Audrey of the Outback

'It's A Miroocool' Countdown

2012-01-08T16:55:00.001-08:00

Hi
The countdown to the release of Audrey's picture book 'It's A Miroocool' has begun.

March 1 is the release date.

You can pre-order a copy from several different online bookstores including Boomerang Books.

There are also Activity Notes for fun, games and learning.

Happy Reading!
Christine Harris

Audrey of the Outback FAQs

2011-08-17T00:32:00.000-07:00

Hi
I had a great list of questions from readers at Masada College, Lindfield.

I thought you all might like to read the answers too:

'... our class and would like to know the following:'

What inspired you to write the books?
I love books, reading and writing them. It's fun and I pretend to be the characters in my stories - it's like acting on paper. I hope my readers will be moved to laugh, think and sometimes cry.

What inspired you to write the Audrey series?
Audrey was a character in 'Outback: The Diary of Jimmy Porter' in the My Story series. People liked her and wanted to read more about her. She ended up with three books of her own.

What inspired you to write all different book series?
I like to try different things. I would get bored doing the same thing all the time. Writing a series allows me to spend more time with my characters. I hate saying Goodbye sometimes.

Where were you when it hit you when you wanted to write Audrey?
My publisher came up with the idea actually. I remember sitting at an internet terminal in Melbourne, reading an email and thinking, Mm. That's a good idea.

What did you feel when the book got published?
Happy for Audrey.

What is you most popular book out of all you have written?
That is hard to answer because it changes all the time. The Audrey series is very popular. It is right up there.

There is an Audrey competition going right now. Entries are open until the end of October 2011.

And remember there are lots of activities and information on the Audrey section of my website.

bye
christine harris

'Audrey's Big Secret' - New Competition

2011-08-10T02:29:00.000-07:00

Hi
Here is a chance to win an autographed bindup volume of the three Audrey of the Outback novels.

What do you have to do?
Write the answer to this question (going from left to right):
On which pages of 'Audrey's Big Secret' can you find the three pictures?
(hint - they are from three different pages and they are only a tiny fraction of the whole picture that was drawn by Audrey's illustrator, Ann James. It is like trying to find where a jigsaw piece fits.)

When does the competition end?
October 30 2011

Who can enter?
Anyone up to the age of 12 years.

How do you send in entries?
Your answers can be addressed to 'Audrey competition' at either
christine(at)christineharris.com
or you can post to PO Box 478, Mount Barker, Sth Australia 5251.

Can you work out which drawings and on what page these come from in the book 'Audrey's Big Secret'?

I look forward to reading your entries,
Christine Harris

Goodbye Tom Kruse

2011-07-04T10:51:00.000-07:00

Hi
Outback mailman Tom Kruse passed away last Thursday. He was 96 years old and the tenth of twelve children.
Tom was famous for driving his truck to deliver mail to Outback Australians.
He used to carry lollies in his pockets so kids raced out to meet him first when his truck turned up at properties.

The ABC website has a short article and photo of Tom. If you click where it says 'Video' you can see some great old film of Tom Kruse.

In 2008 former governor-general Major-General Michael Jeffery unveiled a bust (head and shoulders statue) of Tom Kruse at the Birdwood Motor Museum.

I was there that day.
The Governor-general left in a helicopter, which was exciting.
There was a large crowd gathered outside the museum.
And after the speeches, my friend Bill Marsh sang a few Aussie songs.

Bill Marsh wrote Audrey's song and recorded it with the help of Dave Hansford.

Have you heard Audrey's song?

There are also some fun activities connected to Audrey's song on my website.

To the right is a photo of Bill Swampy Marsh that I took at a Sunday afternoon barbecue.

Happy reading,
Christine Harris

'It's a Miracool" picture book

2011-06-20T01:04:00.000-07:00

Hi

Audrey's picture book release has been delayed to the early part of 2011. This is because of a tie-in with a bookclub.

The artwork is wonderful and I have enjoyed spending time with Audrey again. So I look forward to seeing the whole book.

cheers,
Christine Harris

Swaggie shoes

2011-05-21T22:38:00.000-07:00

Hi
Recently we drove from South Australia, through the Grampians to Sunbury in Victoria.

We stopped at Kaniva for a snack and found a cute little shoe museum in the back of a store.

The shearers' mocassins (above) are made from bags.

How would you like to wear this pair of swaggie's shoes?

cheers,
Christine Harris

'Audrey of the Outback' news April 2011

2011-04-26T17:28:00.000-07:00

Hi

It's a Miroocool picture book
I have just seen the layout for Audrey's picture book and it's wonderful.
Ann James has done a wonderful recreation of Audrey and the wide land where she lives.
Audrey loses a tooth and is worried about that the tooth fairy won't find her way out in the bush. What can she do?

Audrey ebooks
Also, the three Audrey books are now available as e-books.
The publisher tells me that they also plan to put the Audrey e-books with Amazon, Google and I-tunes library.
But for now, they are on Kobo.

Click to see which are the current supported readers for Kobo files.

There are also smartphones on which you can read about Audrey. There are Kobo apps for android tablets.

Audrey of the Outback series review
'One of the best new series of the past year has got to be Audrey of the Outback. Audrey is a girl who would get along famously with Anne Shirley and Pippi Longstocking. Aside from the fact that they all have red hair, they are all plucky, imaginative girls who aren't going to let anyone tell them what they can't do. In Audrey's case, this would be going to live as a swaggie, pack on her back, with only her friend Stumpy to keep her company. What choice does she have when her older brother has decided he is too old to play games anymore, and her younger brother spends most of his time pretending to be a bird.
In the second book, Audrey Goes to Town, our heroine is excited to visit the Town of Beltana, mainly because of the fact that there is a shop that sells only lollies! But then Audrey's mum gets sick and she and her brother Dougie have to stay in town with Mrs Paterson, a horrible old lady with a nose sharp enough to open a can of peaches. Audrey didn't ever think that she would dread staying in town for a month... but that was before she met Mrs Paterson.
Audrey's Big Secret is the third book out in this fabulous series. In the middle of the night, Audrey looks out into the dark and sees a pale hovering shape. Is it a ghost? An angel? A bunyip?! You will have to read the books to find out.
The Audrey of the Outback series, set in 1930s Australia, has been shortlisted for numerous awards including the Children's Peace Literature Award and the Children's Book Council of Australia Book of the Year for Younger Readers. It is easy to see why when you read the books - Audrey is a fantastic heroine and role model for young girls, and her adventures will keep you enthralled!'
Amelia Vahtrick, Kids Buzz Editor

happy reading
Christine Harris

The Lyrebird and the Chainsaw!

2011-04-03T00:49:00.000-07:00

Hi
Yesterday friends of ours told us a story about frequently hearing a chainsaw when they moved to Eastern Victoria.
After a while they investigated and discovered the 'chainsaw' noise was made by a lyre bird.
Then they told us about a lyre bird at Adelaide Zoo that was inspired to mimic the noise of workers building the new panda enclosure.
The following short video (courtesy of YouTube) was on Channel 7 News.

You'd have to hear it to believe it!!
cheers,
Christine Harris

www.audreyoftheoutback.net

Australian Music Songs

2011-03-02T19:03:00.001-08:00

Hi
I was listening to Bill Swampy Marsh's song for 'Audrey of the Outback'
and it led me to a search on the Internet for Aussie songs.

All Down Under website has a heap of Aussie song lyrics and you can play a simple version of the tune - to give you an idea of how it goes. And you can sing along -if no one is listening!

I thought I knew the lyrics of 'Click Goes the Shears' and other favourites, but I was surprised to see the exact words. I guess I didn't know it as well as I thought.

Check them out - you might get a surprise too.
bye

Christine Harris

Audrey's Hardback Collection Release

2011-02-10T16:39:00.000-08:00

Hi
Here is the cover of the 'Audrey of the Outback' collection.
It's lovely. I've seen an advance copy. Cloth bound, all three novels in one. With Ann James' wonderful drawings throughout.
The release date is 1 March 2011. Only a couple of weeks away.
There are lots of places to order it, but Booktopia (online) has a special.
Click here for ordering details.

I have also seen some of the sketches for 'It's a Miracool', due out later this year. Audrey will have her own picture book. Ann James is working hard and, as usual, she has captured Audrey's personality with her artwork.
I look forward to seeing the coloured artwork soon.

bye
Christine Harris

Lissssten to Thissss

2010-12-09T17:35:00.000-08:00

Hello

I like stories. No surprise there.

And I've read a couple lately that did surprise me.

The Australian Outback is home to a variety of animals, including snakes. Now, I admit, they are not my favourite living creature, but I know a couple of ripper yarns about snakes I'd like to tell you.

When I was hiking in Borneo two years ago, the guide pointed out a jungle green tree snake. He said, 'When it flicks out it's tongue, that means it has seen you.'
Just when I was hoping to sneek past him!
The guide also said to be careful when we put our hands on railings if there was a walkway as snakes like to lie there as it was smooth and comfortable for them.

When I was holidaying on Brampton Island, in Queensland, a faremer who lived in central Queensland told me he and his wife heard a tremendous noise in his ceiling. He and his wife thought there was a possum up there. He was too busy to check just then, but the next day he got a ladder and climbed up into the ceiling and found a massive snake skin.
But no snake.
The noise had been the snake shedding its old, dry skin.
They never found the snake.
(Snakes shed old skins because the old ones only stretch so far.)

Fishermen have their stories too.
A man at Corny Point, South Australia, told me that he was out fishing from the shore, alone, and had to 'go kick the bushes' so he took off his thigh-high waders and went into the bushes.
He came back a little while later and just as he reached out to pick up his wading boots, a big brown snake slithered out of them.
So always check your shoes or boots before you put them on when you are out bush.
Audrey points this out to her cousin, Jimmy, in 'My Australian Story:Outback'.

What got me thinking about these stories was the account on the ABC website about a student in Darwin who was surprised by what was in his sports bag. Check it out.

