Hazel Edwards's Blog - Posts Tagged "hazel-edwards"

Although I'm an aqua readaholic (read in the bath) and listen to audio books in the car and have taken up e-books avidly, I'd let my listing of recommended books lapse on Good Reads. Wasn't even sure of how the system linked to social media.

This week's resolution is to catch up. A librarian strongly suggested I update my own book details and covers too.

So I've added an Antarctic bookshelf because my hobby is reading about Antarctica.Jesse Blackadder's 'Chasing the Light' and David Day's Antarctica; a Biography' have been recent finds.

And I've added some of the last year's reviews I wrote of others' work. Now I'll try to work out how to add updated digital editions. Writing books seems to take less time than e-administering them. But luckily there is always the joy of finding a new author and a good read.

Ever used fake I.D.? Since I first named my print YA novel 'Fake ID' I've met a few who have used fake ID and not the ones you would expect. Often it has been for political reasons, not just to get into places when you are under-age. And often they have been grandparent over- age, like my Gran character whose espionage history 15 year old Zoe has to investigate. Now Fake I.D. is an e-book downloadable from the new ASA site, https://www.authors-unlimited.org, I'm expecting more hits, maybe not only for the wrong reasons?

Apt titles for books are vital.Harder than naming children, really. I favour one word cluey titles which are ambiguous like 'Feymouse' ( say it quickly). or even two word titles like 'Outback Ferals' which refers not to those who live in outback Darwin, but feral pigs as a pandemic threat.

Of course authors can't always control how their readers will interprete their titles, or even how they will pronounce them.

But extra long titles like 'There's a Hippopotamus on our Roof Eating Cake' have space challenges and take ages to write.

Little kids say 'Hittopotamus' and that's ok.

Fake.I.D.
ISBN 978-0-9871575-7-7
https://www.authors-unlimited.org

Feymouse
Picture Book Apps from Itunes
http://feymouse.blue-quoll.com

Do you re-read books? For comfort? For style? Nostalgia?
Rarely would I reread a book.And yet since I've recently been reading Laurie R King's series about Mary Russell, the wife of Sherlock Holmes , I've become aware that reading out of sequence is a problem.

I might go back and start from the first book. This is a rare series where the period style is comfortingly different and enjoyed for the Mary character's deductions.

Do you re-read? Why?
The Language of Bees

I read in the bath. Aquareadaholic is the term I use these days. I also read on trains and planes and in waiting rooms.

Recently I was asked to nominate the place where as an author I got the best of my ideas or did my reading.

'The bath!' I said. 'Adding hot water if it's a big idea that needs longer thinking.'

What if there were waterproof books?
Years ago, I jokingly suggested we needed see- through brief cases , so papers could be found easily.

Then an inventor sent me one!
So I have hopes of water proof books from some innovative inventor.

Where do you read?

I go to literary festivals as a reader AND as a writer to re-charge on the enjoyment of finding a new book , author or genre.

I love getting behind the pages as an author explains their process.

I don't have to apologise for being a readaholic. Books as an addiction for ideas are considered normal at a festival. And I also enjoy the cappucinno approach of ideas over coffee & local nibbles.

Recently I attended the Bendigo Writers' Festival and the program of combining a day for young, school students followed by a weekend for adults, meant meeting versatile authors who wrote for varied age groups and interests.

Young podcasters also interview visiting authors.



http://thenewlocal.net/localchats/201...

If they get a gift from me, most friends and family know they're likely to get a book, and probably an Australian one.

Why?

Because I like to support local authors and illustrators.

Books are easy to wrap up and I'm hopeless with sticky tape and fancy bows.

If travelling, it's easier to carry and pack book- shaped flat gifts.

Maybe I'll get books in return? Great.

But lastly, they are gifts of the imagination which outlive other presents. Giving a book, means you are giving access to the mind of another personality for the time it takes to read those pages, and beyond. And if it is a children's book, chances are they will keep all the bits, and not lose vital connections as likely to happen with toys of many partshttps://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/...

Sometimes fiction becomes fact. Authors say 'What if?' and readers say 'Why not?'

As part of the 'Hijabi Girl' launch, illustrator Serena Geddes did 'scribbles' of our character of the therapy reading rat. Students in the audience were fascinated with her process.

