Hi June, and thanks for joining us on the Young Authors Academy blog!

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

I published Magic Fish Dreaming, a collection of poems for children and families, at the end of 2016.  It is a poetry quest set in Far North Queensland Environment and an invitation to understand and care for nature.

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

The first poem I remember being proud of which I recited to my class with great enthusiasm was about a helicopter seed spinning in the air and making its journey to the ground. The first story I wrote was about the life of Joan of Arc and told in the first person.

What got you interested in writing in the first place?

I was an avid reader from a young age. I enjoyed stories about other places, times and adventures as well as inspiring non-fiction stories, like that of Joan of Arc. Grey Friars Bobby, and the story of Tahirih from Baha’i history.

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

Keep a creative journal and write in it regularly. A journal like this can have anything in it you want.  You can paste photographs and memory trigger objects into it. Make it a safe place to experiment, observe, record, reflect, meditate and record things like your favourite jokes, the first time you tasted kiwi fruit, as well as to store an unusual word or incident that evoked great emotions for you..

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

I love walking in and photographing nature. When walking I pay attention to what the creatures are around and like to photograph plants I can later learn the Latin and common names of.

Thanks for joining us June!

You can find out more about June and her creative work at:  http://juneperk.wixsite.com/gumbootspearlz

Hi Debra, 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 Scared Book asks readers to help it not be scared and to chase away monsters that appear on its pages.

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

It was about a convict escaping from Fort Denison by out-swimming ten sharks in Sydney Harbour! It was called The Old Grass Hut. I still have it!

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

I’ve always loved picture books – I had a collection even as a teenager and I was particularly drawn to animal stories. Then when I started reading picture books to my children, it sparked a desire to write.

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

I love this quote from Robert Cormier: ‘The beautiful part of writing is that you don’t have to get it right the first time – unlike, say, a brain surgeon.’ It frees me up to think of re-writing and editing as a joy because I can keep playing around with words and ideas until they fit together in the best possible way.

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

Walking my donkey (I don’t ride him anymore – we are both too old!) and rock climbing.

You can find out everything you need to know about Debra and her books here: www.debratidball.com

Thanks for joining us today on the blog Debra.

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