Just as strange, from 2008, in Queensland read what a vet. found inside a snake.

I sometimes think writers are like vacuum cleaners, we go around sucking up stories, listening, taking notes, repeating yarns.

'The universe is made of stories, not atoms' - Muriel Rukeyser

The first law of storytelling. … Every man is bound to leave a story better than he found it. - Mrs. Humphrey Ward

Happy story telling, Christine Harris

rattler cartoon: Wizard of Draws

Letters from 3Blue, Stella Maris, Shellharbour

2010-11-15T00:20:00.000-08:00

Hi

I had some great letters from readers in 3Blue, Stella Maris Primary School, Shellharbour, New South Wales.

Here are some of the comments:

'When it comes to a chapter, we beg Mrs Honey to read the next chapter. You might think that is funny because I think it's funny too. The one I like best is Audrey's Big Secret because Audrey is keeping a secret from her family ...'
Chloe

'I like your Audrey books because at the end of each chapter, you make us want to read more! My favourite book is Audrey Goes to Town because Audrey begs to go to the dance with Boy. It is a very funny book.'
Connor

'... I loved listening mainly because they are funny and have lots of funny sayings that make me laugh. My dad says lots of these sayings as well. I love Audrey because she has a great imagination ... '
Mitch

'I like the Audrey seris because it sounds like it will happen in real life. I also like the names you gave the characters ...'
Giulia

Thanks for some great feedback 3Blue. I like Audrey's sense of humour too. And many of her sayings are ones that my dad says too.

There were a couple of questions included:

How long did it take to write the books?

That is hard to answer directly because the research takes some months. I visited Beltana where Audrey Goes to Town is set and did a couple of trips to the north of South Australia to take lots of photos. The first draft is not the end. Just the beginning. There were many drafts of each book. Altogether, I guess each one took about a year to write and rewrite - and rewrite again.

Are you going to write other books about Audrey and her family?

There is a picture book coming out in 2011. Ann James is working on the pictures now.
In April 2011 there will be a very nice bindup of all three books released.
But for now, sadly, there won't be other novels in the series.

I am working on a mystery series right now, which is different but very exciting.

Hope that answers your questions.

And remember, the Audrey part of my website has activities and latest news.

Oh, and My Australian Story:OUTBACK has more about Audrey when she is a little younger than in her own series. This book is written from the viewpoint of cousin Jimmy.

Thank you, 3Blue and Mrs Honey.

Christine Harris

www.christineharris.com

cartoon: Wizard of Draws

An Audrey bindup is on the way

2010-10-07T21:12:00.000-07:00

Hi

I've just heard that the three Audrey novels will be published in one beautiful hardback cover as a large volume in April 2011. The retail price should be $24.95.
As Audrey would say, 'That's sesiting.'

Meanwhile, Ann James is busy working on the art for the picture bk, which should also be out in 2011.

bye
Christine Harris

Audrey and the WA Premier's Book Awards

2010-08-22T19:06:00.000-07:00

Hi

'Audrey's Big Secret' has just been shortlisted for the Western Australian Premier's Book Awards.

To be eligible, the work must have been published or produced in either the years 2008 or 2009. Authors must be citizens or permanent residents of Australia or the work must have Australia as its primary focus.

There were 404 entries, so I'm very proud of Audrey.

Winners are announced on 1 September 2010.

Happy reading,

Christine Harris

Winter 2010 Newsletter with Competition

2010-08-10T21:00:00.000-07:00

Hi

There is a brand new Audrey newsletter available to download from my website.

Click here to go directly to the page. Look for the red *new* newsletter.

bye
Christine Harris,

Print your Own Audrey Bookmark

2010-07-29T23:20:00.000-07:00

Hi

See Audrey's bookmark?
If you click here you can print your own to mark your place in your Audrey books.
If you cover the bookmark with laminate or clear contact, it will last a long time.

bye
Christine Harris

ps. Audrey's illustrator is Ann James.

Discover More About 'Audrey of the Outback'

2010-07-17T00:47:00.000-07:00

Hi
This is the cover of 'Outback' where Audrey first appeared in print in 2005. This year, 2010, the book was released with this brand new cover in paperback.

If you have read the three 'Audrey' novels and want more, then you can look for this book in shops or ask at your local or school library.

'Outback' is set in 1928, two years earlier than the three Audrey novels and tells about the time cousin Jimmy comes from the city to stay in the Outback with the Barlow family.

There is currently a film option by well-known Australian, Lisa McCune, on the 'Outback' novel. It is up to the second script stage, so you never know, you may just see a young Audrey on screen some time in the future.

Click here to read a short excerpt from 'Outback', which is written in diary form by Jimmy.

bye,
Christine Harris

An Interview with Audrey of the Outback: Part 2

2010-07-10T20:36:00.000-07:00

Hi
Here is part two of the long interview I did with Audrey to help me write the books.
I had to think of the questions, then listen to Audrey as she answered in her own voice.

Who is your best friend?
Stumpy.

What is your fondest memory?
Blowing up the dunny with my brother, Price.

Do you have any hobbies?
Playing hide-and-seek with Stumpy. My cubby houses.

What is your favourite weather?
Rain. I don’t get to see it much, and when I run in the rain I don’t have to bath. I also like clear night with stars for wishing on.

What is your favourite time of day?
The evening – just after we eat tea but before we go to bed. Our family is all together and we talk and read and play. It’s comfortable.

What is your favourite food?
Mum’s fresh bread with plum jam. It smells like home. I like Mum when she smells like bread. The cooked bread, not the dough because that’s sticky and then crusty.

What is your least favourite food?
Kangaroo. It’s chewy and strong and I reckon it’s a bloke’s food.

What is your favourite drink?
Tea with sugar because it makes me feel grown up when I have a cup of tea with Mum at the table with proper plates, and when the bread is really hard you can dunk it in the tea so you can chew it.

What do you find relaxing?
Sitting on a kero tin with Dad, watching the sun go down and waiting for the first star.

What is your favourite animal?
A kangaroo. I like them when they’re in the bush, just not when they’re cooked. I like the way kangaroos turn their ears when they hear you. Stumpy isn’t an animal. He’s only a camel on the outside. Inside, he’s my best friend.

If you missed part 1 of the Interview, click here.

Audrey's picture was drawn by Ann James.

For more fun Audrey information, puzzles, crosswords and printables, click here.

bye,
Christine Harris

An Interview with Audrey of the Outback

2010-07-01T20:54:00.000-07:00

Hi

I am often asked for advice about writing and one of the things that can work well is to interview your character and let them answer in their own voice.

From this, you - the writer - can get many ideas about what to put in your story.

I did this last year with Audrey of the Outback. We sat down for a long chat. So long, in fact, that it will take several Blog entries to tell you it all.

Here are the first questions and answers.

Audrey, what about you is heroic?

I see the good side in people and things. I care about other people’s feelings. I won’t give up. My joy in life. Endless curiosity.

What do you like about people?
The surprising, strange things they do and say. I like it when visitors come to our place.

How do you dress most of the time?
In my brother Price’s old trousers, with rolled cuffs and braces And I have two dresses, one blue, and the other is yellow.

What is your best feature?
My family.
Your family isn’t a feature.
It’s my feature. It’s my question so I can answer it however I want. I choose family.

What is your most prized possession?
I haven't won any prizes. We don’t do prizes in the bush. Is that a city thing? I’d like to see a prize one day. But I do have an emu egg and a book that are special.

Describe yourself in one word.
One word is not enough. I need lots of words for describing. But my mum says I’m imaginative.

What is your first memory?
Dust hissing in a storm.
My mum’s voice. It makes me feel warm, like I’ve always heard it.

What is your favourite game?
Pretend. Cubby houses. Sometimes I’m a lady, sometimes a swaggie. Depends which cubby house I’m in and if I’m wearing a dress or trousers.

What is your favourite toy?
A sardine tin. I used it for a train until I realised that trains have wheels. Then the tin didn’t work. Sometimes things go away when you realise them.

Check out Audrey's Interview Part 2.

The drawing of Audrey is by Ann James.

p.s. If you have any questions you would like to ask Audrey, leave a comment on this Blog and I will ask her to tell you.

'It's A Miracool'

2010-06-21T17:15:00.000-07:00

Hi

I heard from the publisher that the words (also called the text) of Audrey's picture book 'It's A Miracool' have now gone to Ann James (on the right of the picture - and that's me on the far left).

Ann hopes to finish the illustrations early next year - 2011.

I am really looking forward to seeing Audrey in coloured pictures.
Are you?

best wishes
Christine Harris

Emu and Audrey Barlow: a painting

2010-05-24T00:45:00.000-07:00

Hi
Emilie, from Warracknabeal in Victoria sent me this drawing of 'Emu and Audrey Barlow'.

I love it and thought you might like to see it too.

Emilie has a good eye for colour and she has drawn Audrey perfectly.

Thanks, Emilie.

Christine Harris

"Audrey's Big Secret" Quiz

2010-05-20T19:03:00.001-07:00

Hi
Click here to print a brand new quiz based on 'Audrey's Big Secret'.

All you have to do is match the correct answer to each question.

Good luck,

Christine Harris

cover Illustration: Ann James

April 2010 'Audrey of the Outback' news

2010-04-26T03:04:00.000-07:00

Hi
I've just finished the second edit of the words for the Audrey picture book, 'It's a Miracool'.

People sometimes think that writing the text for a picture book must be easier because there are so few words, compared to a novel. Often that is true, but not always. With illustrated books, half of the story is told in the pictures. The writer must remember to leave some of the story to be told by the illustrator.

For example, if you were writing a novel you might describe a character as wearing an orange cardigan. But you wouldn't do that in the text for a picture book because the pictures would show the orange cardigan. No need for the word description.

Getting the balance correct is the main thing.

Also, during April it was announced that 'Audrey's Big Secret' is an Australian Children's Book Council Notable Book, which is great.
Thank you, CBC.

If you like crosswords, there are several on Audrey's webpage.