A book launch is a bit like a first birthday party for a book project. I've launched the books of other people. I've attended launches as a reader because I was curious about the background behind a particular story or I was keen on the writing of that author.( Or they were a friend!)

But attending a book launch with your co-writer and illustrator such as our recent 'Hijabi Girl' launch at Craigieburn Library was a different kind of shared experience. It's almost as if we had several parents of this book baby of ideas. Co-author Ozge Alkan who is a qualified children's librarian, and who wears a hijab, checked that our cultural references were accurate and respectful, but fun.

And the fictional story we had created was becoming fact. Now there are Aussie Rules footy fan club coloured hijabs. And girls' teams with some players wearing hijabs. Libraries do have therapy pets who encourage children to read aloud. But usually reading dogs, not rats like our character.

Hume Council is a very multi cultural area with 160 languages spoken, according to the Mayor who launched our 'Hijabi Girl'. And I'd had to learn new cultures in order to write a fun book which combined Aussie Rules football for girls, Islamic food and dress culture , friendship, being the new kid, and even soccer.

Plus Rattus Rattus the Reading Rat character who is permitted in the classroom , sitting in the Reading Chair ,as long as any student is reading to the therapy pet, in any languages. There are real pet reading ambassadors like Lachlan, the Reading Dog from Hurstbridge Library. And creations of fiction, like our Rattus Rattus the Reading Rat, who may become fact as schools and libraries adopt reading therapy pets.

So a book launch can launch diverse ideas which become fact. And maybe a few more libraries and schools will adopt therapy pets as 'listeners' for children's reading aloud in any language?

How do others feel about film or theatre adaptations of favourite books?Currently I'm attending some of the national performances of 'Hippo! Hippo! the Musical'(Garry Ginivan Attractions) which was inspired by my picture book ' There's a Hippopotamus on Our Roof Eating Cake' so I'm thinking about the techniques involved with a book crossing into other mediums. From an author's perspective I'm thrilled at the imaginative leap. But theatre does work differently from the solitary experience of a book. Did it give you a different kind of enjoyment? I've been very conscious of the songs and music for theatrical mood setting, whereas authors have only words.

Is there an order in which you prefer to experience a story? Book or theatre first?

When I chauffeur grandkids, I leave the current book I am reading on the car seat. Good conversation starter.
But makes me aware of how vital covers are as clues to entice youthful readers.

For younger children, I leave picture books in the back pocket in front of their car seat. Sort of help- yourself -library. Often the factual books about nature are the most popular.

Having the audio and print book in the car helps reading too.

Each birthday I wrote them a story, starring something which currently interested them that year. Illustrated with photos. e.g. 'Henry, the Boy Who Wanted to be a Pirate'.
It's a thrill when a beginning reader can just about manage a book you have co-written, like 'Hijabi Girl'.

We also exchange e mails or photos of covers of recommendations.I try to read some of the high fantasy or action adventure adolescent choices. That's only fair.

Recently roles have reversed. They are now recommending books to me.

And as an author, it's useful to try out plots...'So what would you like to happen next?' Called research.Hijabi Girl

Recently I read a novel with a detail which was WRONG. Mistakes can make a reader doubt the rest of the book and maybe not finish it.

A reader needs to feel confidence that the author knows what they are talking about. And that the plot could have happened in that place with that kind of character because the details sound credible. Even if it's fiction.

Sometimes I'm an 'expert' reader , if I know something about the subject matter of a novel or I've been to the real place mentioned. Like Antarctica or the outback of Australia. I love reading authors who do their homework about a location like Martin Walker the creator of the French 'Bruno' police novels. And sometimes I'm a naive reader just reading for pleasure and trusting the writer to have been professional enough to have checked details.

As an author, I often request 'expert' readers to give me feedback on my work in progress (W.I.P.) novel. I need to check whether I've got terminology right for that job. Have I got the customs right? Is the setting accurate? Does it sound believable?

Frequently my 'experts' are those with whom I've researched the specialised subject before, especially if a niche area like Antarctic science.

But I also use 'naive' readers, those who read just for the story.

Currently I'm working on an adult mystery with a celebrant-sleuth and I'm very grateful to all the expert celebrants and naive readers who have helped me.