Five Fantastic Facts with Author Helen Chebatte

May 5, 2018 ~ Young Authors Academy ~ Leave a comment

Thanks for joining us on the blog today Helen!

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

I’m very excited to have made my literary debut with a Young Adult novel called BRO. BRO is about the fatal consequences of a fight club in a racially divided high school. It’s narrated by Romeo Makhlouf, an easy-going, friendly Lebanese-Australian teenager who’s challenged to fight or suffer the effects.

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

What an interesting question! Let me see … the first memory that comes to mind is a play I wrote in high school. It was about a shy, quiet girl who falls in love with the toughest, roughest guy at school. I’m guessing I had romance on my mind at the time.

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

I’ve always been interested in creative expression. It’s an uncontaminated and honest way of communicating. With writing I can use my imagination to share what’s in my heart.

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

I come from an acting background so I often relate things back to my drama training. One of the ways I do this is by saying my character’s dialogue out loud. Sometimes I act out their actions to get a feel for their physical qualities. You can really get to know your characters this way and even discover new things about them and the story. This can also help give direction to a moment, scene or chapter.

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

Besides reading (which you’ve probably predicted) I love watching movies! I’m a big fan of world movies especially, I love seeing films from other countries. It’s so interesting to learn about other people’s cultures and views and way of life, through story. I also enjoy taking photos – I’m not good at it … not yet anyway, but I love it!

To find out more about Helen and her book you can visit her site.

Five Fantastic Facts with Author Elizabeth Klein

December 14, 2017December 9, 2017 ~ Young Authors Academy ~ Leave a comment

Thanks for joining us on the blog today Elizabeth.

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

Greenheart of the Forest, published in 2014. Protagonists Dougray, Robbie and Belle are captured by an evil tyrant and taken to Wychwyre. Here they face their greatest challenges as they attempt to free the people, return an elemental to her home-tree and seek a lost crystal.

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

My first story was about a boy who discovers he’s not human. Some villainous government agents attempt to capture him.

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

When I first began reading. I come from refugee parents and we didn’t have a whole lot of money, certainly not enough for books. So, I found the local library, which became my constant haunt.

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

Don’t get discouraged by those rejection letters. They happen to the best of authors. Believe in your writing abilities and keep sending out those manuscripts.

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

Reading a great children’s or young adult book and travelling in my caravan. (Yes, I’m a bit of a gypsy.)

Thanks for chatting with us today Elizabeth. To find out more about Elizabeth and her writing you can visit her website: http://bethloria.com.au/

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Five Fantastic Facts with Author Pauline Hosking

December 7, 2017November 29, 2017 ~ Young Authors Academy ~ Leave a comment

Welcome Pauline and thanks for joining us on the blog today!

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 called Cinnamon Stevens – Crime Buster. It’s a fun, mystery story for readers 9-12. Cinnamon dreams of being a super sleuth. Her chance comes when a class-mate disappears.

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

When I was about thirteen I wrote my first book The Spellbinder’s Secret. Cassandra and her cousin Alison have magical powers. They get entangled in a war between good and bad magicians. Unfortunately it’s still unpublished!

What got you interested in writing in the first place?

I was always interested in writing because I love reading. I think that being able to create characters and tell a story is an amazing gift. Every day I try to do it better.

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

My writing tip is: don’t panic when the words aren’t flowing or you can’t think of an idea. Go for a long walk or have a hot shower. Relax. Your imagination is amazing. Trust that it will, eventually, solve the problem.

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

My favourite fun activity is playing table tennis. I also love going to the beach. Winter or summer doesn’t matter. I just love the sea.

Thanks for joining us Pauline! For more about Pauline and her writing go to:

www.paulinehosking.net

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Five Fantastic Facts with author Michelle Wanasundera

November 29, 2017November 30, 2017 ~ Young Authors Academy ~ Leave a comment

Welcome Michelle and thanks for joining us on the blog today!

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

Bubbles and Puddles – just published!
The stories were originally written for my daughter. They aim to celebrate the simple things in life, like getting lost in the wonder of nature, finding magic in the moment, with tips to help overcome challenges little ones face.

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

I clearly remember very much enjoying writing a story at school and being excited as we were allowed to sit outside and write in the sun. However I can’t remember what the story was about!

What got you interested in writing in the first place?

I’ve always loved reading so it was a natural progression. But receiving a diary for my 10th birthday really encouraged my love of writing. I also enjoyed writing poems from a young age.

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

For rhyming stories I’ve found it so helpful to count out the beats of each line. This helps so much with the scanning and having consistency throughout the poem, or find weak spots.

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

I really love reading, and reading to my daughter, that is fun for us!

Great chatting with you today Michelle For more about Michelle and her writing go to:

Facebook page to Bubbles and Puddles:

https://www.facebook.com/BookBubblesandPuddles/

Website:

http://bubblesandpuddlesbook.com/

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Five Fantastic Facts with author Melissa Gijsbers

November 21, 2017November 18, 2017 ~ Young Authors Academy ~ Leave a comment

Welcome Melissa and thanks for joining us on the blog today!

1. 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 Lizzy’s Dragon, launched in September this year. The book is about a girl called Lizzy who really wants a pet lizard. Instead she discovers something much, much better.

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 have a story that I wrote when I was about 7 about two rabbits called Mark and Melissa. They get married. Not much happens in the story!

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

Writing has always been something that I do. I can’t remember a time when I didn’t write. I only started thinking of creative writing as a career a few years ago as a way to do something I love and get paid for it!

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

Stay true to yourself. Find the writing style that suits you.
I use this in my writing by sticking to topics that interest me and following the processes that work for m. There is no one size fits all way to get your writing done, do find a method that works for you.

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

I enjoy all sorts of fun activities including reading, playing with my kids and their cousins, cross stitch, jewellery making and more! It’s hard to choose just one option.

Great chatting with you today Melissa. For more about Melissa and her writing go to:

From Melissa Gijsbers – www.melissagijsbers.com & www.melissawrites.com.au

Lizzy’s Dragon available from http://stonetablebooks.com/product/lizzys-dragon/

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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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