Top Tips for Literacy: Author Interview with Lynette Duffy

 

Author Lynette Duffy, shares with me her journey and how she became inspired to write about the life of a Bunyip in Australia. She is a book reviewer at Creative Kids Tales, a Books in Homes Author Role Model and the Published author of 2 Children's Books and a cook book. 
 
 

 
 
 
What inspired you to write about the Bunyip?    Reading stories about Bunyip’s not existing.  I dislike limiting imagination especially in children so I gave life to a Bunyip & why everybody should believe he exists.
 
What has been your journey up to this point?    I started writing the book as a single story of Australian animals giving a surprise birthday party to someone.  This evolved into a Bunyip being the main character.  I then wondered about a series of single books which then evolved into a chapter book. 
 
As a child, what was your relationship with books?   I was one of those passionate children who could read almost from the first time I picked up a book.  (I was horrible at maths though which is usually the case)  I would hanker for any time I could be free so I could read.  In year 4, I was not merely satisfied with reading, I wanted to write stories too, so I began with short stories & plays.  By the time I was year 10 I was showing my stories to English teachers who then encouraged me to enter competitions.  I went on to win 3rd place for an Australian wide young writer’s competition.  My life as an Author had really begun.
 
What is the most important thing about what you do?   Inspiring children to read, use their imaginations & not be limited by somebody telling them they are no good or not good enough.
 
Do you believe picture books can change the world?    I realised from an early age that inspiring people especially children to read opened the universe to them.  Picture books are the first books that grab children’s attention.  Without picture books most children or even adults would not have started reading.  Even if one cannot read they can tell a story with pictures.  It would be a dark colourless world without picture books.
 
What do you hope people will take away from this experience?   I want everyone to be stimulating young children to read & comprehend.  Never discourage anyone who wants to record imaginings that are floating around in their head, but to encourage them to record them, so maybe later they can see how far they have matured in their writing skills.   Then if they want to take it further they are able to do so.
 
What is next?   I will be finishing Bunyip Tales this year.  Apart from publishing this book, I want to add other stories I have already written to be illustrated & then published as well.   
 You can contact the Book Lady via facebook on the following link www.facebook.com.au/bookladylynetteor Linkedinhttps://au.linkedin.com/in/lynetteduf...