Do you know who wrote the first crossword, and when?
Click here to find out.

Early in May I will be conducting writing workshops in Nelson, Victoria, for students from a high school in Mt Gambier, SA. Looking forward to it. Should be fun.

bye,
Christine Harris

'Audrey of the Outback's news March 2010

2010-03-24T21:57:00.000-07:00

Hi

I am often asked if there will be more Audrey books.
Yes, a picture book.
Yesterday I edited the text (words). I wrote the story two years ago and so it's a funny feeling looking at something you wrote but haven't seen for quite some time.
I still liked the story very much - which is a good sign.
Ann James will do the illustrations during this year. I hope the book will be available next year, 2011.
It is called 'It's a Miracool' - which is one of Audrey's favourite expressions. Sometimes titles change, but I don't see this one changing as it fits the story perfectly.
The story is set when Audrey is a little younger than she is in the three novels.
I'll post any new info about it here.

There will be no fourth Audrey paperback novel.
Earlier I thought there would be. But books are complicated - much more than just putting words on a page or typing onto a computer keyboard. There is editing, design, contracts, publishing, publicity - a whole lot of people work on every book. Sometimes one aspect of publishing works but others don't.

Recently Audrey's publishers, Little Hare Books, was sold to another publisher and things changed.

I will keep add activities from time to time to my Audrey page and will keep on answering any questions about the series (or the picture book) if you want to email me christine@christineharris.com

Actually, I've just begun another, entirely different book. I can see an open door but not what is behind it. The beginnings of an idea but not what it will eventually be. I can see a mystery so I'm going to step through that writing door and follow the path. Scary but exciting.

bye
Christine Harris

'Audrey's Big Secret' shortlisted for SA Festival Awards

2010-02-10T03:50:00.001-08:00

Hi

Great news!

'Audrey's Big Secret' has just been shortlisted for the South Australian Festival Awards for Literature 2010.

The books shortlisted for the Children's Literature section (including Audrey) are:

Randa Abdel-Fattah (NSW), Where the Streets had a Name, Pan Macmillan Books.
Christine Harris (SA), Audrey's Big Secret, Little Hare.
David Metzenthen (VIC), Jarvis 24, Penguin Books.
Glenda Millard and Rebecca Cool (VIC) Isabella's Garden, Walker Books.
Ruth Starke (SA), Noodle Pie, Omnibus Books.
Shaun Tan (VIC), Tales from Outer Suburbia, Allen & Unwin.

Kids Book Review Q & A

2010-01-18T01:36:00.001-08:00

I've just done a Q & A for Kids Book Review Blog.

Click here to check out the inside gossip on where I wrote my first story, what my perfect day would be and more ...

Click here to print 'Audrey of the Outback' notepaper. Surprise your friends with a letter!

bye
Christine Harris

Holiday Activities

2010-01-11T15:12:00.001-08:00

Hi
I hope you're all enjoying your holidays. You've earned them. I've been pretty lazy actually, but today I went out and bought some new pens and highlighters. I reckon the pen you use for writing longhand is really important. I colour code my pens when I'm writing notes for my books. Purple for plot ideas on the right hand page, then green on the left page for the words my characters speak. I love my coloured pens.
How about you?
Have you got a pen that means something special?

If you're looking for something to do, there are lots of activities on my website for Audrey fans.
Here are a few of the many fun activities you could try:

Fun with music - Audrey's song called 'It's a Miracool'.
'Audrey of the Outback' wordsearch.
Help the camel find his way through the maze.
Check out facts and weblinks about koalas.
Colouring sheet for 'Audrey Goes to Town'.

There are plenty more things to do on Audrey's webpage.

'Audrey's Big Secret' Competition

2009-12-01T23:47:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone,

It's time for another competition, based on 'Audrey's Big Secret'.

What do you have to do? Write in less then 250 words, What is your favourite part of 'Audrey's Big Secret', and Why?

When is the closing date? 2 January 2010.

Is there a prize? You will receive a certificate, your writing will be published on this blog, your name will be published on Audrey's webpage at www.audreyoftheoutback.net
And you will receive a surprise gift in the mail.

Where do I sent my entry?
Address to 'Audrey's Big Secret' Competition - and sent to either

P.O. Box 478, Mt Barker, South Australia 5251 or
audrey@christineharris.com

I look forward to reading your entries.

Remember to put your postal address (in case you win - and it might be a good idea to check with Mum or Dad about this) and your age.

bye, Christine Harris, Audrey's writer

Summer Reading Club Online Chat

2009-11-26T21:33:00.000-08:00

Hi
The State Library of Queensland has a Summer Reading Club.

This is their poster.

On 12th January 2010 from 11 a.m. till noon I'll be doing an online chat so that readers can ask me questions in real time via the Internet.

So if have any questions about Audrey, you might like to see about registering for the chat and writing down your questions so I can answer them.

Click here for more information.

The people at the Queensland library say that readers in any state of Australia can arrange to join in, but only Queensland readers can win prizes from the competitions.

I look forward to 'chatting' with you.
Christine Harris

Alphabet Soup Interview with Christine Harris

2009-11-17T18:50:00.000-08:00

Alphabet Soup is an Australian magazine for children, 6 to 12, who love books & creative writing.

There is also a Soup Blog that has stories, updates, news, and media releases to do with the magazine, book reviews, author interviews, and news about book-related events.

The editor, Rebecca Newman, asked me some questions about writing (including the Audrey series). Click here to read the Q & A.

Spring Newsletter

2009-11-16T01:29:00.000-08:00

Hi
Audrey's Spring newsletter is now online, ready to print.
Click here to download it.

And the very first book in which Audrey and the Barlow family appeared, 'Outback:The Diary of Jimmy Porter 1927-28' is being reprinted in April next year in paperback. The title will simply be 'Outback' and Scholastic, the publisher of that book, sent me the cover picture and I love it. Can't show you just yet - but when I can, bet you love it too.

bye
Christine & Audrey

Astrid's Acrostic Poem

2009-11-01T15:34:00.001-08:00

Hi
Astrid, 8, wrote an acrostic poem about Stumpy. Her brother, Lloyd, wrote the last one. Talent obviously runs in families.
I thought you might all like to read what Astrid wrote:

STUMPY
STRONG AND SILENT
TRUE FRIEND
UNDERSTANDS AUDREY
MAKES AUDREY FEEL BETTER
PLAYS HIDE AND SEEK
YET COMES AND GOES WITH A DUST DEVIL.

Lloyd's Stumpy Poem

2009-10-29T01:29:00.000-07:00

Hi

Lloyd, 9, wrote this brilliant acrostic poem about Stumpy:

Strong, imaginary friend

True friends with Audrey

Unbelievable to Price and Mrs. Barlow

May not always behave well

Peers through bushes

Yet he is silent.

'Audrey Goes to Town' Wins Peace Award!

2009-10-23T20:04:00.001-07:00

Hi
'Audrey Goes to Town' is joint-winner of the 2009 Children's Peace Literature Award. The award is given every two years to an author of a book that promotes peaceful resolution to problems or relationships. The prize is given by Psychologists for Peace.

This photo shows me (third from the right holding the book) and the judging panel, which is half book experts and half psychologists.
A psychologist studies and works with people on how they think and behave.

Here is what the judges wrote about the book ...
Audrey and her family temporarily relocate to Beltana when Audrey's mother is expecting another baby. They board with Mrs. Patterson, known locally as Patterson's Curse (a noxious weed). She is a prickly woman who has strict rules and a list of dos and don'ts for the children.
When Audrey's mother is taken suddenly to hospital, Mrs. Patterson declares that Audrey has become her "project". She wants to ensure that Audrey learns good manners, how to knit and how to behave like a lady. However she does not anticipate Audrey's perceptive response, "And you're mine. I'm looking for your good side."
A situation which could have developed into unpleasantness is slowly changed by Audrey's beguilingly honest, direct, humorous and compassionate approach to her carer. Audrey makes an effort to please. She is kind and thoughtful but does not allow herself to become a victim. Audrey acknowledges Mrs. Patterson's kind gestures and is prompt to express her gratitude.
Indeed warmth and generosity are modeled by the Beltana community.
Audrey's perseverance is rewarded when she realizes that Mrs. Patterson's grimness is mainly due to the sorrows she has experienced in her life.
Mutual trust and appreciation develop.
As Audrey says, "At first it was hard to find things on your good side. But then it got easier. You've got one, all right".

'Audrey Goes to Town' shortlisted for Peace Award

2009-10-18T21:49:00.001-07:00

Hi
Some good news this week - 'Audrey Goes to Town' is shortlisted for the Children's Peace Literature Prize.
It is given every two years, to the author of a book for children that has 'literary merit and for demonstrating a balanced example of constructive, non-violent approach towards the resolution of conflict.'
The award is given by Psychologists for Peace.
Keep your fingers crossed for Audrey!!

Christine Harris

2009-10-11T12:13:00.000-07:00

Hi
I receive quite a few emails and letters, asking questions about Audrey of the Outback. Here are a few I've had several times lately, so I thought I'd put them here on the Blog so we can share the answers:

How old is Audrey?
I don't often say how old a main character is because I think it's better for each reader to make up their own mind. Recently I did a little experiment where I asked young readers of different ages what age they thought Audrey was and they each gave their own age. Which is exactly how I like it. And sometimes Audrey sounds quite young, but other times she is very wise. So she is a mixture.

What inspired you to write the Audrey books?
There are always mixed beginnings for stories. For me, anyway. It is usually several things put together. With Audrey, she was a character in 'The Diary of Jimmy Porter 1927-1928 (which is now out of print, but should be available again April 2010 in paperback, with a new cover). Audrey began as a minor or small character, but she kind of grew 'larger' as the novel went on. Audrey makes a strong impression. So she ended up with three books of her own.

