Hazel Edwards's Blog, page 2

Are you an 'Expert' or a 'Naive' Reader?

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.

Encouraging Grandkids to Read

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

Book to Theatre Adaptation

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?

Reading Therapy Pets & Launches

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?

Do you prefer LONG or Short Book titles?

I like a book title I can remember , so I can recommend it to friends. The vague phrases just don't stick in my mind.
My ideal would be a one-word ambiguous title , which is a genuine clue to the story inside and to the style in which it is written. If it's a funny book, I want the clue from a funny title.

Sub titles are OK, if they give more clues. But the ultra-long titles, are so difficult to remember.

As an author I have been guilt of using long titles like 'There's a Hippopotamus on our Roof Eating Cake'. But these days I tend to use short titles like 'Hijabi Girl' or 'Outback Ferals.'

And don't have one that's too close to another famous title unless you are parodying it. Which is your favourite title and why?

My favourite LONG title this week is Anna Ciddor's 'The Family With Two Front Doors'. Intriguing.

Picture Book to share BEFORE First Day at School

Reading-sharing is a great way to prepare a child for school. First-timers are always a bit worried about going to a new place like school or kindergarten. So are parents. That’s why I wrote 'Look, There's a Hippopotamus in the Playground Eating Cake' when my children were small and ‘playground’ was used in the title to cover school and kindergarten. Now my younger grandson starts school this year and this picture book is still relevant.
Not having a friend is the BIG worry. Not knowing what to do is another.

The cake-eating hippo is a big friend who has all the answers.

That’s reassuring. Many children have imaginary friends as ways of coping with new situations.

School routines like uniforms, when are the breaks, what do you eat and MAKING FRIENDS are important. It helps to know what might happen.

At a time when parents are worried about their children learning to read and write, children's authors receive wonderful fan letters from very young readers as evidence that specific books have really mattered in a child’s life.

to hazeledweds how do you come up with the i dears about mi skule, love from josephine (5)

Snuggle up and make the experience pleasurable. Re-read and use the pictures as prompts to talk about what happens in a school day. Getting dressed. Packing school lunch. Having a peg for your belongings. Going out to play. Using the play equipment. Listening to the teacher tell a story.

Which is a favourite page? Why? Do funny voices.

Deborah Niland’s illustrations have a mischievous hippo flouting a few rules, but always knowing what to do.

Bibliotherapy is the fancy name for reading books that help you deal with problems. Starting school can be fun, not a problem. You just need a sense of humour and a character like the rooftop-cake eating hippo.

Nanjing Cultural Ambassador & International School Principal Aileen Hall ,’ I recommend this book for students transitioning from kindergarten to school and always buy copies for friends.It even crosses cultures.”’

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'Look, There’s a Hippopotamus in the Playground Eating Cake', illustrated by Deborah Niland. ISBN: 0-14 350140-2 .

Memoir ‘Not Just a Piece of Cake: Being an Author’ (Brolga) is just out and mentions fan mail and literary speed dating with the hippo as imaginary friend.

Why give Books as Birthday & Christmas gifts?

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/...

Why Go to Literary Festivals?

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.



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Aqua-readaholics

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?

Guilt at NOT Finishing Reading a Book?

Until now I've always finished reading even mediocre books, conscious of the amount of work any writer puts into their project. But recently I've become aware that I can't read everything, and that I'd rather read books which are well written and/or give unusual insights.

Has anyone else made the decision NOT to finish a book, and still felt a bit guilty about that? Even if it is an Emperor's New Clothes moment, when it's a best seller and having read the book, you can't work out why it has been acclaimed and wonder if others just read the media release?
That's why I appreciate honest reviews with reasons by other readers and then there's a thrill of finding a genuinely interesting but lesser known book.