Tell us about your most recent publication.
‘Complete Your Book in a Year’(Bookpod) was written to help writers isolated from f2f workshops by the Pandemic. Hazelnuts are those who have been mentored by me and reached publication. There’s a free downloadable schedule to help others planning book length projects.
‘Hijabi Girl’ series 8 year old Melek always finds answers. Some are under her super hijab. For others she needs the help of newcomer Tien who draws fantastic worlds as an escape, dress-ups-guru Lily or even soccer-mad Zac who NEVER agrees with her. Melek wants to start her own Aussie Rules girls' football team
New ‘Hijabi Girl’ book series is to be re-issued by the Islamic book distributor/publisher Ali-Gator and the Larrikin Puppet company will tour Qld in 2021/22. Larrikin Puppeteers for booking performances.
What do you enjoy most about being a writer?
Finding out about others’ lives. Participant
observation research of visiting places like Antarctica or experiencing an
Islamic Iftar (thank you meal during Ramadan) so I can write realistically
afterwards. And it’s wonderful to see a book translated into another language
and culture because the story is universal.
What is the hardest aspect about being a writer?
Learning new technology like Final Draft to make a script
in the right format for pitching to producers. Shooting requested ‘selfies’ interviews while in Lockdown. Formatting.
How much research goes into your writing?
A lot. I believed in visiting settings and interviewing people who ‘do’ what my character needs to know. Or even ‘doing’ it myself like hot air ballooning. Recently I did a Forensic Medicine and Crime Scene Investigation course so that the clues in my adult mysteries with sleuth Quinn the celebrant would be accurate. I travelled on The Ghan several times and used observations in ‘Wed Then Dead on The Ghan’.
I even had to research Aussie Rules football for ‘Hijabi Girl’ as I’m not a footy fan although my co-author wears a hijab in club colours. Ozge also took me to the Immigration Museum for a fashion parade of hijabs.
I also use an ‘expert’ reader to make sure there are no mistakes. Ozge checked the cultural references in ‘Hijabi Girl’ text and illustrations.
Top tips for writers?
Because I get so many request for tips, I’ve compiled answers
here. ASPIRING WRITERS
Do you have a favourite character from your stories?
Everybody likes the cake-eating hippo on the roof which
celebrated a 40th anniversary
in 2020. But my favourite is usually the character I’m writing at the
time.
Five attributes that sum you up?
Persistent, but not patient, risk-taker , interested in characters who cope successfully
with being different. Social justice activist. Aqua Readaholic (read in bath).
What writing resources would you recommend?
Buzz Words
fortnightly online magazine for those in children’s book world.
How can we learn more about you?
My website is the best resource especially the section for Aspiring Writers., Events , book pages with
reviews and downloadable bio and author photos for festivals or projects. Plus
links to all my social media.
I’m muirmoir on Twitter and Instagram and also I’m on Linked In.
My memoir; Not Just a Piece of Cake Being an Author ‘ (Brolga)
shares the realities of being a long-term author and also having a family. And
the fun of getting hippo fan mail like ‘ I haven’t got a friend, will you come
and sit on my roof?’
SCBWI feature: Success story - Hazel Edwards and Serena Geddes
Portable Magic; Sue Lawson interviews Hazel covering lesser
known aspects of being an author long-term.
Check our her social networks below!
Thanks Melissa for starting up the in conversation blogs again. It is always great to get to know more about authors. For some reason, it didn't click with me that Hazel wrote, There's a Hippopotamus On Our Roof Eating Cake.
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