What does Audrey eat?
This question has been asked several times and I couldn't think why at first. Perhaps a class of students happened to email me when they were hungry??
But then I thought, maybe, the question was because there are several scenes involving food and eating in the books.
Outback, 1930, and in a poor family, Audrey and the other Barlows eat a lot of meat, mostly kangaroo or rabbit. Because they don't have a fridge, the meat has to be salted so it won't go bad.
They also have a vegetable garden out the back of the house. The rabbits get in sometimes and nibble the vegies, but everyone works hard to keep the vegetables alive.
There are also quandangs - wild peaches - that grow in the bush. There isn't a lot of flesh on them, but Audrey's mum makes pies or jam from them.
The Barlows also eat bread, freshly baked in the outside oven made from crushed ants' nest.
And when Dad goes to a town, he buys jam and a little fruit, which Mum dries and hangs from strings on ceiling hooks in the kitchen to try and keep the dried fruit off the mud floor and away from ants.
And the family have chooks, so they also eat eggs.
Audrey's dad ate tadpoles once but he didn't like them too much.

Does Stumpy always listen to Audrey?
No, not always. Do your pets always listen to you?
Stump also likes to play tricks on Audrey - like poking his head through the open window to make her laugh when she's doing her lessons at the kitchen table. Sometimes he runs off into the bush and doesn't come back for a while. But Stumpy and Audrey are very close and look after each other.

Is there going to be another Audrey book?
The publisher, Little Hare, has a picture book text. So it's up to them when they use it. But it does take time for illustrators to do their work. And Ann James is one of the best. It takes longer, naturally, to draw or paint for a book that has a picture on every page than doing black and white drawings for a novel.

I hope this answers some of your questions. More to come later!

A good book has no ending. ~R.D. Cumming

Holy Cross Primary School Audrey Display

2009-09-22T02:01:00.000-07:00

Hi
Last week I spent the day at Kincumber Holy Cross Primary School, NSW. I had a great time. The students were enthusiastic and asked lots of questions.

One boy came up to me and said, 'I love Dougie.' So Audrey's little brother has his own fans now.

I'm starting to realise how many faces I pull when I'm telling stories!! (All part of the fun.)

Check out the wonderful and brightly coloured display, done by the school librarian, Deb Tildesley.

Students helped out by colouring in the sheets that can be downloaded from Audrey's Fun Page.

'Audrey's Big Secret' reviews

2009-09-19T01:32:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone,
Reviews of the new Audrey book are starting to come in, and I've put two here for you to read.

'I was immediately immersed in Audrey's life in a bush hut in outback South Asutralia in the early part of last century. Audrey personifies every isolated girl who has a rich inner life ... she works with the magical possibilities of the ordinary. Two visitors to the property ... have secrets they entrust to Audrey, which she must conceal from not only her family but Authority at large. Part social history, part backyard adventure, this will be very popular with children and parents ... Christine Harris has created Audrey's world, and in particular her sense of time, in a way which mmakes it very accessible. The pen and ink illustrations by Ann James support and extend the story and the whole is a satisfying package for the reader new to chapter books.'
Margaret Robson Kett, Magpies, September 2009

'A ghost in the night, a stranger in the cubby house and an encounter with the law are all in store for Audrey in this latest book in the 'Audrey of the Outback' series ... Audrey knows only too well the importance of family and what it means to be apart from those you love but in order to protect her friend, Audrey will need to keep the truth from her parents. Our heroine is placed in an awkward position ... Audrey is a likeable character who is loyal and caring and it is through her child's eyes that Christine Harris can weave the themes of the love, loss and the Stolen Generation through the story and present them in a way that is ideally suited to readers six - ten years.'
Junior Bookseller Publisher, September - October 2009

Junior Judges Project

2009-09-10T22:38:00.000-07:00

Hi
'Audrey of the Outback' was shortlisted for Book of the Year: Younger Readers by the Children's Book Council of Australia.
But there was another sort of judging - the Junior Judges Project. I was interested in how the junior judges decided on their awards and whether they enjoyed their task, so I asked Zach, Marin, Bradley, Kieran, James and Jordan from Gymnea Technology High School.

Here are my questions and their answers:

Tell us about the junior judges’ awards?
One day when our group was reading on the back table (like we normally do most lunchtimes), the Librarian, Mrs Larson, asked if we would like to read and judge the six books in the Older Reader category. We agreed and then were told to select one winner and 2 honour awards.

We think the Young Judges Awards was a good way of letting us express our opinions on which book was considered the favourite and a chance to be involved in an educational activity which is fun and enjoyable. It makes you feel like you’re making a difference voting for the book you really like.

How difficult is it to compare several books that are completely different for one award?
Different genres are liked by different people so when the books are all different styles and genres it becomes difficult to decide which is best.

We found it depends on what you are judging the books on. We judged them based on how much we enjoyed them, so it wasn’t really too difficult. If we were judging the books on set criteria, and seeing as the books are different genres, we’d imagine it would be quite challenging and change our end result.

On what basis is selection of winners made? (how do you choose?)
When it came to voting for the winners we were mostly in agreement on the top three. Half of us chose “Kill the Possum” because we couldn’t put it down and had become attached to the characters.

The other half chose “Finnikin of the Rock” because of pure enjoyment and personal liking of the fantasy genre. “Lamplighter” was always in third place.

We sat around as a group and discussed what each person thought was the best. When somebody didn’t agree on a point it would be argued until a result was settled. We tried using the suggested criteria but it caused more arguments.

We chose the winner and honour books based on how much we enjoyed the book, the style of writing (Like in “A Rose” was going from ‘present to past’ or “White Silence’s” ‘journal to Authors findings’) and genre played a part.

In the end “Finnikin was our winner but when the results came out the next day half of us were very happy to find that “Kill the Possum” was the junior judges’ winner.

What did you learn from being a judge?
It opened some of us up to different genres and styles of writing. In one case, it opened him up to reading as a whole!

It let us express our feelings and argue a lot! It gave everyone a chance to be heard, to prove a point and gave us more understanding of how to debate.

How has it changed your own writing?
When we were reading the books we were thinking of how enjoyable a read it was rather than reading them as a case study to change the way we write.

Why do you think the young judges awards winners differ from those chosen by adults?
Well, we had the three books that weren’t chosen as winner/honour books by the adults as our winner/honour books. The three books we picked were in the top three for the Junior Judging in the Older Readers Category. We believe the cause of this difference is simply what criteria Adults and Children vote off. We had a different perspective.

A comment from Mrs Larson: The boys were very committed to the project and I was amazed at the animated discussions as individuals tried to convince others about the relative merits of one book or another. They were quite surprised by the official results. I would recommend this project to teachers and groups and will definitely be participating with an extended group/s next year.

As a follow up to the project we organised a videoconference with Blakehurst High school students to discuss the project and have a general chat about books, reading and libraries.

More ideas about Australia

2009-09-09T17:32:00.000-07:00

I thought some of the other ideas from the 'My Ten Favourite Things about Australia' competition were worth sharing:

The Veronicas are awesome singers, Gold Coast theme parks are so much fun for the whole family to enjoy, with wicked rides to make you scream or be splashed by a bumper water bucket, my house, I love my family that I can learn things from, rainforests with waterfalls, huge sand dunes, delicious food, it’s a free country, we have Aborigines, Aussie rules, damper, Speedo swim suits, Dynamic fertiliser, my bed, kangaroo sausage, Hamilton Island, Uluru, refreshing beaches, I love Australia because we don’t have elephants and so they can’t tread on you, technology, vegetarian bbqs, shorts, nice tourists, great soccer team that’s fair and good sports, TV shows like ‘Australian Idol’, a great spirit, one of the greatest actors Hugh Jackman, Casey Stoner the motorbike rider, Tim Tams, Vegemite, emus, The Great Barrier Reef, cyclones because they’re cool, Tasmanian lakes, black cockatoos, snow, the night sky, Big things like the Big Banana, unique animals like the echidna and platypus, state of origin rugby, cool camping spots, a brilliant netball team, the smell of bbqs, Holden, Ford, the friendly people, free-style swimming.

St George's College, Adelaide

2009-09-07T02:40:00.001-07:00

Here is another 'Audrey of the Outback' Book Week display from St George's College, Adelaide.

Students also wrote letters to Audrey.

Audrey's 'Ten Best Things About Australia' Competition Winners

2009-09-01T00:01:00.001-07:00

Hi
There were so many wonderful entries in the Australia competition that it was hard for the two judges to decide. Eventually, these lucky people were the ones to receive a copy of 'Audrey's Big Secret' - although we reckon they were all 'winners'!
Each entrant wrote their Ten Favourite Things about Australia.

Codie Perry, Bishop Tyrrell Anglican College, NSW.

1. The hot dusty road in the desert.
2. The wildlife jumping around in the country side.
3. The crystal clear dams that shine when the sun shines on it.
4. When it rains on a really hot day and the sun is still out.
5. The koalas relaxing in the gum trees with the baby on its back.
6. Camping with my family in the sunny outback.
7. I love it when it is hot and you go for a swim.
8. When you read a book when it is hot under a nice cool shady tree.
9. Listening to the peaceful birds sing.
10. going for bush walks with my family.

Lucy Razmara, Jan Juc, Victoria.

1. Surfing the clean clear green waves in Torquay at summer.

2. Hiking at Wilsons Promatry in the nature

3. Running and jumping through the white squeaky sand.

4. Swimming under the big blue waterfalls at Kakadu.

5. The snoring growling sound of the koalas when I go to bed in the tent.

6. The bright yellow fluffy pom poms on the wattle tree.

7. The gaggle of the magpies wake me up every morning and makes me feel like home.

8. Wearing boardies every day in the summer.

Truc Mong and Monica Tran, Virginia Primary School, SA

We have a great school (Virginia Primary School) to learn in.
We have hospitals to help us keep safe and healthy.
We have lots of sights to visit like Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney
Opera House and Uluru. We like koalas, kangaroos and bilbies.
We have great TV shows to watch like Funniest Home Videos.
In Australia we recycle and don't litter to keep our environment clean.
We have lots of different languages and cultures. In our class we have children from Vietnam, Italy, Greece, Arabic, Chinese, Cambodia and Australia.
Australia is a new country and we can build new houses and buildings to live in.
We can borrow money from banks to help us.
We live in peace with no wars or fighting.

