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.
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.
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.
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).
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 🙂
Hi Jacqueline,
Just read Alice-Miranda at the palace. A great book! Cannot wait for number 12!
Thanks for all the great books,
Rachael
I’m so glad you liked it Rachael. I’m in the throes of writing Alice-Miranda in the Alps now!
Best wishes,
Jacqueline
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
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.
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
Oh, that’s a very impressive list of authors. Thank you so much for thinking of me to join that list.
Best wishes,
Jacqueline.
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
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
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
are you going to write another book?!
thank you
ps I love your books
Nora
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
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 ,…..
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
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
Can you please write more and more Alice Miranda books because they are the only book I absulootly love reading!!!!
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
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
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
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!
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
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)
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
thank you, i am looking forward to when those books come out!!!
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
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
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
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
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
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
Hi Jacqueline,
Thanks SO MUCH!!! It helped a lot with my project.
Elaine
That’s great!
Best wishes,
Jacqueline
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
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
oh i am doing a school project aka a biography any facts due tomorrow
1# fan amy
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
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
Hi Amelia,
You are too kind!
So glad that you enjoyed Alice-Miranda in China.
Best wishes,
Jacqueline
Hi Jacqueline I loved reading Alice Miranda in new York and now i’m reading alice miranda at sea!!!! From Annabelle
Thanks Annabelle – hope you keep enjoying them.
Best wishes,
Jacqueline
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!
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
Oh and Jacqueline, please come to our school, although you probably can’t.
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 http://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