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Q&A – Some things readers were keen to know

February 21, 2015 by Jacqueline Harvey 56 Comments

Hi Everyone,

Late last year we ran a competition through the newsletter and readers were asked to submit questions that they were keen to know the answers to.  I’m sorry it has taken a while to get them up but I have some excuses (I’ve been extremely busy travelling overseas talking to children in Singapore and the UK about Alice-Miranda and Clementine Rose as well as writing two new books).  We had loads of interesting questions and chosen a selection which I have answered below.

Who inspired you to be a writer?  I had always liked the idea of being a writer and during school and University a few people had said to me that I should think about it.  However, the writing world was a mysterious one and I didn’t meet any authors when I was a child.  In my early years of teaching I used to write a lot for school, including for the local papers too but it wasn’t until my husband encouraged me to give it a proper go about 14 years ago that I thought, ‘you know what, I’m not going to die wondering’.  I didn’t want to walk into a bookshop or a library, twenty or thirty years down the track and wonder if I could have been a writer.  I decided that I’d give it my best and well, what was the worst thing that could happen?  I guess it was not being published.  I think though that even worse than that would have been if I’d never given myself the opportunity to fail and didn’t bother trying in the first place.  While I had some limited success in the first few years, winning an Honour Book in the Children’s Book of the Year awards really made me wonder if perhaps one day writing could be more than a hobby.  Unfortunately after that happened in 2006, it took another four years to have anything new published.  I worked really hard on Alice-Miranda without any guarantee that it would ever become a book.  I decided to write the story I would have loved as a child.  When the first book launched in February 2010, I hoped that children would love her as much as I did.  Almost three years later I gave up my job in school and became a full time writer.  I remember the first time I wrote ‘Writer’ under the occupation section of the immigration card that you have to fill in when you leave Australia to go overseas – it almost didn’t feel real.IMG_3016

Is it difficult for publishers to like your book?  I think this question was meant generally and refers to how hard it is to be published in the first place.  I won’t lie – it’s not easy and many people have loads of rejections before they find a publisher who is willing to take them on.  I was relatively fortunate in the early years and after winning a competition with the Children’s Book Council of NSW found it opened some doors into the secret squirrel business that is publishing.  I think the most important thing is to listen to any feedback you’re given and if being a writer is what you really want, then you’ll make it happen.  There are bound to be disappointments along the way – there certainly were for me.  I have had books rejected and projects I had high hopes for, fall over.  There were times that I felt I’d never have anything published again but it’s really a case of dusting yourself off and thinking about how you’re going to approach things differently.  Alice-Miranda and Clementine Rose have completely changed my life and I am so grateful for every little bit of success.

Do you wish Alice Miranda was real? I do!!! I wish she was my BEST FRIEND! Everyone probably wishes that! She is so kind to EVERYONE even when they aren’t kind to her.  I feel like Alice-Miranda is real!  It’s as if this tiny gorgeous girl stands over my shoulder and tells me what to write.  Alice-Miranda is a mixture of the best attributes of so many gorgeous girls I’ve known over my years of teaching, so in some ways I suppose she is real.

RHA_AliceMirandaatthePalace_9780857982728_desktop_wallpaper

Have you written a book you love that you have not been able to get published?  No, I haven’t got anything finished and lurking about in the bottom drawer that I haven’t been able to get published.  That said, I have a couple of books I’ve started and that I hope to get back to one of these days, as I really love the stories (and hope that they will be published).

Do you ever get frustrated or have mental blanks when you are writing?  Some days it’s easier than others and yes, frustration can set in if you can’t see your way through a problem.  I tend to talk to my husband a lot about the plots and characters and my publisher too, so usually in doing that I can shake out the knots!  Housework or going for a walk to clear my head can be really helpful too.