Amber Wells, Direk Schools, SA

the Outback
the warm air in summer, the cold breezes in winter
all the friendly people who just smile all day
all the famous authors and all the good books
beautiful flowers such as the Sturt desert pea and kangaroo paw
the beaches
the animals and fish
the atmosphere
gum trees and koalas that live in them
famous buildings such as the Opera House and the harbour bridge.

Direk Schools Book Display

2009-08-29T01:32:00.001-07:00

Hi

During Book Week 2009 I visited Direk Schools at Salisbury, Adelaide.
They had a wonderful display for 'Audrey of the Outback' - including real sheep skulls. Toothless would be proud, and so would Audrey!

Just in case you missed it, I thought I should stand and point like a game show hostess!

If your school had/has an Audrey display, why don't you email me the photo and we can share it on this blog?

Canada Bay NSW Book Week Display

2009-08-26T02:44:00.001-07:00

Hi,
These photos are of a Book Week display about 'Audrey of the Outback'.
I just love them.
The staff have gone to a lot of trouble to put pictures of the Outback and they have a new 'visitor' to the library.
Love his eyelashes, don't you?
Happy Book Week, everyone!

'The Outback Post' Winter Edition

2009-08-14T02:33:00.000-07:00

Hi
Only two weeks until 'Audrey's Big Secret' is out. Yay!

If you live near the Gold Coast in Queensland come and see me at the Gold Coast Library on Thursday 20th at 4pm. Competitions, giveaways and hear stories about Audrey's adventures.

The fourth and Winter Edition of the 'Outback Post' newsletter is now available with new information and activities.

Bye,
Christine Harris

Check out Audrey's Fun Page

Ten Things I Love About Australia

2009-07-26T18:20:00.000-07:00

Here are my favourite ten things about Australia.
My list could change from day to day, but here is what I think on Monday 27 July 2009.

the sound of kookaburras
the smell of eucalyptus
white sandy beaches
wild orchards that smell of vanilla
Australian's sense of humour (it's warped, like mine)
freedom
meat pies (Echunga bakery & Millies in the Adelaide Hills have my favourite pies)
blue wrens
the funny way emus push their heads forward when they walk
the blazing yellow of wattle flowers.

Okay, your turn.
Two people will win an autographed copy of the new book 'Audrey's Big Secret'. All you have to do is write down your list of Ten Favourite Things About Australia and email it to:
audrey [at] christineharris.com
or snail mail:
PO Box 478, Mount Barker, South Australia 5251

Remember to include your name, age, and postal address.

Announcing Winners of the Audrey Postage Stamp Competition

2009-07-01T23:39:00.001-07:00

Hi
These are the winning entries in the Design an 'Audrey of the Outback' Postage Stamp competition which ended 30 June 2009.
First prize was $50 worth of autographed books, and each person who earned a Certificate of Merit received one autographed book.

From the top down, the artwork was done by these people:
Winner: Alexandra Warwick, 9, Vic.
Certificates of Merit: Cindy Phaa, 9 Vic; Jana Dixon, 10, SA; Maddison Eccles, 6, Vic; Holly Ashburner, 9, Vic.

I'd love to see postage stamps with any of these designs, wouldn't you?
Bye,
Christine Harris

Speaking 'Strine'

2009-06-25T14:45:00.000-07:00

Hi
Stone the Crows, we have our own special way of using words in Australia. Have a go at this quiz and see how you rate for Aussie sayings.
http://alldownunder.com/oz-u/quiz/australian-slang.htm

In 1964 people began using the word 'Strine' to describe the way Australians speak. We kind of runourwordstogether.
There is a really funny story behind this. In the year 1964, English author Monica Dickens visited Australia. She was at a book signing in Sydney when a woman held out a copy of Monica's book and said, 'Emma Chisit.'
So Monica Dickens wrote her name 'Emma Chisit' in the front of the book, along with an autograph.
Click here ( a link to ozEkoala website) to listen to what the woman actually said.
Can you work it out?

Another example of a Strine saying is: 'Tiger Teasy'.
What do you think that means?

If you can nut out 'Emma Chisit' or 'Tiger Teasy', email me with the answers, and I'll let you know if you're right!

Oo roo,
Christine Harris

Audrey's Fun Page

Audrey of the Outback news: June 2009

2009-06-09T02:24:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone
It's been a while since I wrote in this Blog because I've been away - in Thailand - where I went snorkelling, climbed a mountain with 1237 steps, went to Krabi and Phi Phi island and a cheeky monkey tried to unzip my backpack while I was taking a photo.
I plan to put a few photos up from my trip on my website this weekend.

The Design an Audrey Stamp competition is still open until 30 June 2009. First prize is $50 worth of autographed books. Entries are coming in fast, so don't miss out. Click here for entry form.

Have you had a go at the Word Search from the Audrey Fun page yet?

I've seen the cover for the third book in the series, 'Audrey's Big Secret' and I can you all for the first time - it's Blue! There's been quite a bit of guessing by readers about what colour it would be.

bye,
Christine Harris

Christine Harris at Somerset Festival of Literature

2009-04-28T03:38:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone
In March I was lucky to be invited to the Somerset Festival of Literature, hosted by Somerset College on the Gold Coast, Australia. It was humid, crowded and really exciting.
This video is five minutes of highlights from my author talk.
Bye
Christine Harris

Design a Postage Stamp Competition!

2009-04-23T21:33:00.000-07:00

Hi
There's a brand new Audrey of the Outback competition, and all you have to do is be creative and design a postage stamp.

You can win $50 worth of books autographed by me (Christine Harris).

Closing date is 30 June 2009.

Click here to download the entry form.

Good luck, everyone!
Christine Harris

Year 3's Author Drawings of Christine Harris

2009-04-17T20:47:00.000-07:00

Sometimes it's a surprise to find out how others see you. At other times, you really recognise yourself. Ever seen a photo that someone took of you and thought, That's not what I look like?

Well, recently, I visited St Martin's school, Mt Gambier, in the South East of South Australia.

When I saw their drawings of me, I thought they were spot on. Even I recognised myself.

Click here to see their drawings.

Tony Bones Entertainment: Theatre Performance of 'Audrey of the Outback'

2009-04-16T15:34:00.000-07:00

Hi readers,

There's so much happening with 'Audrey of the Outback' lately.

Tony Bones Entertainment is making a theatre performance based on Audrey to tour schools later in the year, August - September, in Victoria and New South Wales. There will even be a couple of songs composed and the script is being written now.

The picture, above, is of Tony.

I'll tell you more about the performance as I receive more news. Keep watching this Blog!

bye,
Christine Harris

Rinca's Acrostic about Stumpy

2009-04-15T00:45:00.001-07:00

Rinca sent me this email:

Dear Christine,
To make something (an acrostic poem) out of STUMPY I did ...

Silly slippery snakes

Trying to get away

Under the big grey stones

Many get under the big grey stones

Playing happily together together

Yesterday it was.

Rinca, this is a really good poem. Well done.
If I joined the Audrey goes to Town club do we have to pay?

It's free. The publisher, Little Hare books, runs the Club and you email audrey@audreyoftheoutback.com.au
You get a newsletter once a quarter - one every season and there are competitions just for members.
There is also this Blog and click here to see Audrey's Fun Page. There are lots of things to read and do there as well.

When is 'Audrey's Big Secret' coming out?
1st September -just 4 months away.
Click here to read a little from one of the early drafts.

Christine Harris

Camel cartoon: Ecliptic Blue, BigStockPhotos

Stumpy's Acrostic Poem

2009-04-06T02:46:00.000-07:00

Hi
More exciting news. 'Audrey of the Outback' is shortlisted for the Children's Book Council of Australia's Book of the year: Young Readers.
And 'Audrey Goes to Town' is a Notable Book.

I've been having fun lately with acrostic poems.

Here is a challenge for you: Make an acrostic poem using the name, Stumpy.
An acrostic poem is one where the first letter of each line spells a word. But it has to tell readers something about the person. If I wrote one about the frog in the cartoon it would go like this:

Frisky, fiddley frog
Reaches for a goal
Over, over, over the top
Giggles down the little hole.

It doesn't have to rhyme. Mine just happened that way.

Try writing an acrostic poem about Audrey's friend, Stumpy.

It would look like this ...

S----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
U----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
M---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
P----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Y----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Good luck!
Christine Harris

Frog cartoon: The Wizard of Draws

Earth Hour 2009

2009-03-25T23:49:00.000-07:00

Remember, Saturday 28th March 8.30pm - 9.30 pm is Earth Hour. People of all ages can do good things to help the environment. We will be turning off our TV and our lights. How about you?

March News

2009-03-14T16:06:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone,
I've got some exciting news. Some of you already know that Audrey of the Outback has been shortlisted for the Western Australian Children's Choice Awards for 2009 - WAYRBA.

But it has also just been given an International Award, a White Raven. This is from the International Youth Library in Munich, Germany. The award is given to books that deserve worldwide attention because of their universal themes (meaning anyone in any country can understand what it's about) and because of the good writing and artwork.

I'm reading through the galley proofs of Audrey's Big Secret at the moment. Galley proofs are where the words for the book are set out the way they will look in the finished book, but they are still loose pages. This means we get to read through it to make sure it is smooth and has no typing mistakes, and also we make sure that the pictures are in the correct place and match the words. Ann James, as always, is doing a brilliant job of the drawings. I love Ann's work and she and Audrey are rather close. Ann understands Audrey. Check out the drawing from Audrey Goes to Town of Boy, Audrey and Dougie on Audrey's Fun Page.

I think you're going to love Audrey's Big Secret. It has two new characters and more about the ones we already know.

bye,
Christine Harris

Author Photo: by David Harris

Audrey Cartoon Competition Winner!

