Leave a comment

Welcome to the blog Robert, and thanks for sharing five fantastic facts about you with Young Authors Academy.

What is the most recent book you’ve had published and can you please tell us a bit about it?

Finn and Puss with Melissa Mackie and published by EK Books. Finn, a young boy, is lonely. Puss, a cat, is lost. Then Finn and Puss meet. Suddenly Finn isn’t lonely anymore, and Puss seems quite happy to be with Finn too. So when Finn sees a ‘Lost’ poster, put up by Puss’s owners, he’s faced with a tough decision. Will he do the right thing?

Finn and Puss is a tender tale that explores ethics and integrity through the friendship of a lonely boy and a lost cat.

This simple story, told in few words, gently explores how sometimes we need to make hard choices but that ‘doing the right thing’ has its own rewards.

What was the first story you remember writing when you were at school and can you tell us what happened in the story?

A story about a bunny who enjoyed digging things up. I always wanted a bunny so I made one up.

What got you interested in writing in the first place?

Books. I am a self-confessed hoarder of books, especially children’s books. I read every night. It relaxes me. Books take you in and out of magical lands. They make you laugh and they make you shiver. But, best of all, they make you dreamy and leave you bursting with excitement.

Reading is fun! You never know where your next adventure will take you…who you’ll meet on your trail…or what you’ll find.

I love to read and I enjoy writing stories and sharing them with children.

What’s your favourite writing tip and how do you use it in your writing?

Write what you know. Think of something close to your heart and make it interesting. If something is very close and dear to your heart the words will flow out easily.

What’s your favourite fun activity to do besides writing?

Going to the movies. It’s a family favourite.

You can find out everything you need to know about Robert and his books, here: www.robertvescio.com

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Five Fantastic Facts about Author Vacen Taylor

October 11, 2017 ~ Young Authors Academy ~ Leave a comment

Hi, today we find out five fantastic facts about author Vacen Taylor.

What is the most recent book you’ve had published and can you please tell us a bit about it?

My most recent book is Starchild: The Healing Stone. This book is the third in a five book series. Essentially, it’s about four children and a small lizard who go on a journey linked to a prophecy to stop the King of Fire from taking over their world.

What was the first story you remember writing when you were at school and can you tell us what happened in the story?

I don’t remember the first story I wrote as a child at school. I was very much an outdoor type of girl. Instead, I pretended (used my imagination) a lot. So lunchtime was when I really wrote stories but not on paper. In the playground, a few of my friends would go on fantastic pretend adventures.

What got you interested in writing in the first place?

To be truthful, my life feels settled when I’m writing. And now, I write in different forms. I like writing books, plays, screenplays and I’ve had my first poem published this year too. It’s exciting to experiment with stories in different expressive forms.

What’s your favourite writing tip and how do you use it in your writing?

Know the rules of writing but be open to breaking them occasionally. To create something different, something unique, we often have to think outside the box. Most recently my play broke many of the play writing rules because the theme was very much outside the box.

What’s your favourite fun activity to do besides writing?

Hiking is my favourite activity. Spending time in the bush with the birds and creatures is when I’m most happy away from writing.

Thanks for joining us Vacen, I’m a huge nature lover as well.

You can find out everything you need to know about Vacen and her books, here: About Vacen Taylor Starchild series

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Five Fantastic Facts about author Dimity Powell

October 4, 2017October 5, 2017 ~ Young Authors Academy ~ 2 Comments

Hi, today we find out five fantastic facts about author Dimity Powell.

What is the most recent book you’ve had published and can you please tell us a bit about it?

The Fix-It Man with Nicky Johnston and EK Books. A tender look at loss and grief and how it affects a young girl and her father following the loss of her mother.

What was the first story you remember writing when you were at school and can you tell us what happened in the story?

A story about a wild filly called Brandy who got lost in a storm. I was mad for horses back then.

What got you interested in writing in the first place?

Reading. It is still my ultimate favourite past time.

What’s your favourite writing tip and how do you use it in your writing?

Silence. Surround yourself with it so you can ‘hear’ the story and your characters. Also, don’t be afraid to live. Life experiences fertilise great story ideas!

What’s your favourite fun activity to do besides writing?

Camping! Because it involves heaps of my other favourite fun activities like eating, hiking, relaxing, swimming, reading…you get the idea.

Thanks for joining us Dimity, I love camping too!

You can find out everything you need to know about Dimity, here: www.dimitypowell.com

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