If you could invite five authors, living or dead, to your place for a dinner party, who would they be?  Let’s see, there are so many amazing authors this is a really hard question (sorry I think I’m going to have a bigger dinner party of ten!)  I think I’d have to include some who intrigue me and some who are my friends (then at least the conversation would flow no matter what!).  I’d love to meet Charles Dickens, Hesba Brinsmead, an Australian author who wrote some books I loved in my tweens, Colin Thiele, another iconic Australian author whose prose brought books alive, Enid Blyton and Roald Dahl, who have both influenced me greatly, Harper Lee, as I want to ask her why she only published one book and find out the real story behind the new book which is about to come out, Markus Zusak, because he’s a star and so sweet and helped me solve a tangle I was having with Alice-Miranda – he probably doesn’t even remember the wise words he said to me at school one day which changed my life, Kate Morton, because she’s lovely and writes some of my favourite books, Belinda Murrell, a gorgeous talented author and friend and Andy Griffiths, another super talented human being and all round good guy! 

Winter or summer all year round.  Which would you choose?  Winter – but not too cold and with plenty of crisp, clear days.  I love being able to rug up and wear boots and coats.

Matterhorn Glacier Paradise

Which five books would you take to a desert island you knew you were never going to leave?  Wow – another very hard question.  The Complete Works of Charles Dickens, The Complete Works of Roald Dahl, Heidi by Johanna Spyri, Black Beauty by Anna Sewell (those two books I adored as a child) and The Complete Works of Alice-Miranda and Clementine Rose so I could re-read and create new stories all the time. (and a sneaky sixth – To Kill A Mockingbird – which was a hugely formative book for me).

 

 

Categories: Alice-Miranda, Clementine Rose, Jacqueline Harvey

Comments

  1. Morgan says

    February 23, 2015 at 9:36 pm

    Dear Jacqueline,
    Wow what hard questions! The question about which five authors you would like to meet, I would totally choose those authors and I would (if I could) also choose J.K Rowling and you of course!
    I can’t wait to get Alice Miranda at the Palace it is coming in the mail for me. It looks so interesting and I can’t wait to see what Alice Miranda is going to do next!

    From your favourite, best and #1 fan in the world!-
    MORGAN 🙂

    Reply
  2. Rachael says

    February 24, 2015 at 9:59 pm

    Hi Jacqueline,
    Just read Alice-Miranda at the palace. A great book! Cannot wait for number 12!
    Thanks for all the great books,
    Rachael

    Reply
    • Jacqueline Harvey says

      February 26, 2015 at 11:49 am

      I’m so glad you liked it Rachael. I’m in the throes of writing Alice-Miranda in the Alps now!

      Best wishes,
      Jacqueline

      Reply
  3. Bella says

    February 28, 2015 at 2:31 pm

    Hello Jacqueline H!
    Well I was reading Clementine-Rose and I saw at the front of the book Target Audience: Primary School..
    Well umm I am in Year 6 at the moment and next year I am in High School and because I love the Clementine-Rose books so much, am i able to still read it? will people embarrass me? well I that’s my problem to solve.. And i got another question, How Do You Make The Books Sooo Good?
    Thanks, From Bella 🙂 <3

    Reply
    • Jacqueline Harvey says

      March 4, 2015 at 7:05 pm

      Hi Bella,
      I’ll let you in on a secret – I have fans that write to me that are 15 and still love to read both series of books. So you can safely keep reading for a few more years.
      Creative writing is about using your imagination. I can spend hours thinking of the plots for the books. Mostly I just let Alice-Miranda tell me where to take the action – sometimes I feel she’s standing right behind describing what will happen next.
      Best wishes,
      Jacqueline.

      Reply
  4. Ivana says

    March 4, 2015 at 4:34 pm

    Hi Jacqueline,
    The 5 authors I would have picked are you, Angelica Banks, Roald Dahl, Pamela Allen and Lauren Child. Though out of all of them you are my absolute favourite.

    Your #1 fan,
    Ivana

    Reply
    • Jacqueline Harvey says

      March 4, 2015 at 7:00 pm

      Oh, that’s a very impressive list of authors. Thank you so much for thinking of me to join that list.

      Best wishes,
      Jacqueline.

      Reply
  5. Evangelina says

    March 24, 2015 at 6:18 pm

    Hi Mrs Harvey,

    I am a bit confused, is Alice-Miranda a real person, and if she is, are the adventures that she had real?

    Evangelina

    Reply
    • Jacqueline Harvey says

      March 24, 2015 at 6:30 pm

      Hi Angelina,

      Alice-Miranda is a character but she seems very real to me and to lots of her readers. A number of her adventures have been inspired by my real life travels. At the moment I’m writing Alice-Miranda in the Alps which will be the 12th book and I spent some time in Switzerland at the locations Alice-Miranda is visiting too. I love travelling and I’ve been to quite a few of the places that Alice-Miranda goes to (although my adventures are nowhere near as glamorous as hers are!).

      Hope this clears it up for you.

      Best wishes,
      Jacqueline

      Reply
      • Evangelina says

        March 25, 2015 at 9:24 am

        Thank you so much it really helped me, by the way I have all the Alice-Miranda series from 1-12 and both the diarys

        Love Evangelina

        Reply
  6. Eleanora says

    March 28, 2015 at 3:18 pm

    are you going to write another book?!
    thank you
    ps I love your books
    Nora

    Reply
    • Jacqueline Harvey says

      March 29, 2015 at 9:18 am

      Hi Nora,

      Yes, I’m over halfway writing Alice-Miranda in the Alps and I’m at the editing stage of Clementine Rose and the Birthday Emergency. More books to come after that for both series. I’m so pleased that you enjoy them.

      Best wishes,
      Jacqueline

      Reply
  7. Charlotte says

    July 14, 2015 at 5:23 pm

    I love Alice Miranda
    I wish she was real…….
    I hope that you got my other emails on the contact
    And can you please message me I would love you toooo…….
    Love from Charlotte ,…..

    Reply
    • Jacqueline Harvey says

      July 14, 2015 at 5:29 pm

      Hi Charlotte,

      It makes me so happy to hear that you love the stories and Alice-Miranda. I love her too! I’ve just finished writing Alice-Miranda in the Alps which comes out on the 1st September and I’m well into another book called Alice-Miranda to the Rescue which is shaping up to be another fun mystery.

      I don’t plan to stop writing these books anytime soon.

      Best wishes,
      Jacqueline x

      Reply
      • Charlotte says

        July 14, 2015 at 7:27 pm

        Thank you so much for replying
        I absulootly love you
        You are my number one fan
        Can you please do one thing for
        Me and give me your email address
        So I can message you.
        I am sooooo
        Glad that you are writing two new
        Awesome books
        Love from Charlotte

        Reply
  8. Charlotte says

    July 14, 2015 at 5:25 pm

    Can you please write more and more Alice Miranda books because they are the only book I absulootly love reading!!!!

    Reply
  9. Charlotte says

    July 15, 2015 at 5:40 pm

    Hi Jacqueline
    I am in the middle of reading Alice Miranda
    At camp and I was wondering how you came
    Up with Alice Miranda because
    The books are the best!!!!!!!!
    And where did you get the idea of clementine rose
    Because she is really sweet and cute

    Xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoox
    Charlotte
    Xoxo

    Reply
  10. Amelia says

    February 29, 2016 at 10:23 am

    Hi, Jacqueline !

    I ADORE your books! They are sooooo amazing ! I have just finished reading your new Alice-Miranda ! (To The Rescue) I am looking out for the new Clementine Roses. PLEASE!!!! Write some more Alice-Mirande books. I am looking forward for the second they come out !!!

    AMELIA

    Reply
    • Jacqueline Harvey says

      February 29, 2016 at 10:50 am

      Hi Amelia,

      Alice-Miranda in China will be out in September then I will write another one for February next year. Clementine Rose and the Paris Puzzle will be out in July. Thanks for your kind words.

      Best wishes,
      Jacqueline

      Reply
      • Jacqueline Liu says

        May 11, 2016 at 8:12 pm

        Dear Jacqueline Harvey,

        As my background is Chinese I am so so SO excited for Alice Miranda in China to come out. All your mystery novels are amazing!

        Reply
        • Jacqueline Harvey says

          May 19, 2016 at 2:23 pm

          Hi Jacqueline,

          I hope you enjoy the story and that my writing does justice to the incredible culture, history and people of China, with just enough mystery thrown in!

          Best wishes

          Jacqueline

          Reply
  11. Amelia says

    February 29, 2016 at 10:32 am

    Hi Jacqueline

    How Tall Are You ???? I am doing an assignment that is DUE TOMORROW PPLLEESSEE can you help me QUICK!

    Also Tell me when your Birhtday is and how old you are . ( the internet does not answer any of these questions)

    Reply
    • Jacqueline Harvey says

      February 29, 2016 at 10:38 am

      Hi Amelia,

      I’m 177.5 cm tall and my birthday is the 13th March. I was born the year after Enid Blyton died (she was one of my favourite authors when I was a child). All the best with your project.

      Best wishes,
      Jacqueline

      Reply
      • Amelia says

        April 7, 2016 at 3:12 pm

        thank you, i am looking forward to when those books come out!!!

        Reply
  12. Gabrielle says

    March 24, 2016 at 4:02 pm

    DEAR JACQUELINE HARVEY
    You came to my primary school last year and gave us a talk and it inspird me to write so i was woundering
    1. how this makes you feel
    2. if you have any advice on writing books for me

    THANK YOU SO MUCH

    Reply
    • Jacqueline Harvey says

      March 26, 2016 at 10:56 am

      Hi Gabrielle,

      I am so thrilled that my visit inspired you to write. It makes me very happy. If you want some writing tips go onto my website and look under the teacher tab and there are writing tips. I hope you get to do lots of writing over Easter and the school holidays.

      Best wishes,
      Jacqueline

      Reply
  13. Jacqueline Liu says

    May 11, 2016 at 8:08 pm

    Hi Jacqueline,

    You are my favourite author and its a coincidence that my name is Jacqueline too! I absolute LOVE all of your books and I’ve bought Alice-Miranda in the Alps! It is fantastic. I also live in Sydney, Australia and if I meet you one day, it was be an absolute pleasure. I also really enjoyed Alice-Miranda in Japan. Because of your wonderful books, I’ve been inspired to write and have written two novels, waiting to get published one day!

    Sincerely,
    Your no. 1 fan, Jacqueline Liu

    Reply
    • Jacqueline Harvey says

      May 19, 2016 at 2:20 pm

      Hi Jacqueline

      Thank you for your kind words; it’s flattering , as a writer, that the children who inspire me to write, enjoy reading the stories as much as I enjoy writing them. I’m honoured that my writing has inspired you to write too!

      Best wishes

      Jacqueline

      Reply
      • Riaan says

        August 8, 2018 at 12:27 pm

        jacqueline where did you live when you were young and have you moved.

        Reply
        • Jacqueline Harvey says

          August 9, 2018 at 3:04 pm

          Hi Riaan,

          I lived in Fairfield when I was very little then we moved to Ingleburn then to Camden then to Wilton then I moved to Bowral and Wollongong and Byron Bay and now I live on the north shore of Sydney (and I’ve been here for about 17 years!).

          Best wishes,
          Jacqueline

          Reply
  14. Elaine says

    June 4, 2016 at 2:58 pm

    Hi Jacqueline,

    I’m doing a school project on you and I was just wondering if there is anything, like, REALLY interesting about you?