2009-03-02T10:30:00.000-08:00

This is Sophie Steel, winner of the 'Audrey of the Outback Cartoon Competition'. Her prize is a cute sheep bag and certificate.

Sophie lives in Northern Territory and, in just 8 pictures, she told a story about 'Audrey and the Injured Joey'. Very cleverly done.

A prize for 'Good Work' went to Kartina Ashe in Queensland.
Kartina has a wonderful eye for colour. She has won an autographed copy of Audrey Goes To Town and a certificate.

Don't forget the 'Write a Review Competition' is still open until the end of March. The prize for that is an author visit to your school.
Click here to remind yourself of the details.

Picture Prompts for 'Audrey Goes to Town'

2009-02-22T20:40:00.000-08:00

These photos I took at Pioneer Town, Tailem Bend, gave me some prompts for descriptions in the Audrey books.
Is this how you imagined the biscuit tin where Audrey keeps her treasures?

At Mrs Paterson's house in Beltana, there is a description of a firescreen. Here is the real screen.

This photo to the right is similar to the room that Audrey sneaks into to visit her mum in 'Audrey Goes to Town'. Can you recognise it?

There is also a shop there, with goods, the way it might have looked many years ago. Audrey goes into a store like this in Beltana.

Cottons of many colours for mending and sewing. See the ladies gloves hanging there?

Some goods had to be weighed before the store owner could give the price.

This gives some idea of an old kitchen.
Remember how Audrey's mum cut newspaper to put along the shelf in the kitchen?

Audrey Door Hanger

2009-02-20T16:52:00.000-08:00

You can print your own Audrey doorhanger, like the one pictured to the left here.

Once you have printed the hanger, cut into the circle so it fits over your door handle.

You can either print on paper and laminate, or print on card.

The doorhanger for printing can be found at Audrey's Fun Page.

www.audreyoftheoutback.net

Questions About Audrey answered

2009-02-02T17:13:00.000-08:00

G'day!

Audrey's friends have asked some questions about her, so I thought I'd answer them here so we can all read them.

Sophie Steel asks:
Is Audrey's camel friend real?

Each person would have their own answer to that question. Audrey believes in him and in book three Audrey's Big Secret she says, 'People can only see if they believe.'
Some people - like Price, Audrey's brother - can't believe in him.
But I reckon the famous writer, J.M. Barrie (he wrote Peter Pan) was so clever when he wrote his book The Little White Bird: 'The reason birds can fly and we can't is simply that they have perfect faith, for to have faith is to have wings.'

How many Audrey books are you going to make?
There will be another novel this year, in September probably.
It was going to be called Audrey's Big Secret, but now the publisher is thinking of shortening it to Audrey's Secret, so I'm not sure of the exact title.
Click here to read an excerpt from the book.
You might be surprised to find out that this excerpt is now NOT in the book. Once a writer has finished the first draft, the editor makes changes and one of those changes was to cut a lot out of this scene where the family are reading out letters to each other.
If you click on Five and Twenty Stories the link takes you to another page on this Blog where you can see an edited page from one of the earlier Audrey books.

I don't know what colour the cover will be yet. But the clever and very nice Ann James will be drawing Audrey and her family again.

There was going to be a picture book. I have finished writing it and the contract is signed. But the publishers, Little Hare Books, have decided to delay that picture book, so I'm not sure what will eventually happen. Book publishing is a strange thing!

Some of you might not have heard Audrey's song. If you go to Audrey's fun page you can click to hear it sung by Bill and Dave. My friend, Bill Swampy Marsh, wrote a beautiful tune and words which really sum up Audrey.

Genevieve and Josephine asked:
Has AUDREY got new windows yet at her house?
Not yet, but the Barlows didn't give each other Christmas presents - instead, they are saving up for windows because they all want them.
But Mrs Paterson, from Beltana, has a proper stove that she is giving to the family and on his next trip to Beltana, Dad will pick it up. Audrey's mum is very excited about that because it means she won't have to go outside to bake bread or cook the meals in the open fire place in the kitchen.

If any of you have more questions, just go to my Guest Book and leave me a message. I'll get back to you with an answer.

Bye everyone and Happy Reading.

Help! I'm stuck in the middle of a story.

2009-01-31T16:05:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone,

Sometimes I receive emails and letters about my books or my characters. Other times, readers ask me about their writing. Usually they ask for help when they're stuck.

I do this too. Luckily, my husband David is also a writer and his office is next door to mine. Sometimes we call out to each other for advice.

This week I had an email from Sony and I thought some of you might have had the same problem, so I've put her question and my answer here so we can share them.

Dear Christine,
This is a wanna-be author! I wanted to ask you a question and a bit of advice if that's okay with you. Well you see I've written a plan of my story, but when I'm almost done another load of ideas come that I want to use but that would make my story more complicated and it wouldn't make sense- and you see everything will go wrong and it ends up with me not completing the story and I do want to complete the story without any of those delays.
I know half of what I said hardly made any sense but can you give me any advice whatsoever?
Oh and my question is what's/whose your inspiration that made you get into writing?? Just in case you want to know why I asked that, it's because I'm just being a bit curious there's no harm in that is there?

It's easy to get muddle when you have too many threads.
There are ways to sort this:

Write in one sentence what your story is about.
Stick to this. If a character or plot turn doesn't strictly fit the theme or idea behind the story, then it has to be cut. Even if you really like that character or happening. You can save them and use them in another book.
This works. I wrote a short, funny book to fit a series but the publisher didn't want to use it. I really liked the Grandfather in the story, so I kept him and, with a few changes, used him in Cool Bananas.
You might be surprised to read that Grandpa sat in my ideas file for about 10 years before I found the perfect spot for him.

Write a storyboard or short outline.
Very simple, not a long complicated telling of everything in the story.
You can do a storyboard at any point in your story. Before you start, in the muddly middle or even when you are finished and ready to edit.
This technique is used a lot in script writing for TV series.
Click here to see a sample storyboard for Knocked Out, a short story in Outer Face.
Following your storyboard will help keep you on track.

Record your ideas.
If you're worried that you will forget all your rush of brilliant ideas when you are writing one story, then clean them from your mind by recording them. Sometimes this works. Either sit down with a notebook and pen - or open a file on the computer - and write down all the ideas that are crowding your mind. Keep sitting there until all the ideas are recorded.
Then take a break and come back to finished the story you want to finish.

Decide what you are writing.
Perhaps your idea is so complicated that really is a novel not a short story.
Sometimes writers (of all ages) ask me how long a story should be.
Well, my answer is usually, 'How long is a piece of string?' (same answer)
But generally, a complicated idea takes a lot of words to tell.
A simple idea takes fewer words.

Take a break.
Sometimes writers get stuck if they sit too long and worry.
Take a break from your story, go for a walk a swim - do something active. The answer to your writing problem often comes when you are relaxed and doing something else.

Click here for more hints about what to do when you're stuck writing a story.

Help wanted cartoon: Jeff Bucchino, Wizard of Draws

OLR Podcast Review

2009-01-27T21:44:00.000-08:00

Hi
We've been talking about book reviews lately. So I thought you might like to check out this one by Isabella and Carla at Our Lady of the Rosary School, Kenmore, Qld. They have done such a lot of work to record this and it's great fun as well as interesting.
I'm so pleased they chose one of my books 'Secrets' for their podcast review (the cover they have chosen is the UK edition, but the story is the same as everywhere else).
The picture below shows the artwork that you will see to start the podcast when you Click Here

(You can start the podcast straight away by clicking the little arrow on the bottom left hand of the frame - next to the speaker icon - and they have slides to go with the spoken interview.)

Well done, Isabella and Carla (and Jackie)

'Audrey of the Outback' Shortlisted for WAYRBA

2009-01-19T20:11:00.001-08:00

Exciting News, everyone!

'Audrey of the Outback' is shortlisted for WAYRBA (Western Australian Young Readers Book Award).

Click here to see which books have been shortlisted in the Junior Readers section.

Click here to read how it works.

Audrey of the Outback cover illustration: Ann James

Review Tips for Young Readers

2009-01-10T19:46:00.000-08:00

What's a 'Book Chook'?

Surprise! It's Susan Stephenson.

Well, Susan's Blog anyway. The Book Chook has reviews of children's books and it gives parents tips about encouraging kids to read and write.

I asked 'The Book Chook' some questions about how to write good reviews. Her answers might help any young writers who want to enter Audrey's Write A Review competition.

What is a book review?
A book review is really just one person's opinion of a book. Book reviewers try to give honest feedback about a book they've read, and they do it in different ways. A book review is also a way of communicating with an audience - people who want to know about the book you're reviewing.

What do you like or dislike about writing them?
What I like: See, I really love books. And I love to think that something I might say will help someone else discover a new book, or even get turned on to reading. So when I'm writing a review, I'm imagining a little kid listening to his mum read a story I reviewed, or someone like you discovering how great Audrey of the Outback is. That makes me happy.

Why are they important?
I think book reviews are important to spread the word about great books. A publisher or an author might tell you something, but you might wonder if they are just saying that so you will buy their book. A book reviewer is an independent person who gives their opinion on a book. Book reviews help me to choose new books, especially if I can find a reviewer who likes the same kinds of books I like.

What things do you keep in mind when you are writing a review?
My reviews are mostly written for parents who are looking for a book to buy or borrow for their child. So I try to think what a parent would like to know about a book I've read.
I tell them all the facts like author, illustrator, publisher, to make it easy for them to find the book. I tell them a little about the story, but not too much because I don't want to spoil the ending. I tell them what I enjoyed about the book. And I give them some ideas of things they could do with their kids to follow up on the story.

What do you do if you really dislike a book and you don't want to hurt the author's feelings?
Every reviewer approaches this differently. I decided long ago that I wanted to be a positive person, so I don't like to put other people down. But I also think my readers rely on me to tell them the truth about a book. So, I made the decision not to review books I really dislike. If I can't find positive things to say, I don't write the review.

