Sunday wrapped up the last day of the Gold Coast Writers Festival. It was a huge week filled with lots of wonderful creative talents, great information, inspirational thinking and the odd “out of the box” experience. On Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday I was lucky enough to participate in the Write it Write NOW program, a 3 day workshop including hands-on training to teach people how to create a children’s picture book. This is a brilliant step by step guide to writing and illustrating a children’s picture book. If you are interested in the program, or perhaps becoming a tutor, you can visit the website here. 

On Friday I was involved in the Authors’ in Schools Program. This is my second year as an author visiting schools as part of this program and on both occasions I have enjoyed the experience.

I approach my school visits on a child awareness level. I’m very happy to use lots of expression and praise whenever I can. I’m also very comfortable to use my many years of collecting comics and a few visual indicators that I’m still into the ‘comic and pop culture scene” and this may include wearing one of my many t-shirts (usually Spider-Man) to engage them right from the beginning. This year we talked about why I liked Spider-Man as a character. This conversation then lends itself to engaging the children to be responsive and then continuing on to teach them about building a character sketch.
This year I also included a “high impact performance reading” which is basically a live dramatic performance bringing one of my characters in my books to life. It lasts no more than three minutes. This coincidentally linked in with the children’s school program as they had just started to learn about drama. Beautiful! Goes without saying, I managed to link children’s literature with drama together in one workshop. You know you’ve presented a good workshop when every child completes their character sketch, including a drawing and writes a wonderful comment on the feedback sheet. But wait there’s more, they also asked me to perform the drama piece again… only “Make it even scarier Ms Vacen” I just love children! They keep it real.  Below is the feedback sheet from the children, conveying their thoughts and feelings about  the workshop. #grateful

On Saturday I was a presenter in the Read. Write. Create program. I performed my high impact performance reading and explained a little about how it can be used as an additional tool to engage potential readers. The idea is to encourage your audience to remember you and your book. This kind of reading should have an impact on the audience.

Not every character or scene in your book will lend itself to this kind of reading, but this kind of performance is a wonderful way to engage your potential readers.

Truth be told this kind of performance requires a certain amount of confidence to present. I know, I know, I can hear you all saying, “We’re not dramatic performance artists we’re authors.’ But let’s think about this for a moment. We’re creatives. We’re storytellers. This is what we do. We bring characters to life. Today as writers are now expected to write, market, teach, speak, create newsletters, blog, and engage in social media to cultivate a thriving fan base. We have to now look at new ways to engage our audience, cultivate our readers and continue to be creative.

The Saturday program was filled with amazing presenters all offering something different.

Mandy Nolan, a stand-up comedian, journalist, scriptwriter, shared her views on life and comedy and was hilarious in her delivery. Julie Fison gave a wonderful presentation and her website is here. Charmaine Clancy also gave a fabulous presentation and her website is found here.  Bryan Vadas founder of iPledg presented a talk on crowd funding.

To finish a week of all things literary many of us attended the literary luncheon. This was a wonderful day where we all came together to celebrate the wonderful achievements of our amazing authors. Huge thank you to the Gold Coast Writers Association and the Gold Coast Writers Festival.

Robert Young (author), Vacen Taylor (author), Dr Moya Costello (author) and Susan Curran (journalist)

So until next time. Be brave and bold in your chosen field of creativity. And never be afraid to explore new techniques.

This month I’ve been very blessed with several wonderful reviews and a beautiful comment from a fellow author who lives in America.

To start the month of February STARCHILD  Book One: The Age of Akra was reviewed by Mother Daughter & Son Book Reviews. Below is a piece from the review.

To say that the amazingly imaginative world and setting Vacen Taylor has created in Starchild greatly appeals to my inner geek is a huge understatement.  In chapter 1, Taylor sets the stage by describing (in just right amount of detail) the multilayered and complex social structure of the foreign planet Sage.  We learn about the special gifts and powers of the various people who inhabit the planet such as thoughtbankers, lightsealers, darksealers, soundwavers, soulbankers, firerulers, waterclaspers, and earthfollowers – all of whom play a key role in Mai and Long’s journey.  And then there are the antagonists: darkones, minions, the spiderflax, dementras, and more. Oh what an imagination!  Loved it – more please!

You can read the full review for Starchild Book One: The Age of Akra here

Then at the end of the month STARCHILD Book Two: The City of Souls was reviewed by Mother Daughter & Son Book Reviews. Below is a piece from the review.

As with the previous book, I found myself thinking about Star Wars while reading The City of Souls.  The sand slavers reminded me of the Tusken Raider Sandmen from Star Wars and Viridi, the green healer reminded me of Yoda: “Collar, collar, collar. Mystical things they are. Hard to unlock.”  I also sometimes felt like the author was influenced by Tolkien’s Lord of Rings with descriptions of a dark force stirring and armies assembling.  The story even had elements à la Indiana Jones as the children have to navigate through a booby-trap laden chamber.  So, in short you can expect a real mix of genres with this science fiction and fantasy adventure.  As my daughter would say:  I loved, loved, loved it!

