If you’ve been or known a teenager in the past two decades you’re likely to have read one of his books.
John Marsden is the author of more than 30 novels, including the best selling series ‘Tomorrow when the war began’.
And this week he is making his way to the Hunter, visiting Newcastle and Maitland to share his views on language and communication.
Maitland especially holds special significance for Marsden, having been featured in the movie adaptation of ‘Tomorrow When the War Began.”
1. What will you be talking about during your library visits in Newcastle and Maitland this week?
Not so much my books as about writing and communication in general. I’m passionate about language: how to use it effectively, feelingly, even poetically!
2. What do you hope people will take away from it?
I hope they’ll become better language users. Especially those blokes who communicate in Neanderthal grunts… I hope they’ll get a better appreciation of how to make language work for them.
3. Did you always want to be an author?
Yes, but then I also wanted to play cricket for Australia and be Prime Minister. I’m not sure that I ever seriously expected any of these dreams to come true.
4. You are best known for the Tomorrow series – did you ever think it would become as popular as it did?
It has exceeded my expectations, but to be honest I knew even as I was writing it that it was going to be huge. It’s a shame I’ve never had that feeling whilst writing any of my other books.
5. Did you play a role in the movie adaptation of the first novel – and were you happy with it?
No, I had no involvement, except to go and watch a day’s filming at Fox Studios in Sydney. But I was delighted with the movie; I thought they did a great job.
6. Maitland was used in the movie adaptation of your book – was it similar to what you had in mind for the town of Wirawee?
Yes, I’m very excited to see Maitland at last. It was perfect for the film – an inspired choice.
7. What is it about young adult fiction that interests you?
I think my own teenage years were so intense and turbulent that I then developed an interest in that stage of life. Perhaps I should be slightly embarrassed to admit it, but I also like the teenage sense of humour. And I love the way teenagers often use language creatively and expressively.
8. What advice do you have for budding young writers?
Be specific – name everything in your story. Don’t just write “I bought a drink at the cafe.” Instead: “I bought a hot chocolate at Alfonso’s”. Detail is everything! Most young writers don’t write stories; they only write summaries, because they leave out so much detail.
9. What inspires you?
Whenever I read a great book I yearn to be better at writing; to be able to do what these brilliant writers have done. I guess that’s being inspired?
10. What are you working on next?
I have a book coming out for Christmas; a novel for the 10-12 age group. It hasn’t got a title yet; I need to come up with one pretty soon!
