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Our Feature Book is f2m the boy within by Hazel Edwards and Ryan Kennedy.
Here we interview Hazel Edwards.Can you give us a brief biography of your work?
Admittedly my books do include a rooftop, cake-eating hippo friend, a belly dancing male pig, frequent flyer twins, Antarctic wildlife and experiences as extreme as transitioning gender or pandemics. Then there’s how to write non- boring family histories. But they are not ALL in the one book!
Often I’m asked why I write in such different formats and age-groups as well as on such diverse subjects:
There are three reasons for the range and diversity of my output as a writer.
I have been writing a long time, since my YA novel ‘General Store’ was first published when I was aged 27.
I like to continue to learn new subjects, partly so I can intrigue readers with realistic and ‘freshly observed’settings or dilemmas. Readers are gaining ‘vicarious’ or second-hand experience of seeing things from the character’s viewpoint for the length of the novel.The third reason is my teaching background. Often readers are fascinated by the ‘process’ by which a work was created, especially in new media. So I share how I learnt to craft in media such as magabooks, e-books, puppetry, film, animation or even book- trailers on my author website.
I don’t want to write a novel about a novelist writing a novel or even NOT writing a novel because they have a writer’s block.! That’s self-indulgent and not considering your reader.
Far better to take them to Antarctica on a realistic polar expedition with eco-warrior Kyle in ‘Antarctica’s Frozen Chosen’ or to solve a quarantine dilemma in believable Darwin in ‘Outback Ferals’
And with non-fiction, often it’s the ‘how to’ aspect which I have been learning at the same time. e.g. like event management for ‘Simply events’ book.
Co-writing or collaboration is another way of working with an ‘expert’. I wrote ‘f2m;the boy within’ with Ryan Kennedy who has transitioned from female to male. I also co-wrote ‘Cycling Solo; Ireland to Istanbul’ with my son Trevelyan Quest Edwards. (he did all the cycling!)
But I also write non-fiction for adults and for children, and that means learning about history, psychology or science too. “Difficult Personalities’ contains many strategies which are highly relevant for writers workstyles.
That’s the fun part. I like participant-observation research where I go and do something new so I can write realistically for my character afterwards. Admittedly it’s a good excuse to go on an Antarctic expedition, trek in Nepal, try hot air ballooning or go to belly-dancing 101.
Usually I say I’m a children’s author if asked my occupation because writing for young readers is the most challenging. Every word matters. The story may appear to be simple, and the word count is small, but often there have been many drafts. Deceptively simple writing has often been carefully crafted.
Tell us about your journey to publication. Where were you when you first got a book accepted? Did you have many attempts at publication before being successful?
I’ve had my share of rejections, and still get them. Often I ‘recycle’ those ideas in different formats. Never give up. One in ten is a good return for most creative projects. But pitching a book proposal BEFORE you write all of it, makes good business sense. Saves your time and theirs.
Do you have a favourite book or story that you’ve written?
Possibly my best known books are the ‘There’s a Hippopotamus on Our Roof Eating Cake’ series, illustrated by Deborah Niland. There are now six, all translated into Chinese, on audio and there’s a film about to premiere created by Pocket Bonfire, film-makers for whom the book was a favourite in their childhood.
‘Writing a Non Boring Family History’ is in demand by genealogists (or their families).
But I consider my most significant book as the YA novel, ‘f2m;the boy within’ co-written with Ryan Kennedy because it’s an international ‘first’ about a challenging subject, but it’s written in an accessible way. Ryan is a family friend whom I’ve known since he was 11. He is the first co-author of YA fiction about ftm transition who has actually experienced this.
What does your average day (or week) involve?
Varies. A mixture of original writing, author administrivia and adding useful resources for Aspiring Writers to my website, so I answer things once. I also have a family including two grandsons for whom I write stories each birthday.
When do you write? Do you have any rituals you follow e.g do you listen to music/write notes first?
I write daily 8.a.m. for about 5 hours. But if I’m travelling for research or an author tour, I work on a laptop anywhere.
Are you a member of a critique group or writers centre?
No. But I trial my writing with appropriately aged audiences. Usually I have an ‘expert’ reader who knows the subject matter and a ‘naïve’ who reads for the story only.
Favourite place to read
In the bath or listen to audio books in the car.
What’s the most important tip you would give to new writers?
Consider who you are writing for.
Tell us about your latest books.
- ‘Sir Edward’ Weary’ Dunlop’ is in the new Aussie Heroes series published by New Frontier for a readership of 8-12 ‘Fred Hollows' is the next title.
- ‘Duckstar’ easy readers series (print & e-books) satire of farm animal performers.
- New edition of ‘Writing a Non Boring Family History’.
What’s been the biggest achievements in your writing career?
- First book acceptance.
- Fan mail ‘Us mob loves your books. They make us laugh.'
- Nomination for the international Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award in 2010 and 2011.
What can we expect next?
e-books of earlier favourite titles available from my web-site.
Name a place you love (or would love to visit).
Antarctica.
Do you have any ‘need to read’ book recommendations? What are your all-time favourite books?
‘Animal Farm’ by George Orwell. Clever satire which works at child and adult level.
f2m:the boy within
Young Adult Fiction, Ford Street Publishing
Author: Hazel Edwards and Ryan Kennedy
"Tick the box. M or F. Male or Female are the only options 'ordinary' people know about. M for Male. F for Female. You're one or the other. But what if you're not? Like me. As I'm finding out."
All adolescents face the quest for identity, but gender change complicates 'coming of age'. Meet school-leaver Skye who is transitioning from female to male.
For more information about f2m:the boy within click here.
Hazel's latest book ‘Sir Edward’ Weary’ Dunlop’ is part of the Aussie Heroe's series published by New Frontier http://www.newfrontier.com.au/home.htm.Want to know more?
Check out Hazel's website - www.hazeledwards.com
The website is structured to provide resources for aspiring writers (http://www.hazeledwards.com/page/aspiring_writers.html), educators, event organisers and for child readers (free kidstuff’) book trailers and classroom playscripts are popular.
‘The Business of Writing for Young People’ is the first monthly autographed book on special. Soon e-books, The Frequent Flyer Twins ‘ and ‘Project Spy Kid’ literacy mystery series will be available via shopping cart.
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