Pick one of your favourites among the characters from your published fiction stories or a character which is an interesting example from your published fiction. What makes this character one of your favourites or an interesting example of your fiction?
Riley the Little Aviator. Riley is a cartoon version of my son – a typically adventuresome boy who has had the fortune to enjoy much travel. Whilst on a four-year posting in Beijing (Riley was just two when we arrived) I wrote my first Riley adventure (Riley and the Sleeping Dragon: A journey around Beijing) as a memento for my kids and their time in the capital. I never dreamed the book would become a series or that Riley the Little Aviator would become a beloved book character who encourages kids to seek, find, travel and appreciate our world. I adore this character not only because he’s my son, but because his heart and mind are so wide open. He typifies a modern, inventive, adventurous child, who questions things. Who cares. Who actively problem-solves. Who reaches out for, explores and accepts other places – and thrives on our differences, our idiosyncrasies, our cultural oddities. He is also a champion of animals – and I so love that about him.
What kind(s) of character do you consider this character primarily to be, or how would you describe this character?
I would describe him, primarily, as ‘reachable’. Kids can see themselves in Riley. He thrives on creating fandangled, hifalutin contraptions to help him find a grumpy old wombat in Melbourne, but he also loves to make mud pies. He is a brave child who can’t sit still. He is driven to explore and open up new worlds. He’s also inventive in that he actively finds ways to best source the animals he’s looking for in each of the books in the Riley series. He is intelligent, thoughtful, loves a good laugh, and looks out for his friends. He’s a cool kid! And the best thing of all is that other kids have been inspired by him – they dress up like him for Book Week, and one kid and his dad even created a super dooper Riley plane costume!
What is a character from a published fiction story by another author you would compare this character to and why are they similar?
Probably The Little Prince (Antoine de Saint ExupĂ©ry). Not only for the aeroplane reference, but for his adventuresome, questioning and pure spirit. They both share curiosity and creativity – they are both as philanthropic as a young child can be.
To what extent did you use any pre-exisiting character formula, template, paradigm, character design, archetype, or theory or principles of making or analysing character in planning, writing, and refining this character?
The character development for Riley was not overly formatted because he was based on my own son. Also, a real depth of character has not been required because he is a picture book character, and much of his character is revealed via Kieron Pratt’s humorously warm illustrations. Nonetheless, reviewers have talked of Riley as a gorgeous, likeable child – so this minimal inflection – via plotline and imagery – has still been effective. In a literary sense, Riley’s development has been one of osmosis. As each book is created, new depth is added to the character via his interaction with his animal friends and with new plot developments and additions (like the series of contraptions he invents in Riley and the Grumpy Wombat: A journey around Melbourne).
How would you describe the first chapter, scene or section of this story in one paragraph?
Riley is making mud pies in his nanny’s garden. He is with his animal friends from the first three books (each new animal joins him in subsequent books) and they are having a grand old time slopping up some mud. This sets a humorous scene but also makes it clear that Riley is just a typical young lad who likes to play. Whilst making mud pies, Riley spots a hole in the ground. A dark hole with little bits of grass sticking up around it. Everyone stops and stares. What on earth could it be? Being a curious, adventurous soul, Riley decides to go over and stick his head inside the hole. Brave kid. Children are wide-eyed when I read this part to them!
Pick one of your published stories. How would you describe the introduction of the main character, or one of the main characters, in this story?
I start each of the Riley books by showing Riley and what he is doing – straight up. In the first book, he is dreaming. In the second book, he is slurping noodles. In the third book, he’s watching the rain fall at the window. In the fourth book, he is making mud pies. I launch straight into the storyline – and rely on the pictures to show Riley and his mood. The pictures also show which other characters are with him for his latest journey. The first page is also a mild cliff hanger, so Riley’s adventurous character is instantly revealed.
What makes this an effective character introduction for this story?
I love books that start with a little bit of a kapow. It makes the reader feel like they’ve picked up the right book – and instantly want to know more. By introducing a warm, fascinating, adorable character or set of characters straight up, children can form an instant connection – and that connection only builds through the story. Each of my Riley books show Riley in a kid-relatable situation that quickly pulls them into a minor cliff hanger – something that makes them want to turn the page and launch themselves headlong into the story.
What major changes does this character go through, or what major challenges does the character encounter and how does the character respond to them?
Riley searches for an animal in each of the series of books. He searches for that animal in a new and unknown place – so his challenge is not only finding an animal, but navigating unknown territory. As Riley explores the territory, he begins to appreciate his surroundings – and the animal exploration becomes a cultural and geographical exploration that awes him. He learns about a new destination, samples its spoils and enjoys the ride – and when he locates the associated animal, he also learns a little about them. His major challenge, therefore, is to stay steadfast and determined, to be brave and curious – but also to be inventive and clever… where should he look? What can he use to help him search? What will happen when he finds the animal? Riley responds to his challenges with calm and reason – and warmth and humour.
How would you describe the most important minor characters in this story and the changes in their character, or the challenges they encounter and how the respond them?
I adore my minor characters. Riley starts his book series with his panda teddy bear, searching for a sleeping dragon in Beijing. On the second journey to find a dancing lion in Hong Kong, panda and dragon join Riley on the hunt. In the third book, the lion joins them in search of a curious koala in Sydney. In the fourth book, koala joins them all in search of a grumpy wombat in Melbourne – so the team of characters increases as books are released (a challenge for illustrator Kieron!). What I love about these characters is that although they are minor players, their characters are kept strong and consistent via Kieron’s illustrations. Dragon is always sleepy. Lion is always dancing. Koala is always a little loopy. Wombat is consistently grumpy. And everything they do in each book relates to these character specifics, both strengthening their character and providing much giggle-worthy illustration content. They are truly hilarious. The personality and character traits for each minor player is also consistent with their real-life animal behaviour – making the books educational, too.
What does the story gain from the minor characters?
Hilarity. Depth. Complexity. Relatability. Kids hook themselves to a particular character and love to see what each is up to next. Of course, this is all visually-driven. It also builds a strong ‘family’ of players that tie the books in the series together.
To what extent would you describe the characters in this story as typical or atypical of characters in your fiction stories?
They are very typical because this is a series of books and so the characters need to consistently showcase their traits (thereby strengthening them). For example, in Riley and the Curious Koala, we have already learned that panda loves his food (particularly jam sandwiches) and as they tour Sydney, we see him indulging in all manner of delicious local food. In the middle of the book, he has clearly put on some poundage, so later in the book we see him getting into some exercise – a towel ready for a swim at Bondi, a sweat band for a little jogging through Taronga Zoo. These are subtle references and I think subtly is important because it allows kids to find something new each time they repeat read – and fall even more in love with the characters in the book.
Author website: http://www.taniamccartney.com/
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