Do you have any special tips for young writers who would like to try doing reviews?
Read some reviews by young writers to get an idea of what other kids are doing. There are online sites which only have reviews written by kids, like:

A couple of Australian sites with reviews by adults are:

My local library has book reviews online, and you can often find bits from reviews on book covers. If your teacher has asked you to write a book report, that is a little like a book review, too.

If you like writing book reviews, consider having them published.

You can send them to online review sites
Enter review contests like the one on Audrey's blog
Email book bloggers like me and ask if your review can be published on the Book Chook blog
Start your own Book Review blog!
Remember your local library. They are usually thrilled to get reviews, especially from kids who love to read.

What differences are there in writing a review for adults or for young readers? Do they look for different things in books?
You know, I reckon both kids and adults basically want the same things in a book. They want it to be an excellent story, with strong, likable characters and lots of twists and turns to hold their interest.
Probably the main difference for me, would be that my reviews for adults might tend to be longer and have bigger words!

What question do you wish someone would ask you about writing reviews?
I wish someone would ask me to suggest what might go in a kid's book review.

Wait, you just did!

Okay, if you want to write a review, have read lots of other reviews written by kids, but are still not sure where to start, here are some Book Chook ideas.

How to write a review, the Book Chook way:

Choose a book you think you can write about. It may not be your favourite book, but it needs to be one you can describe to others.
Read the book.
Think about what you've read.
Try to answer some of these questions in whole sentences:

What was the book about? Try to describe it in a couple of sentences without giving away the ending. Book-a-Minute Bedtime is a fun site that condenses well-known books in a sentence or two, to give you an idea.
What was your favourite part of the story, and why did you like it?
Who is/are the main characters? Tell us something about them. What happens to them in the story?
What sort of book was it - a picture book, a chapter book, a fantasy book, a book for sport fans?
If there are illustrations, how did they help tell the story?
Did you like the book, and why?
Did any parts make you laugh: which ones?
Did you feel as if you were looking through the main character's eyes?
What sort of people would like this book?

Look at the sentences you have written. Will readers understand what you mean? If not, you might need to add some more.

Write an interesting starting sentence for your review.
Some people like to start with a question. My review of the picture book, Rainbow Sheep, started with 'What do you do to cure a bored, lonely rainbow?'
Readers realised that was the way the book started and were 'hooked' into finding the answer.

Put the sentences you've written into the order that seems best to you.

Remember to put in the book's title, author/illustrator/publisher somewhere in the review. Some reviews put those details separately, after the review. Others weave them into the review.

Read your book review aloud to yourself and check for spelling and punctuation.

Ask someone else to read your review and get their opinion of it. Make any changes you think you need.

Congratulations, Book Reviewer!

Thanks, Book Chook.
For more hints on reviewing, check out Young Writers: Book Reviews on Christine Harris's website.

Wow, that's a mighty lot of hints.

So how about it?

Sharpen those pencils or flex your typing fingers.

Chook cartoon: Roman Dekan, BigStockPhoto
'Audrey Goes to Town' cover illustration: Ann James

Audrey Comic Strip Competition

2009-01-01T01:37:00.000-08:00

Want something a little different to do during the holidays?

Click here to get find out details and to enter the Audrey Comic Strip Competition.

This picture shows you what the blank comic strip looks like.

There's a cute prize!

Competition ends 28 February 2009

Frames photo: Eline Spek, BigStockPhoto

Audrey of the Outback Launch reading

2008-12-10T00:01:00.000-08:00

'Audrey of the Outback' had a great launch into the world at Wadlata Outback Centre, Port Augusta. David read as Price. I read as Audrey. Like the wig?

Quandong Trees

2008-12-05T23:25:00.000-08:00

Hi
Quandongs are mentioned in both of the Audrey books.
Here are two excerpts ...

' ...Audrey frowned. She hadn’t thought about having to catch her food and kill it. At home, Mum, Dad or Price took care of all that. ‘Maybe I’ll eat plants.’
‘I could never work out which things are all right to eat in the bush. Quandongs are good for jam and tarts, of course. But things like paddymelons …’ Mrs Barlow shook her head. ‘If horses eat them, they can go blind.’
‘Dad told me you watch what the birds eat.’
Mrs Barlow mum reached for a thick slice of bread.
'Yes, of course you can. But sometimes birds are able to eat things that upset human stomachs. If you’re not sure, you might want to eat just a little of anything new, then wait to see if you become sick. If you do, then you know not to eat any more.’
Audrey felt her enthusiasm for the swaggie’s life begin to fade. But her belongings were already stacked along the wall. She had announced she was leaving. She couldn’t back out now ...'

'... The quandong stones hanging from her hat on strings jiggled back and forth. Flies still hovered around her face, but not as many. They were frightened off by the swinging stones. There was a gap where a stone was missing. Audrey hoped Price would give her one to replace it. He had a bag of them that he used for marbles. Price wasn’t too old to play marbles ...'

So, what are quandongs?

Click here for a photo and cool facts about them.

And Lisa, from Nuccaleena Cottage, has a Quandong Pie recipe.

Who Invented the First Crossword?

2008-12-01T00:43:00.000-08:00

The World's first crossword was invented by Arthur Wynne in 1913.
Mr Wynne, borne in Liverpool UK, worked on 'Fun', the weekly puzzle page in the Sunday newspaper, 'New York World'.
Would you like to see that first crossword? Click here.
There are two crosswords on Audrey's Fun Page.
If you have already done the first one, the second crossword has questions about 'Audrey Goes to Town'. Why don't you try it?
When you've finished, check your answers.
How did you go?

See Molly's Artwork

2008-11-25T15:08:00.000-08:00

Molly, 7, lives in Boort, Victoria and she drew this picture for Audrey.

Molly is a friend of Meg Last, who's also good at drawing. Check out Meg's picture.

Audrey's friend, Sophie Steel

2008-11-19T20:04:00.000-08:00

This is Sophie Steel. She is an Audrey reader. And both myself (Christine Harris, in case you've forgotten) and the people at Little Hare Publishers reckon she looks like Audrey.

What do you think?

The red colour of the soil is exactly the same at Audrey's place too.

Meg Last's artwork

2008-11-18T20:42:00.001-08:00

Meg Last, 7, lives in Victoria, Australia.
She goes to Boort Primary School.

Meg has a guinea pig called Jamie and lots of chooks.

This is the drawing that Meg did of the Audrey Goes To Town cover.

Isn't it great?

Well done, Meg.

If you, too, like drawing and painting, you might enjoy checking out the Young Writers and Illustrators weblinks page on Christine Harris's website.

Audrey Colouring Competition Winners

2008-11-18T16:23:00.000-08:00

This is Jemimah Webb, 6, from Victoria.
She was chosen by Little Hare Publishers as the winner of the Audrey of the Outback Club colouring competition.
Jemimah won a sheep carry bag.
Looks cute, doesn't it?

Olivia Gompes won a T-shirt.

Have you seen Audrey's webpages?
Little Hare Publishers
Christine Harris's Audrey Fun Page

More Audrey Club Colouring Competition Winners

2008-11-17T19:45:00.001-08:00

Here are some of the winning entries for the Audrey Club Colouring Competition. And Ellie Pollard's magpie was only looking over her shoulder - he didn't help with the colouring in!!

Click here for a full list of winners on Audrey's Fun Page.

Audrey's Friends

2008-11-17T19:02:00.001-08:00

Audrey has friends in many places.

This is Imogen. She wore her Audrey T-shirt to the Frankfurt Book Fair, in Germany.

Imogen looks as though she could be Audrey's sister, don't you reckon?

Welcome to Moolooloo Schoolroom

2008-11-13T16:44:00.001-08:00

Millie and Henry live on Moolooloo sheep station in the Flinders Ranges. Their grandfather lived in Beltana, the town where 'Audrey Goes to Town' is set. They are students of School of the Air.
Here's what they say about themselves:

We have 2 horses, 4 dogs, 1 cat and 3 fish. We like playing with our animals and we like to bounce on our trampoline, draw pictures, read and play games.

Our school room is in the house next to ours. We go to School of the Air. We do some of our lessons with our teacher on the computer. Mum is our supervisor and we are the only kids in our schoolroom! We can see our teacher over the internet and also other kids in their school rooms. It's pretty cool!

Millie and Henry's Mum, Lisa, says: 'We have a REVISE teacher at the moment (Glenys) so that is who you can see in the picture with Henry. REVISE teachers are retired teachers who volunteer their time to come and help people like us for a couple of weeks at a time and is a fantastic service!'

Why do you attend School of the Air?
We are a long way away from a school, our closest one is over an hours drive along some really windy and bumpy dirt roads. School of the Air is the easiest way to learn up here.

Do you have assemblies, like in other schools?
Yes. We have whole school assembly each morning on the internet. It lasts for about 20 minutes and we sometimes have quizzes, work share and the Big Read.

Do you have homework and, if so, how do you hand it in? We are only in Reception and Year One so we don't have too much homework yet. When we do our school work we sometimes do it on the computer or take photos of our projects and send in to our teachers by email.

Have you met the other kids who use School of the Air?
Yes, we meet up a few times a year face to face. We have a school camp in first term which goes for a week and is lots of fun. We have Host School Days each term where kids in our area spend a few days together learning cool stuff and at the end of the year we have Get Together which is a bit like a big sports day with a dance at night and Father Christmas comes on the Sunday. We all love it when we can play together.

What happens when you don't feel like doing lessons?
Millie and Henry say they always feel like doing lessons, but if they don't Mum says too bad! Sometimes if we are shearing we can knock off early and go down to the woolshed to help out. We can also have days off to do jobs around the station but we most times have to catch up the next day.

Is there anything else you would like to tell readers about your school?
It's really fun doing school this way even though we don't get to play with our friends every day. We really like it when we all meet up and have heaps of fun.

Ask Christine Harris A Question

2008-11-09T18:41:00.001-08:00

Hi
I've just started a Guest Book on my website.
So, if you have any questions about the Audrey series, you can leave a question or comment on the Guest Book and I will answer.

