An interview with Yvonne
Morrison
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| Image of Yvonne: acknowledgements to Booksellers NZ |
The Three
Bears…Sort of Scholastic NZ
Illustrated by Donovan
Bixley
Shortlisted Picture Book Section New Zealand Post Book Awards for Children and Young Adults 2014
I contacted Yvonne (who is
presently living in the UK) to see if she would like to add anything since she
wrote the answers to these questions but she feels she has managed to tell you
as much as possible in the space.
For an excellent radio
interview with Yvonne broadcast recently on National Radio go to: www.radionz.co.nz/national/.../parenting-teaching-kids-critical-thinking
In a few days I will post
the answers Yvonne gave me when I asked her for some advice for young writers
for the May 2011 edition of Too Good to Miss.
The following questions were
composed by Sarah Forster, Booksellers NZ
As an author, you must have a lot of ideas
floating around. How did you decide to write this book?
I honestly can't remember. I can remember exactly where I was at the time –
lying on a sofa in the spare room – and what I was wearing – pink pyjamas with
zebras on them – and that I was drinking a glass of chardonnay – and that there
was a sitcom on TV – and that I wrote it with pen and paper, unlike most of my
books, which I type. So that's how the idea came out, but I have absolutely no
clue how the idea got into my head. It just appeared, fully formed.
Tell us a bit about the journey from
manuscript to published work. What was the biggest challenge you faced in
publishing this book?
I wrote this manuscript in about an hour, all in one go. Because it isn't
rhyming like a lot of my other books, it didn't require much reworking.
However, at the time, I didn't see how it could possibly be illustrated. I
filed it away on my laptop in a folder I have labelled 'probably not'. (I have
others labelled 'keep trying' and 'everyone hates these'.) A few months later,
I was about to submit some other manuscripts, and just added it as a whim at
the last moment to bulk out the submissions. But the other texts were rejected,
and Three Bears was accepted! So it
shows how much I know about the publishing biz.
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| Image: Acknowledgements to Scholastic NZ |
Scholastic NZ then selected the illustrator – the brilliant Donovan
Bixley who had previously illustrated my Wacko
Kakapo and The Tuatara and the Skink.
I figured I was in good hands then, but was still blown away by the results.
Donovan adds so many layers to text – so many funny touches – and so many jokes
just for adults.
Did you tailor this book to a particular audience –
or did you find it found its own audience as it was written?
I wrote this for an audience of one – me – just to entertain myself, or
possibly my husband too. Now, however, I can see exactly how I would use this
book if I was a parent, or if I was still a primary school teacher (as I was
for eight years), as a springboard for the teaching of critical thinking
skills. I am a sceptic. Many people think this is synonymous with 'cynic' but
there is a difference. Sceptics still see wonder in the world – in nature, and
in art - but simply require that 'factual' claims require proof, and
extra-ordinary claims require extra-ordinary proof. Magical thinkers believe in
things without evidence; critical thinkers make judgements based on evidence.
We are surrounded by so many persuasive people – politicians and marketers,
psychic frauds and medical quacks – making claims that if we vote for them, or
buy their products, we will be richer, or more beautiful, or healthier, or
happier. Critical thinking skills give children armour against this. The Three Bears is a fun way to get kids
to start thinking about the veracity of statements. Kids can practice coming up
with their own questions about other stories. Parents can talk with their kids
about the truth of claims made on ads targeted to them.
Would you recommend any books that you love, that
inspired or informed your book in any way?
Children's books that I love include
Who's a Pest? by Crosby Bonsall, and Benjamin and Tulip by Rosemary Wells.
Both use language beautifully.
Tell us about a time you’ve enjoyed relaxing and
reading a book – at the bach, on holiday, what was the book?
I can't think of a
particular occasion, sorry. I have not read a book for a very long time - apart
from the odd textbook chapter. The last book I read cover to cover was Genetics for Dummies. I have read
approximately 300 scientific papers in the last six months. This is because I
am currently at university, studying for an MSc in Primate Conservation.
However, I have an ever growing (virtual) pile of e-book files to download as
soon as I am done. I tend to switch between scientific non-fiction and fiction,
and I'm afraid my fiction tastes are not at all 'sophisticated'. I like comedy,
such as Christopher Moore, Jasper Fforde and A. Lee Martinez, and my two adult
novels (self-published) are written in this style. I also like cosy mysteries
of the English manor house party style. I watch these on telly too – often just
for the fantastic period costumes of the twenties and thirties. I am a fan of
these decades, and so I LOVE P.G. Wodehouse. As for where to read – anywhere
comfy is fine... hammocks, bed, bath – although the latter has been curtailed
by my use of an e-book reader. I do love the medium though – mostly because I
travel so often. I am homeless and move houses every few weeks, house sitting
full-time. One box of textbooks is enough to lug around without having a stack
of novels too!
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| In the Belize Animal Sanctuary |
What are your favourite things to do, when you aren’t
reading or writing, and why?
I love dancing – my husband and I teach 1920s-1930s style swing dance, and I
love travel, and animals. I am passionate about animal welfare, and do a lot of
campaigning about this. I also enjoy volunteering as a keeper at animal
sanctuaries, and have done this in Thailand and Belize. I urge everyone to do
what they can for wild animal welfare – particularly if travelling overseas -
please be a responsible tourist!
Visit Yvonne Morrison online:
