 The World Needs The Wonder You See is a picture book invitation to see the world through the lens of creativity, wonder and imagination. It’s a large format picture book with a paper-feel matt cover and indented title and is quite lovely. I found my copy at my local Dymocks bookstore and took it home for a quiet, slow read.
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I write for children. Sometimes for teens, occasionally for adults, but mostly for children. So, maybe I’m a little biased, but I obviously think writing for children is important. I decided to ask three Christian children’s writers about their approach to writing. I wanted to find out what they write, but also why they write it. What motivates and inspires them? What is, essentially, the heart of a children’s writer?
 The following is a reflection I wrote after visiting the Wade Center, at Wheaton College while I was there for the Write To Publish conference.
We left our bags in a side room and filed into the small museum, following the directions of our guide. Excitement rippled. "Is that the Wardrobe?!" and "Oh look, it’s Lewis’ desk!" But I stood silent. My eyes had found a wall, decorated with a display of covers and author signatures: Lewis, Tolkein, Chesterton, Sawyer, MacDonald. And all of a sudden, I felt like crying.  Offsides is Lori Z. Scott’s Christy award winning* YA novel. It tells the story of Dani, a soccer loving teen, doing her best to feel confident both on and off the field. When her best friend Sol decides they need to make their senior year one for ‘trying new things’, Dani is kicked from her comfort zone. On one hand this novel is a typical teen narrative about friendships, crushes and anxiety. However it’s also more than that. Told from a deep first person perspective, with engaging dialogue and great characterisation, this book takes a close look at the issues and vulnerabilities of teen victims of human trafficking. It also gently gives voice to Dani’s experience of faith and the encouragement God’s word can offer in difficult times.
 This month’s author interview is with Sharon Arpana Edwards. Sharon is an Indian born American I ‘met’ via the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association. AWSA is a member based organisation that equips and empowers women writers and speakers. I became a member after hearing positive reports at one of the writers conferences I attended in the USA and have really enjoyed connecting with lots of different writers. I find it fascinating how writers are influenced by their faith and life experiences. For Sharon, her writing has been directly influenced by her experiences as an immigrant to the US, arriving from Mumbai, India in 1999. Her first book, Pioneer Boulevard, is a collection of stories set in the Indian community of Los Angeles against the backdrop of the 2008 recession. Since then she’s written two non-fiction titles and has just released her first full length novel. She holds two MA’s, one in English (Pune, India) and another in Creative Writing (Keele, UK)!
I hope you enjoy this conversation with Sharon as much as I did... |
The Penny DropsIn high school I used to write what I'd call 'thinks' - little bits of writing about whatever topic or issue I was mulling over at the time. I still write these little pieces. Categories
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