Literacy for a Lifetime

On the weekend I was flicking through old photo albums. What a heart-warming experience, to relive those tender baby/toddler years, nurturing little boys and shaping habits to last a lifetime.

This photo was always a favourite – but with time and distance it is now sentimentally significant for a wealth of reasons.

I love the memories this photo sparks of those two small boys and their delightfully different little personalities.

You no doubt look at the picture and see three ‘boys’ enthralled by the story. But I have to chuckle, because I know that looks can be very deceptive. And I remember…

That chubby toddler engrossed in the book was our Mr Serious. As a tiny baby, he would sit propped (sometimes slumped) under Dad’s arm reading the paper while I rattled around in the kitchen. Before he could walk, he could flip conscientiously through magazines without scrunching or tearing a page. As a youngster, if anyone offered to read, Mr Serious was enthralled from start to finish and always begging for more… and more… and more.

That baby, comfortably sprawled against Dad… he was our Pocket Rocket. A bounce, bounce, bounce bub. A run and giggle squeal, catch me if you can bub. And though he looks like he’s settled in for story time, there is the deception. No story was short enough to keep that wriggle pot in place from start to finish. For the Pocket Rock, story time was special – for the briefest of moments. Cuddle and run. As parents, we were king and queen of abbreviation – cut to the chase to keep that rascal engaged.

You couldn’t find two little boys more different. For Mr Serious, the passion was there from the start. The habit of reading as natural as breathing. For the Pocket Rocket, it was just one in a busy round of things to do. And since it didn’t require much energy – it didn’t require much time.

But we figured it was worth the extra effort to engage our Pocket Rocket.

I can still remember the elation when we finally read a little board book from start to finish in one session. Celebration!

Now, when he reads, he is absorbed in a story from cover to cover – and for a Pocket Rocket, that can be a long time of inactivity!

That daddy wrapped around down close and cosy, intimately involved in the story… he is The Catastrophic Cattleman, a rip, tear, bust, Aussie man-on-the-land.

He does not share my passion for literacy – my love of literature. He does not have my teaching background. Though he supports (in as much as he tolerates and tries to understand) my writing pursuits, he is not a writer. Yet he has shared many moments like these with his sons, fostering a close relationship with both boys, and helping to instill the habit of reading that enables them in so many aspects of their schooling today – of their life.

The grazier who reads mostly webpages, manuals, share reports, and magazines about those fabulous flying machines… rarely reads a book. Yet he knows the importance of reading – and recognises the value in reading with our children. In taking quiet moments from his hectic day to read with our boys, he has shown them that he values reading – that he values them!

This pic is a snapshot of two gorgeous boys at about the age when I realised I had to write their Aussie farm stories… And I, who had never really thought about being a writer, took my first tentative steps to publication.

But more importantly, though our boys were both mere babes at this time, the shared reading experience snapped here has created a habit that is still in evidence today and will, I suspect, last a lifetime.

Such a short moment in time, but this picture speaks a thousand words about our family.

 

Techno Trials – Part Two

This techno trial really was a trial!

As with most internet activities, when you surf the Google Wave you have the option of a personalised avatar. I designed a little ‘katswhiskers’ for the occasion, and it looked so groovy in the wave, that I decided to tackle the task of making it part of my email signature…

Easy – right?

No way! For one such as myself, who is not particularly technical outside of what I already know, this was a four-hour, two-stage process. Hmmm… 4hrs to create a simple signature is perhaps not a good thing to admit in this day and age, but I like to think it reflects tenacity, perseverance and determination – all vital traits within the publishing industry!

My biggest difficulty was finding a set of instructions that produced a result. I found many and varied instructions, but always (always, always!) I was left with the code in my signature – and no graphic!

Until I stumbled on http://email.about.com/– and suddenly (like 4 minutes suddenly – really super fast!) my signature was up and working.

That’s when I got a little carried away and decided to include the pic of my book covers too…

Amazing!

You like?

You want one too?

Knowing how long it took me to find instructions that worked (beautifully simple instructions that worked) I have included the link (with my recommendations) here, for others who may also be interested in a graphic in their signature.

How to Insert a Graphic into an Outlook Express Email Signature

What you need:
* Suitable image
* Outlook Express
* Notepad program
* Heinz Tschabitscher’s Instructions
* Creativity!

What You Do:
1. Click on this link.
2. Follow the instructions.

Too easy! Have fun with it.

 

Techno Trials – Part One

This is my week for new technology, it would seem.

On Saturday I was invited to join a Google Wave picture book critique group.

Google Wave? I’d never heard of it! But the idea of a critique group devoted to PBs was one I couldn’t pass up – so I waded in.

Sunday night was just for fun, splashing around in the wave zone… learning the new technology. That was a bit confronting at first, because everything appears letter by letter as you type it. So if you dither around (as I do – type delete type delete…) while you’re cogitating – it’s fiddle-fingers for all to see. No spellchecker to save you, either.

Monday night was down to the serious stuff. There were three of us in the group, and we were working on Karen Collum’s manuscript, ‘Slow Down, Stanley’. Poor Stanley – telling him to slow down when Karen, Susan Stephenson and I were giving him a real wriggle-on to publication!

