Thank you Karen for the interview. Dragon Skin was one of my favourite reads.

Interview

What was your inspiration for Dragon Skin? 

I was thinking a lot about the town I grew up in, Mt Isa, which is a mining town in the middle of nowhere. I was remembering my childhood there. I wanted to somehow combine these memories with my love of magic. I imagined a girl sitting at dusk in a dry creek bed who finds something impossible. A dragon. The story grew from there. 

What drew you to writing middle grade and YA books?

I don’t think a particular age group draws me in but rather the story that calls me. I do tend to write about younger people though so maybe that fits better into those reading ages. I also love the idea of magic in all its forms so that fits perfectly with these age groups. 

How did you choose which character to focus the story?     

Again, I think a character usually chooses me. They all arrive differently though. Some with a voice, for example Lenny’s opening lines in Lenny’s Book of Everything. Some are just a fragment of emotion, for example Rose in The Midnight Dress. Others arrive fully formed like Ophelia in Ophelia and the Marvellous Boy. I love the process of seeing a character grow and change with each draft. 

What was your process for writing for Dragon Skin?

Dragon Skin was actually a short story in the beginning. It was a really emotional short story but even as I wrote it I knew it probably needed more room. I started expanding, in particular adding the friendships, and it seemed right. It was a gradual process that took about a year.

Was your process different for writing Lenny’s Book of Everything?

I think every book process is different for me. Lenny’s Book of Everything was a failed short story that I didn’t touch for many years. Then after my mum died the story started calling me again. When I put pen to paper Lenny was waiting for me. I love when writing magic happens like that. 

What is your approach to world and character building?

I try not to overthink things. Most growth in character or world happens purely through rewriting and rewriting and rewriting again. Gradually character or world emerge and things become more apparent. The story stops being so fluid and things seem to cement into place.

How would you describe Dragon Skin in five words?

A Hopeful Adventure with Heart

Did you have a favourite moment in the book to write?

I loved writing the friendships most. I especially loved writing the story of the connection between Pip and Mika. They are such beautiful friends. I laughed and cried writing their relationship 

What was your favourite book growing up?

I don’t know if I could narrow it down to one! I really loved stories that featured a journey or quest, so anything from the fairytale The Snow Queen to Baum’s The Wizard of Oz. 

Do you have a favourite genre to read? 

I love lots of different genres: from true crime to middle grade fantasy to literary fiction or science fiction. It really just depends on my mood!