The Next Big Thing - Start of the Ocean by Michelle Worthington and Ann Marie Finn

Thanks to the lovely Candice Lemon-Scott ( http://candicelemonscott.com/) I’ve been lucky enough to be invited to take part in ‘The Next Big Thing’ – a blog chain which gives authors and artists the chance to provide a sneak peek of their work-in-progress. It’s pretty appropriately named – don’t we all hope our work will indeed become ‘the next big thing’? But also it’s a lovely opportunity to reflect on and share a little of our latest projects. From little things, big things grow so here is a look at my next picture book to be released in early 2013 by Wybble. (www.facebook.com/Wybble)
1) What is the working title of your next book?Start of the Ocean
2) Where did the idea come from for the book? My kids and I love spending time at the beach, and when I was standing with my youngest son at Wellington Point one Sunday afternoon, watching the sparkles play on the water, he asked me what ocean we were looking at, and I said, "we are at the start of the Pacific Ocean" and the idea grew from there.
3) What genre does your book fall under?
Children's Picture Book

4) What actors would you choose to play the part of your characters in a movie rendition?I would love the little girl to be played by a gorgeous fan of mine named Faith, she loves my books and always comes to by storytelling at TLC Books at Manly and she has the most fabulous personality. It is for kids like her that I write my books. I also think that Hugh Jackman should play the lifeguard and that I should personally make sure his D.T's fit him ok...

5) What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?
The world is a big place for a little kid, especially when you are standing at the start of the ocean.

6) Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?
New independent publishing house Wybble at Kelvin Grove will be publishing the book and the gorgeous and talented Ann-Marie Finn from AMF Illustrations will be doing the illustrations. http://amfillustrations.wordpress.com/

7) How long did it take you to write the first draft of the manuscript?
The stories tumble around in my head for a while before I write them down, but it only takes me a couple of hours to get them the way I want them. That is the beauty of writing picture books.

8) What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?
Jordan loved the book Magic Beach by Alison Lester, but I wouldn't dare compare myself to her. Ann-Marie's illustrations on the other hand are absolutely breath taking and they make they are what is going to make this book so successful.

9) Who or what inspired you to write this book?
I usually get my ideas from people or places and this book was inspired by Wellington Point where I take the boys for a play on the weekends. We are hoping to hold our book launch at Wellington Point, with subsequent launches to be held at Noosa, Bribie Island and Byron Bay.
10) What else about the book might pique the reader’s interest?
There is a starfish hiding on every page, can you find it?
Coming soon to www.michelleworthington.com