We’d loosely allowed 1 – 1½ hrs to critique Karen’s story, but this stretched to two helter-skelter hours. There was lots of deliberation and discussion – a plethora of great ideas sprouting forward. The most difficult thing was keeping track of the changes to the text – and getting continuity of reading with the changes. But we were all very patient (ha! – as scatty as) and soon, Stanley’s story was sparkling.

Our beach scene.

Just like any real life splash in the waves, I would have to say that riding the Google Wave with Karen and Susan (and Stanley) was an exhilarating experience!

 

Celebrating The Great Aussie Read!

Wow – two posts in twelve hours… A-mazing!

None-the-less…. It is with great pleasure that I write this short post of celebration and thanks to all those who have written or spoken out in support of the Australian Publishing Industry. Today the Federal Government’s decision was announced. Australian Parallel Importation Restrictions on books will remain.

You can read more here: http://www.booksellerandpublisher.com.au/articles/2009/11/13924/
and here: http://savingaussiebooks.wordpress.com

In the words of Australian Greens Deputy Leader, Senator Christine Milne:

It is through our writers that Australia gives voice to our identity. It was madness for the Government to ever consider a policy that would have silenced that voice.

Long may we celebrate – and appreciate – the great Aussie Read.

PS Great Christmas Gift Idea: Give an Aussie book bought from an Aussie bookshop.

 

Ebb and Flow – How do you write?

How do you write?

I used to feel inadequate when I heard writers say they set aside a certain number of hours each (and every) day for solid writing. When many of those same writers then questioned the dedication of others who didn’t adhere to this rigid discipline… I for one would cringe.

Because I don’t think all writers follow that set rule – and I certainly don’t. It’s not that I’m not committed. And it’s not that I don’t love my writing. It’s just that I don’t work that way.

For myself, I find the ‘real’ writing comes in waves. Sometimes my head is a swirling pool of ideas and I write and write and write – or drive everyone crazy!

Other times, I (gasp!) write nothing. I may not have the time or headspace to write. I may be caught up in other aspects of my life, like work and family. I might be trapped in the ‘business’ of writing. Sometimes I just (gulp) don’t have the ideas.

But then there are those wonderful times when the writing flows out of my fingers like a river in flood and I know that I still am a writer.

For me, writing in bursts is a case of quality verse quantity. I am at my best when my life is busiest. I find I am focused and productive. I make every moment count – every word count. Then, with my head cleared of thoughts, I have time, space and energy to devote to other important areas of my life.

And funnily enough, those ‘other areas’ are often my greatest sources of inspiration. So though I’m not writing, I’m doing research. Being inspired… Drifting with the flow… Subconsciously churning plots and plans ready to ride the next wave of creativity.

Now, I don’t force it – except when I slip up. And I don’t fight it. I’d go crazy! I know my best writing happens when I relax and enjoy the ebb-and-flow of writing.

 

Kathryn in Katherine – School of the Air

Tourists observing the IDL session.

During our travels we took a tour of the ‘world’s largest classroom’ – at Katherine School of the Air. One thing led to another, and on our return trip, I was booked for two sessions in the Interactive Distant Learning (IDL) room at KSA. Yay!

Now – I teach… and I blog… and I’ve partipated in online chats with class groups… and talked on telephones. I’ve even controlled video cameras (though not with a remote – and usually just one at a time) But I have never tried to roll all those actions into one 45-minute session – and make sense all at the same time!!

Librarian Ruth did the tricky stuff!

But that’s what I was working with in the IDL studio at KSA. And thankfully, I wasn’t doing it single-handedly. For my session I was ably assisted (I talked and she did/oversaw everything else) by KSA Librarian Ruth O’Connell. Without Ruth, I’d have been scrambled eggs. (May I just point out that KSA teachers do this juggle on a regular basis – and do it very well. I am in awe of them.)

The IDL studio is set up for interactive learning, which is a bit of a combination between a video conference (one way) a chat room and traditional radio-telephone communication.

A glimpse of the technology at work.

The teacher is videoed and broadcast live-to-air – with the choice of three different camera angles – and zoom too. Children interact by typing their questions/comments in a chat style format, which shows up on the bottom of the everyone’s computer screen – teacher’s included. The teacher can also open the lines for two students at a time to call through with a comment or question, which can then be heard by both teacher and students.

The sessions were a lot of fun – and it was a wonderful way to experience this completely different learning environment. But I wished we had longer. There was so many questions I didn’t get to answer – and I’d have loved to chat more with these children, scattered across the Northern Territory in their various isolated situations.

I would have loved to hear their stories!

 

The art of words

A word of art.

Letters to Leonardo
by Dee White
Walker Books Australia
Reviewed by Kathryn Apel

Matt Hudson has a task – to write letters to a historical character. Letters that fulfil a class assignment. Letters that help the character see how life has changed from then to now.

But some things don’t change – and Matt discovers that he and Leonardo have a lot in common.