    Elaine

    Reply
    • Jacqueline Harvey says

      June 5, 2016 at 10:25 am

      Hi Elaine,

      I’m not sure what you mean by REALLY interesting. I’ve travelled to some pretty amazing places and I’ve met lots of fascinating people. I scored an eagle on the second hole of the Old Course at St Andrew’s in Scotland (which if you know anything about golf is a pretty big deal), I’ve seen giant eagles in the outback in Western Australia (they looked like pterodactyls they were that big!), but I’m not sure what you want. Maybe you could be a little bit more specific.

      Best wishes,
      Jacqueline

      Reply
      • Elaine says

        June 27, 2016 at 7:39 pm

        Hi Jacqueline,

        Thanks SO MUCH!!! It helped a lot with my project.

        Elaine

        Reply
        • Jacqueline Harvey says

          June 29, 2016 at 5:38 pm

          That’s great!

          Best wishes,
          Jacqueline

          Reply
  15. amy says

    August 31, 2016 at 6:53 pm

    i love your books and i love writing i have had my writing published in the school news paper about thirty times although i d like to do more creative writing any tips?

    1# fan amy

    Reply
    • Jacqueline Harvey says

      September 8, 2016 at 1:09 pm

      Hi Amy,

      Thank you for your kind words! How wonderful that you are enjoying your writing so much. There are some writing tips on the website and I often give tips in the Newsletters. If you have not already subscribed, there are always lots of fun games, facts and Competitions with great prizes.

      My top tips would be to continue to enjoy your writing and know and love your characters.

      Best wishes

      Jacqueline

      Reply
  16. amy says

    August 31, 2016 at 6:55 pm

    oh i am doing a school project aka a biography any facts due tomorrow

    1# fan amy

    Reply
    • Jacqueline Harvey says

      September 8, 2016 at 1:05 pm

      Hi Amy,

      I’m sorry, I have been away touring; and cannot respond to blog posts immediately. Hope that your biography went well!

      Best wishes,

      Jacqueline

      Reply
  17. Amelia says

    September 6, 2016 at 4:47 pm

    Hi Jacqueline!
    I REALLLYYYYYYY
    enjoy your books
    I have recently finished reading A-M in China and it was AAMMAAZZIINNGG!!!!!
    I can’t wait for your next book!!!!!!!
    P.S. I LOVE ENID BLYTON TOO!!!!!!!! 🙂
    P.P.S. I LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    Amelia

    Reply
    • Jacqueline Harvey says

      September 15, 2016 at 1:44 pm

      Hi Amelia,

      You are too kind!

      So glad that you enjoyed Alice-Miranda in China.

      Best wishes,

      Jacqueline

      Reply
      • Annabelle says

        January 23, 2017 at 1:23 pm

        Hi Jacqueline I loved reading Alice Miranda in new York and now i’m reading alice miranda at sea!!!! From Annabelle

        Reply
        • Jacqueline Harvey says

          February 6, 2017 at 9:10 am

          Thanks Annabelle – hope you keep enjoying them.

          Best wishes,
          Jacqueline

          Reply
  18. Madi says

    February 26, 2018 at 8:14 pm

    Hey Jacqueline!
    I am in LOVE with your books! You are the best author EVER, I especially love Alice-Miranda, I read all of them apart from A-M in Scottland and New York. I wish Alice-Miranda was my best friend! Your my idol and you inspire me by a mile! I can’t WAIT until I read the rest of Alice-Miranda!

    Madi

    P.S I have read 2 Clementine Rose books and I love them too!

    Reply
    • Jacqueline Harvey says

      March 8, 2018 at 11:13 am

      Hi Madi,

      Thank you so much for your kind words and passion for the stories. It is humbling, as a writer, that you have taken the time to write to share your passion.

      Thank you!

      Best wishes,

      Jacqueline

      Reply
  19. Madi says

    February 26, 2018 at 8:16 pm

    Oh and Jacqueline, please come to our school, although you probably can’t.

