I have a confession to make. I wasn’t a big reader as a child. I was more into sport then. I actually struggled with reading up until the age of eight and then it got a lot better. Still, reading was not my motivation. If I did read for recreation it always involved comics and magazines. Peanuts, Asterix and Mad Magazine were my favourites.
Would you say your childhood reading has had a distinct influence on how you write fiction now, and why?
I write in a way that motivates reluctant readers. I use humour and emotion to capture this audience. I also have a fantastic illustrator, Melissa Daw.
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?
I was, and still am a primary school teacher. This is my full time role, as well as being a dad. My first book was written as a gift for my first son when he was still a baby. I used to sit down on Friday and Saturday nights with my favourite beverage and write. With a newborn baby, night clubbing was out of the question! I was just happy to have something for my son but found a local publisher willing to publish the story. I was ecstatic! I sent my manuscript to a few publishers to no avail but finally hit the mark. After this I decided that I also enjoyed the publishing side of things and started my own publishing business. I have since published another two of my own children’s books and I’m currently publishing for two other authors. I’ve also published three books at the school level for students.
How would you describe your style of children's fiction or your approach to writing children's fiction?
I like to use humour and draw on emotions. My writing is fast paced because I’m aware that children need to be hooked and stay hooked to a story. When writing I am always asking,
‘Would children read this? Would they read it to the end?’
Who is another author whose children's fiction you admire and why?
Well there are a few. Roald Dahl, Paul Jennings, Mem Fox and Rob Scotton are the first that come to mind. If I was to pick one it would be Roald Dahl. His stories are timeless, still popular with children today and vary in style from book to book.
How would you summarise one of your children's books in one paragraph?
I’ll choose Zoe’s Puppy. Zoe’s Puppy is a picture book. My first two are novels. Zoe’s Puppy is a story about love, companionship, loss and moving on. For Zoe’s third birthday, her parents buy her a puppy called Pooky. This story takes you on a journey through their relationship until Zoe becomes an adult. It is a story that teaches children about loss in a gentle way.
How would you describe the appeal of this book to readers?
I love what my illustrator Melissa Daw has done with my story. The vivid colour she used is an instant appeal. The story itself would appeal to any child who has experienced the loss of a pet or loved one. It is a good tool for parents and teachers to use with children for the same reason.
How would you summarise a chapter or section from this book in one paragraph?
There is a part in the story where Zoe is eighteen years old and Pooky dies. She realised that Pooky was there for her all those years and it was time for her to move on with Pooky’s memory in her heart.
How would you describe the contribution this chapter or section makes to the book?
This is the most significant part because it represents a transition in Zoe’s life. The book moves on until Zoe has a daughter of her own, and she is given a puppy for her third birthday. This is where the story concludes.
How would you describe the integration of writing and illustrations in one of your illustrated children's books?
The use of illustrations is very important in children’s literature. Good communication between the author and illustrator ensures you are both complimenting each other and sailing in the same direction. It is a balancing act between what the writer wants and letting the illustrator do what they do best. With Zoe’s Puppy, I gave Melissa free reign about what to illustrate on each page, but communication was constant. She would always email through initial sketches.
To what extent would you say fiction written primarily for child readers is different from fiction written primarily for teen readers?
The difference is in the content. Teen fiction lies in that grey area between children’s and adult fiction. I think writing for teens would be very difficult because you don’t want to patronise them but at the same time you can’t include content you would find in some adult material.
Author website: http://www.joelhart.weebly.com/
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