Dear Leonardo,
How did you feel when you met your mother again?

Through letters to Leonardo da Vinci, Matt explores the changing face of his own life. A life shaken to the core with a card from his dead mother on his 15th birthday.

Dear Leonardo,
Truth is important in art, don’t you think?
Truth is important full stop.

Letters to Leonardo is Dee White’s first YA novel. A crafted work of art.

Link to the Book Trailer.

 

I had to write this

A powerful read for Young Adults+

They told me I had to write this
By Kim Miller
Ford Street Publishing
Reviewed by Kathryn Apel

No one told me I had to write this – except deep down inside myself. Because it’s not often you find a book that grabs your heart, wrings it out – then refreshes it with hope.

And all this through a bunch of colloquial letters.

Kim Miller has a heart for troubled teens and this is clearly evident in They told me I had to write this. He speaks the language (which I didn’t always ‘get’ straight away!) and tells some awful truths – but he gets you inside the head of a wild child – and once you’re in Clem’s head, he soon digs into your heart. I had not expected to find Clem so lovable. Oh, he was very real. And far from perfect. But he was lovable!

The ending was totally unexpected – and so quick! I usually like more warning of an ending – with ‘this’ suddenly I was on the last page and thinking, “No! It’s not going to finish properly.” Yet it did. Real sentiment – no sop or cliché. Just a perfect resolution of all that had been building – and I’d missed all the clues! (It was so simple that I actually feel a bit stupid admitting that I’d missed it!)

They told me I had to write this is an incredible story that will have repercussions wherever it is read. I just hope it’s read widely!

Link to Clem’s Webpage.

 

CYA Later – Darwin to Brisbane… and Back!

Kat @ CYA

One of the holiday highlights for me was without a doubt the CYA Conference, held in Brisbane in conjunction with the Brisbane Writers Festival.

Problem being… while normally I’m 6 hrs up the road – this year I was halfway across the country!

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But some opportunities can’t be missed. So, after driving 4000km (and almost as many days) to reach Darwin, within 12 hours of our arrival I was in a plane (at 1am – yee-uch!) and winging my way back to Qld. (How c-razy is that?!)

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The CYA Competition gave ‘This is the Mud!’ a jumpstart to publication when it won the inaugural Preschool Picture Book Manuscript category in 2006. In 2009 – the year of it’s release – I was invited back for a muddy celebration at the CYA.

A hundred children’s writers, illustrators and publishers in one place at one time. What fun! Putting faces to names – and wicked personalities! Meeting authors who’ve impacted on my journey… Talk, talk, talk, talk, talking… And attending workshops too, of course.

How could I resist?

With Kim Miller, Dee White and Sheryl Gwyther... Let the celebrations begin!

For me, the unforgettable highlight was the session I shared with Dee White (‘Letters to Leonardo’) and Kim Miller (‘They told me I had to write this’), when we got to celebrate the launch of our CYA success stories.

For a while I felt like the rose between the thorns (I like that!) sharing the celebration with two YA novels – with two ‘letters’ books at that. (And muddy me, squished in the middle.) But don’t let that analogy scare you off Kim and Dee’s writing. Yes they address some prickly issues – but in their own unique styles, they both do it so well. (More on that in another blog.)

A slideshow of rolling images tell their own story... as Kat reads to the kids-at-heart.

The CYA would have been brilliant for the workshop alone. But it offers so much more to Australian children’s writers and illustrators! There’s that fantastic competition that offers feedback to every writer. And networking with a range of prominent industry professionals. Friendships… Inspiration… Great food!

Tina and Ally - time for a chat at last.

And this year, there was that not-to-be-missed opportunity to extend the celebrations and fling some more mud around. But more importantly, to acknowledge the mammoth amount of work that Tina Clark and Ally Howard – with their team of volunteers – pour into the CYA each year. I for one am extremely grateful!

You thought I was tall before? I tell you, I was HIGH that day!

 

Kat is Back!

Welcome Back!

Oops. Sorry – it’s me who’s been away. Hmmm… Well, I’m glad to be back… and blogging… and you’re certainly welcome back to my blog!

For those who may have missed it, I’ve been on holidays. Or perhaps it’s more accurate to say, I’ve been doing research – because I’m sure there’s a whole swag of stories and articles about to unroll after our recent travelling experiences. Just give me time…

Australia is a HUGE, vast nation (yep – both those!) rich in rugged beauty. I am still in awe of the landscapes – the colours and textures. The enormity! The open spaces – and the cavernous gorges. Roads that stretch as far as the eye can see. Again and again and again…

There’s so much to see and soak into your soul. Truly, how fortunate we are to call this place our home.

Over the next couple of blogs I’ll share a couple of holiday experiences with you – starting with my looooong trip to the CYA conference, and a crazy katch-up with some more kids (and YA) writers and illustrators. (What a fantastic bunch to be a part of!)

Check back on Friday for that. And if you’ve missed my two quick posts whilst on the road – scroll down below…

For now… I’m off to write!
(If you can imagine the kat that stole the cream… that’s me grinning right now. It’s been too long.)