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Q. When did you first realise you wanted to be a writer? A A. I used to make up songs on my guitar as a teenager, and used to write stories with my students when I was a primary teacher. However, at about 27 years of age, and whilst attending a drama class, I had to perform a piece about a gorilla. So I penned my first poem, ‘Lulu the Gorgeous Gorilla’’ and, from there on, was hooked on writing children’s stories, funny verses, and other writing styles. But it was from about 1989 that I realised I wanted to be a writer.
Q Q. Where do you get your information or ideas for your books? A A. Everywhere and anywhere – watching people, children and our animals do funny things; seeing something funny on TV; reading captions in newspapers or magazines; things people say or do; or funny pictures or thoughts that pop into my head. Just about anything can give me inspiration so I have notebooks everywhere to jot down ideas. Even have a notebook beside the bed, and in the toilet.
QQ. What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books? A A. A book that may not appeal to a publisher or distributor but can have great appeal to a target market (in my case: children, parents, teachers and librarians), and thus produce great sales.
Q Q. How many books have you written? Which is your favourite? A A. I have written a few stories and well over a hundred poems, but I have had three books published to date. I self published the first two: ‘Ten Yellow Bananas’ and ‘Santa is in our Chimney’ (2006) to prove a market for my work. ‘Bubble Gum Trouble and other Giggle Poems’ was released in 2009 by Little Steps Publishing, Division of New Frontier. A new version of ‘Ten Yellow Bananas’ is due out 2009/2010 published by Little Steps. I am very proud of ‘Bubble Gum Trouble’’ but I do have a soft spot for ‘Ten Yellow Bananas’ as it is a little quirky. So hopefully children will embrace the changes.
Q Q. As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up? A A. I have always loved art and crafts, music, writing songs and drama but could never quite work out just one thing I wanted to be. I wanted to be anything from a spy to an actress,
Q Q. Can you tell us about your current release? A. ‘Bubble Gum Trouble’ is a collection of nearly thirty humorous poems for kids, generally about ordinary things put in a comical setting. It is doing very well in primary schools and libraries, and is a fun book to introduce children to the wonders of poetry.
Q Q. Your titles are very catchy, children would adore them. Do you decide your titles? A A. I did for the first two. My latest release ’Bubble Gum Trouble and other giggle poems’ is taken from the title of one of the poems in the book. I named all the poems but when searching for a suitable title for the book, Dee Texidor, the illustrator, thought’ ‘Bubble Gum Trouble’ would be ideal. And the publishers agreed. I just added ‘and other giggle poems’. Teachers and children love the titles.
Q Q. How many novels have you written? A A. None, at this point in time.
Q Q. What are you working on at the moment? A A. Just finished reworking ‘Ten Yellow Bananas’ so that is now ready for print. Have just finished two more stories, mentored under Dr Virginia Lowe, so will send off to publishers in the not too distant future. Also working on another compilation of giggle poems for children plus another couple of story ideas.
Q Q. What advice would you like to give aspiring writers who are targeting the children’s market? A A. Work on your craft. Go to workshops. Don’t let others influence you especially when you hear how hard it is to break into the children’s market - just keep writing. Look at the alternatives to traditional publishing houses but don’t get desperate. Try writing for children’s magazines. Look carefully at the submission conditions of publishers. Invest in a copy of ‘The Australian Writer’s Marketplace’ published by Queensland Writers Centre. Just don’t give up. Write because you love to write, and not just to be published. .And, you cannot please everybody so don’t try as you will go insane (Been there)
Q. Do you spend a lot of time on marketing your books? A. Yes. It is very time consuming but rewarding. Because I virtually did everything myself, promotion and marketing wise, when I self published in 2006, I don’t think I can ever completely let go of the reins. I think it is important to work with a publisher and a distributor to get your book out there. I am constantly thinking of other ways of marketing my books and myself.
Q Q. What do your family think of your stories? A. A. They are very supportive and happy that I am doing something I love.
Q Q. Where can readers reach you and keep up with your stories? A. Websites: http://www.misshelenbooks.com http://www.helenross-author.com Blog: http://misshelenwrites.wordpress.com http://misshelenspoetrycorner.wordpress.com (for children to post their poems) Email: helen@helenross.com.au
AA. Thank you Helen for such a very delightful interview, I wish you all the best with your future projects.
Interviewed by Suzanne Brandyn September 2009
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