Thank you Shirley for the interview. I really enjoyed A Glasshouse of Stars.

Interview

What was your inspiration for All Four Quarters of the Moon? 

All Four Quarters of the Moon was inspired by the real-life relationship between me and my sister when we were children! When we first migrated to Australia, we couldn’t speak English, so we only had each other. We even created a secret paper world like in the book! 

What was your inspiration for A Glasshouse full of stars? 

A Glasshouse of Stars was inspired by my personal journey of migrating to Australia when I was eight and how it was like trying to learn a completely new language and culture and the loneliness and isolation that came with it.

How did you choose which character to focus the story? 

I am an Own Voices author so my main characters are always based on myself, as I feel in that way, I am telling an authentic, genuine and heartfelt story

What are the differences between writing a YA book and a middle grade book? 

I feel when I write MG I am writing from my inner child and when writing YA, it’s my inner teenager, so tone and subject wise, it’s a lot darker writing YA! I feel it is about choosing the right stories that are important for each age group which are very different.

What is your approach to world and character building? 

I let it happen very organically. Usually I settle on a character and as I write, their world comes into focus. My stories are contemporary ones, so as I follow my character I can see what their home, what their suburb looks like, their school and the places important to them.  

How would you describe All Four Quarters of the Moon in five words? 

A magical world of paper

How would you describe A Glasshouse full of stars in five words? 

Discovering where you fit in 

Did you have a favourite moment to write? 

In the middle of the night when everyone is asleep and it’s quiet and I feel like the only person in the world

What was your favourite book growing up? 

The Magic Faraway Tree by Enid Blyton

Do you have a favourite genre to read? 

I love contemporary middle grade!