Sep 26, 2011

Deborah Abela: Author Interview: Children's Author

What kinds of fiction did you read as a child, and did you have some favourites?

Loads and all kinds! My favourites that sparked a real longing in me were The Lorax by Dr Seuss and Professor Branestawn by Norman hunter, about a clumsy professor whose inventions invariable go very very wrong.

Would you say your childhood reading has had a distinct influence on how you write fiction now, and why?

Definitely! My first series of books was called Max Remy Superspy, about a feisty girl who is invited to join an international spy agency with a young boy called, Linden. Armed with loads of wild and crazy gadgets (that do sometimes go very very wrong in Max's hands) together they fight some of the world's nastiest, overblown-egoed bad guys. It has the sense of the absurd of my favourite childhood books, but also the warmth. Max begins as a precocious, feisty and sometimes bad-tempered heroine, to a more likeable, trusting, loyal spy and friend.

What did you do before you became a published children's author, and how did you come to write your first children's book and get it published?

For 7 years I was the producer and writer of a national children's TV show called Cheez TV for Network TEN Australia, which gave me the taste not only for cartoons but also writing for a younger audience. I wrote my first book while I was at TEN, pitched it to 6 different publishers and one accepted with an offer to write another.

How would you describe your style of children's fiction or your approach to writing children's fiction?

I don't think I write a particular genre of book, but I do usually have loads of adventure, humour and interaction between characters. I'm not there to teach kids anything but to write stories that hopefully they will enjoy on various levels: the fun, the action, the humour but also the interaction between characters facing the world, trying to find their way through it and make their mark.

Who is another author whose children's fiction you admire and why?

So many!!!!! I read kids' books all the time and have a fascination for the imagination of kids' writers. I love Johnathan Stroud's, The Amulet of Samarkand, Rebecca Stead's, When You Reach Me, Justine Larbalestier's, Liar, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie....and so, so many more.

How would you summarise one of your children's books in one paragraph?

Grimsdon is in ruins. Three years ago a massive wave broke its barriers and the sea flooded the city. Most were saved, some were lost and others were left behind. Isabella and Griffin protect a small group of children who survive due to Isabella’s fighting skills, Griffin’s brilliant inventions and newcomer Xavier's flying machine, but will this be enough to combat sneaker waves, bounty hunters, an evil harbour lord and the creeping rumours of a sea monster?

How would you describe the appeal of this book to readers?

It has action, adventure and sea monsters but also a kids who need each other in order to survive, even though at times they are terrified or are confused about who and what to trust. It also has a brilliant cover by Zdenko Basic which has a wide appeal for both boys and girls, which I love!

How would you summarise a chapter or section from this book in one paragraph?

An evil harbour lord called Sneddon lives on a moored ship and is desperately afraid of water. He has two henchmen who pay regular visits to the kids for 'payment', goods and food they have scavenged and grown. Xavier encourages the kids to stop paying him, that because the adults caused the flood, the kids owe them nothing. Sneddon has his revenge by having the youngest, Fly, kidnapped and tied to the top of a crumbling building in a huge storm. Fly has passed out from the cold and almost drowned by the time the other kids find her. It is then that Isabella decides she has had enough and leaves to fight Sneddon.

How would you describe the contribution this chapter or section makes to the book?

This is a pivotal section of the book. Isabella stands up to a man with two accomplices who she knows can easily overcome her. Breaking her promise to her friends not to seek revenge, she sneaks out in the darkness of dawn and does just that, but she meets a much greater challenge that she could have anticipated.

How would you describe the integration of writing and illustrations in one of your illustrated children's books? If none of your children's books have been illustrated, how would you describe the integration of writing and illustrations in one of your favourite illustrated children's books by another author?

None of my books have been illustrated but the design and illustrations of the covers have been crucial to the entire novel. Grimsdon is by far the most successful cover that completely captures the mood, tone, introduces a few of the main characters and key events. I think it truly teases at what the book is about more completely than any of my novels. The Illustrator was sent an overview of the story and a few key scenes and he was away. Brilliantly.

To what extent would you say fiction written primarily for child readers is different from fiction written primarily for teen readers?

I'm not sure how to answer that except to say they are similar in that both audiences deserve a well-written, well crafted story.

Author website: www.deborahabela.com

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