    Reply
    • Jacqueline Harvey says

      March 8, 2018 at 11:17 am

      Hi Madi,

      One of the things that I love most about my job as a full time writer, is the opportunities that I have to get out to visit Schools (did you know that I am a former School teacher/). Please ask your teacher/Librarian to make contact via my website https://jacquelineharvey.com.au/teachers/. I can’t make any promises as writing and touring will keep me busy over the next few months- but, let’s see what we can do.

      Best wishes,

      Jacqueline

      Reply
  20. Jacqueline ;) says

    May 2, 2018 at 6:37 pm

    Dear Jacqueline.
    I would like to share some facts:
    1. As you know that Jacqueline is a French name
    2. My dad was born in Fairfield Sydney as well
    3.My name is Jacqueline too

    P.S : These are comments for your blog – About the author – Jacqueline Harvey

    From your favourite story reader –
    Jacqueline Tran 😉

    Reply
    • Jacqueline Harvey says

      May 12, 2018 at 3:30 pm

      Thanks Jacqueline! It’s a lovely name you have. Fancy your dad was born in the same place as me.

      Thanks for being a big fan.

      Best wishes,
      Jacqueline

      Reply
  21. Naomi says

    September 6, 2018 at 8:55 pm

    hi Jacqueline,
    I have a question for you
    what are 3 strong reasons that you deserve a award.

    Reply
    • Jacqueline Harvey says

      September 9, 2018 at 10:57 am

      Hi Naomi,

      I don’t know that I think I deserve an award at all. Sometimes awards come along and I am flattered if I do get shortlisted or win but it’s certainly not something I count on.
      If I had to give you three reasons perhaps I should win an award for hard work, creativity and trying to do my best (but that said, there are lots of people who do the same!).

      Best wishes,
      Jacqueline

      Reply
  22. Mila says

    July 11, 2019 at 4:46 pm

    Wow Jacqueline!
    You answered those questions so confidentaly and honestly.
    I love your books. Keep writing more great novels for your already awesome series.

    Reply
    • Jacqueline Harvey says

      December 4, 2019 at 10:16 am

      Thanks Mila – I appreciate that 🙂

      Reply
  23. Jessica Gilbert says

    August 22, 2019 at 10:45 am

    Hi Jacqueline!!
    I am Jess and my Mum subscribed to this website. You signed one of my books once and I have read all of the Alice Miranda series. I am doing a Biography on you and would like to know some instresting facts about your life. I am very excited to be writing about you because you are so insparational and knid. Your books are very intresting and I hope you could make them into a show or a movie series.

    Love Jess

    Reply
    • Jacqueline Harvey says

      September 13, 2019 at 7:07 pm

      Hi Jess,

      My apologies that it has taken me a while to reply to your post. If you have a look at the About the Author section of the website you can find some interesting things there – and you can probably get some good facts from the newsletters too. You might be excited to know that just today I have written all about the Alice-Miranda movie which is out in cinemas in November! If you have some questions for me that you can’t find the answers to – emailing me is best jacqueline@jacquleineharvey.com.au

      Best wishes,
      Jacqueline

      Reply
  24. Twinkle says

    April 21, 2020 at 9:25 pm

    Hi Jacqueline

    I’m thinking of becoming an author when I’m older.
    I just ahve one problem
    I’m scared of the publishers.
    What do I do
    Sincerely Twinkle
    P.S. I love Enid Blyton and Johanna Spry too
    I love Heideis free sprit and Enid Blyton way with words

    Reply
    • Jacqueline Harvey says

      July 2, 2020 at 12:25 pm

      Hi Twinkle,

      That’s great you’re thinking about being a writer when you grow up. Publishers are lovely people – no need to be scared of them though that said, I think when I was starting out I was definitely in awe of them. They make the decisions about what gets published so they are influential that’s for sure. When you submit work to a publisher you need to do some research about them and find out what they publish and what they’re looking for.

      Best wishes,
      Jacqueline

      Reply

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