Five Fantastic Facts with author June Perkins

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