Click here to go to the Guest Book.

Beth's Thoughts About Books

2008-10-31T23:49:00.000-07:00

Ever wondered about who writes those quotes on the back of books?

Well, the quote on the back of Audrey Goes to Town is by Beth. Her quote won out of all the ones that were sent to the publisher, Little Hare.

Beth is a keen reader, so I asked her some questions about books:

1.Why you read books? I read books because they are enjoyable, it can be relaxing. If I like the book I don't want it to end. They can be exciting and fun. I don't like sad books and I kinda like learning things in books.

2. What do you like or dislike about covers? And, if you had to design a book cover, what would you put on it? I like covers to be nice and colourful, if they are interesting and have detail, I like it when the cover tells you a little bit of what the book is about for example if it is about dragons you would put dragons on the cover not fairies, I like it when colours go well together, I like the back bit because it tells you about the book before you read or buy it, I also like how covers can make more sense after you've read them.

3. Your name is on the back of 'Audrey Goes to Town'. How did it feel to have your name in print in a book? I felt excited, happy, special and thankful because you chose my name to put on your book.

4. Do you have a favourite place you read or write? I like to read in the garden, on a green chair next to my fish called Bluey, and in bed. I like to write on the little coffee table in my loungeroom, Coral calls it my office.

5. Describe what you think the world would be like if no one could read? There would be no point in having books, you could'nt send letters, text messages or emails, there would be no point in writing and you wouldn't know how to read or spell. you couldn't stay in contact with people overseas, you wouldn't be able to learn too. It would affect the world terribly.

6. In the two 'Audrey of the Outback' books, who is your favourite person, and why? I like Audrey because, she is funny, friendly and polite in the secound book, but she also is the main character to me.

7. If you had a say in what Audrey does next, what would you suggest? In her dreams she flies away to never land, and there are flying camels there for stumpy to play with. And I also like books with cats and kittens in it.

Knit an 'Audrey' Red Scarf

2008-10-04T21:02:00.000-07:00

In Audrey Goes to Town, Mrs Paterson teaches Audrey to knit.

This little verse, helps her:
In through the bunny hole,
round the big tree,
out through the bunny hole,
and off hops he.
This describes how to knit.

To make a red scarf like Audrey you will need:
2 knitting needles, 4 mm
8 ply yarn (3-4 ordinary sized balls, depending on how long you want the scarf)
Or I can highly recommend Bendigo Woollen Mills.
Here is a link to their 8 ply Classic yarn, which is about 4 balls in one long length (so you don't have to tie off and stitch in yarn ends in the middle of the scarf) and it is machine washable and a very reasonable price.
But sometimes, Mums, Nannas or Dads have balls of wool hidden in cupboards or up the chimney - or wherever they keep it - and scrap yarns are good for practice.

The following video shows simply how to cast on and how to do a Knit stitch. Many rows of Knit stitch make a pattern called Garter stitch. It's a good stitch to begin with.

The same size needle - and knitting yarns - have various names in different countries. Click here for a conversion chart. It tells you which needles and yarn to use if you live in the UK or USA.

Knitting Photo: Clabbergirl, BigStockPhoto

Reading from 'Audrey Goes to Town'

2008-10-01T02:19:00.000-07:00

Hi, I'm sitting in my garden here, reading a letter that Audrey wrote to her mum in 'Audrey Goes To Town'. (p. 155).
The birds in my garden decided to 'go to town' as well. Listen to how loud they are. You can see them flitting around in the background.
The bench seat is near the birdbath, so that might explain it.
Behind the camera, where you can't see him, is David Harris.

Click here if you'd like to read 'Audrey Goes to Town', Chapter One, online.

More about Audrey's Books

2008-09-30T03:05:00.000-07:00

If you enjoyed 'Audrey of the Outback' then you'll be pleased to know that book 2, 'Audrey Goes to Town' is now out.

And when you've finished both of those, you can still read about Audrey in 'Outback:The Diary of Jimmy Porter 1927-28'. Audrey often talks about her cousin, Jimmy. And she receives letters from him. This book is written by Jimmy and there are many stories about Audrey when she was younger.

After 1928 there was the Great Depression and jobs were hard to find. People were very poor and some went hungry. In Audrey's books, some of the swaggies say there are more people on the road because there is no work in the cities. They 'jump the rattler' - or hop on a freight train without paying for a ticket (they had no money).
To find out what life was life in Port Adelaide in 1928 during the Wharfies' strike and how happened to a boy called George Dobson, try reading 'Strike!'

Seen the 'Fun with Audrey of the Outback' page on my website yet? It has crosswords, weblinks, puzzles and all sorts of things.

For more about each book, just click on the cover pictures.

See ya!

Beltana Graveyard Photos

2008-09-27T18:27:00.001-07:00

Audrey Barlow walks through this graveyard with Boy, her new friend. This is what Beltana graveyard looks like like today. See how red the soil is?

This second photo is taken from almost the same spot as the first, but facing the other direction. The Flinders Ranges are on the left-hand horizon. And behind the trees on the right is the old railway station (now a private home).

Audrey stops to read this headstone. Read Chapter 29 of 'Audrey Goes to Town'.

Apparently, this family's house burned so quickly because it was made of hessian.

The links below show other photographs I took in Beltana when I was researching 'Audrey Goes to Town'.
Beltana Today
More pictures of Beltana Today

What Does an Editor Do?

2008-09-23T03:36:00.000-07:00

An Interview with Libby Volke

1. What is your job, and why are you needed?
I’m an editor at Little Hare, which means I work as part of a team of people who are involved in creating all the children’s books we publish.

Lots of my time on a project is spent working closely with the author, the publisher and other editors to make sure the finished story is as good as it can be. We do this by checking carefully that what the author writes is clear and interesting for the children who will read the book, and that the story grabs their attention from page one right until the very end.

I also spend lots of time checking and double-checking to make sure there are no spelling mistakes or other mistakes in the finished book, so that it is as perfect as possible. When lots of people work on the same book, sometimes mistakes do creep in, so it is very important to check the story carefully so they don’t end up in the final book on someone’s bookshelf.

2. How do you start when you are editing a book?
I read the story right through, jotting notes as I go. I imagine I am a boy or girl reading the story and then I ask myself questions like: “Is this an exciting enough start to the story?” “Do these characters seem like real people?” “Do I care what happens to these characters?” and things like that.

These notes are then helpful for working with the author on how to make changes to the story so that it is going to really grab the children who read it.

3. What do you need to think about when you correct someone's writing?
Writing a story is a very personal thing. When authors send in their stories, it is like they have put a bit of themselves on paper for us to see. So it is very important to remember this when you go back with comments and be respectful.

Without the author coming up with ideas, characters and the things that happen in the story, there would be no book. So if you would ever like the author to make changes, it is important to discuss them together, to find a solution that everyone is happy with.

4. Can you give an example of two of some of the strange things that can end up in print when stories are not proof-read properly?
Once I was working on a book for children about art, and there was a picture in it of a painting of Marilyn Munroe called “Sixteen Marilyns”. But something had gone wrong with the way the picture had been put into the book, so you could only see twelve Marilyns. Nobody noticed until it was too late, so that was the way it had to stay until we did a reprint.

5. Do you read aloud?
Yes, especially when we are suggesting changes to what the author has written, to make sure it sounds the same as their words do. But I have to do it quite quietly because otherwise the people I work with might think I’ve gone mad.

6. What advice would you give to writers (young) who are about to read over their first draft?
If you just finished typing, put the story away and go and do something else for the rest of the day. Look the story over in the morning when you are fresh, as it will be much easier to see where the story needs tightening if you have given yourself some distance from it.

Then when you do read it again, try and read it as if you have never seen it before. This is what anybody else who reads it will be doing, so if you can get into their head, you’ll be much more likely to spot areas that are dull, or unclear, as well as those which work really well, and this should make it easier to know what to change.

7. Is there anything else about what you do that you think is important to say?
If you are keen to get your work published, do lots of research into which publishing companies are producing your kind of story. Look at publishers’ websites or go and browse in the bookshops etc. You might have written a brilliant short story, but if you send it to a publisher who only publishes novels, it will get rejected. So it’s a really good idea to send your story to people who are publishing similar things, as they are much more likely to be able to work with it.
And don’t give up if you are rejected. Lots of people get rejected loads of times before they get anything published. It doesn’t mean your writing is no good. It just means you need to keep trying.

Have you seen this Editing checklist on Christine Harris's website?

Jeff Bucchino drew the cartoon of the girl reading.

'Audrey' and 'Toothless' at the CBC conference

2008-09-15T03:23:00.000-07:00

'Audrey' (me in my Audrey wig) and 'Toothless' (Ann James in a bush hat) did a reading and book signing at the Children's Book Council Conference in Melbourne this year.
That's Jan, our friend, in the centre. She's a great reader and a librarian from Perth.
Recently I was stuck in one part of Audrey's third book and my husband, David Harris, who's also a writer said, 'Why don't you get out the wig bag?'
Ah ha!
Great idea.
I dressed up as Audrey, put on the wig and a dress and got to work.
I've dressed up as a character before. It's fun and it gets me writing.
Don't laugh till you've tried it!

More pictures of Beltana today

2008-09-14T02:35:00.000-07:00

Audrey Goes to Town is set in Beltana in 1930.
As part of my research I visited the town. It looks much different now, but some of the buildings still stand.
This is the Smith of Dunesk mission church. John Flynn preached here many years ago. He was the man behind the Flying Doctor Service.

This is inside the church. I took this photo through the front window.

In Audrey Goes to Town, Mrs Paterson arranges flowers here.

School House.

Boy gets in trouble here for putting flies in the teacher's glass of water.

Royal Victoria Hotel.

Mrs Paterson stalks past here, muttering about 'riff-raff'.

This hotel is where the Beltana teacher would board.

Sign board showing the interior layout of the hotel - where all the rooms were.