My Bottom Line: Starchild: The City of Souls is the second book in a science fiction fantasy featuring an intricate and engaging plot, well-developed characters who are faced with new challenges, a well-described setting reminiscent of Star Wars with a hint of Lord of the Rings and Indiana Jones-style action and suspense.  I’m in this series for the whole haul as I feel completely invested in what happens next as the prophecy continues to roll forward.  I highly recommend this book as well as the series to science fiction aficionados ages 10 years and older looking for something a little different.

You can read the full review here. 

To top all that off a wonderful author in America who I respect and admire for his ability to write wonderful stories and extremely beautiful poetry Ben Ditmars wrote this special comment about my book after reading it. Thank you Ben. 🙂

Ben’s reading recommendation:
Vacen Taylor has written an incredible fantasy series called Star Child. The characters are on a journey to the Valley of a Thousand Thoughts in the City of Souls. The magic, characters, and world the author creates are astounding. Everything feels like something I haven’t read before.

Please check out Ben Ditmars blog here.

I highly recommend Ben’s book Haiku in the Night. I absolutely love the poetry in this book.  In fact I often read some of the poems over and over. I’m blessed to know such a wonderful creative human being.

To start the year of blog posts I’m going to highlight a few of my favourite book reviews for Book One: The Age of Akra.

The first book review is by Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Prepare to be taken away to the planet Sage, as we embark on a quest for the Valley of a Thousand Thoughts and are led well beyond the scope of our initial journey.

Here’s a little piece of what Gina had to say about Book One: The Age of Akra

“Far be it from me to try and over explain a work of fantasy even at a middle grade level seeing as how it’s not my usual forte, admittedly though, I HAD FUN!  So, in order to better get across my likes/dislikes, I’ll approach this one on familiar ground.  Characters anyone?  Mai was a GREAT character; humble, loyal, eager to learn as well as share what she has learned, in other words a great model as well as fictitious leader in the making.  She has a lot on her shoulders but makes the most of each challenge and never accepts defeat.  (Definitely like her… ^_^)  Long, the unlikely volunteer and yet perfect traveling companion especially with his unique skills, proves to be the comic relief most often, but also shows us that your lot in life does not measure the size of your heart…and despite any misgivings you may have about him, Long’s really is quite large.  Oh yes, and speaking of comic relief, I couldn’t forgive myself if I left out Barka!  He’s a good-natured little fellow that never hesitates to tell you like it is…though tell is not meant in the traditional sense.  Think Rapunzel…(read the book…you’ll see)…”

The full review can be found here.  Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers

The second book review is by  Mother, Daughter and Son Book Reviews.

Here’s a little of what Renee had to say about Book One: The Age of Akra.

“To say that the amazingly imaginative world and setting Vacen Taylor has created in Starchild greatly appeals to my inner geek is a huge understatement.  In chapter 1, Taylor sets the stage by describing (in just right amount of detail) the multilayered and complex social structure of the foreign planet Sage.  We learn about the special gifts and powers of the various people who inhabit the planet such as thoughtbankers, lightsealers, darksealers, soundwavers, soulbankers, firerulers, waterclaspers, and earthfollowers – all of whom play a key role in Mai and Long’s journey.  And then there are the antagonists: darkones, minions, the spiderflax, dementras, and more. Oh what an imagination!  Loved it – more please!”

Starchild: The Age of Akra is an absolutely riveting read. The full book review can be found here Mother, Daughter & Son Book Reviews

A great book review means a lot to a writer. As a creative a writer’s work is often, in many ways, an extension of some part of themselves. Some of us just allow the work to flow organically while others develop it carefully. There is no wrong or right in my opinion. There is simply a story being told the way the creative person intended it to be told. : )

If you have read Book One then it’s time to read Book Two: The City of Souls.

Last Friday I participated in The Gold Coast Writers Festival – a Celebration of Young Writers proudly presented by the Gold Coast Writers Association.

The Authors in Schools Program

On Friday authors presented workshops and talks to children in participating schools. I was lucky enough to attend the Surfers Paradise Primary School with two other authors, Pamela Cameron Clarke and The Banjo of the Bush, Dave Farrer. As guest authors we were able to encourage children to explore the world of storytelling and poetry.

I presented a talk on comics, storyboarding and storytelling. These are subjects I’m most passionate about because I’ve collected comics for many, many years. Back when I began collecting comics there weren’t many girls who read comics let alone collected them. On Friday I was excited to find out  there were many girls who enjoyed reading comics and knew a lot about comics and superheroes.

I talked a little about comics, my collection, and the one thing all writers or comic creators need to begin creating “an idea”. I also talked about graphic novels which I also collect these days too. Storyboarding is another element that can be fun for children to explore. I showed them a very basic little story that I created using a comic storyboard technique, leaving some dialogue boxes incomplete and areas that can be changed or rewritten so we could explore possible changes or additions.

We then moved on to storytelling and explored the three basic elements we need when beginning to write a story, character, setting and time by using my “Step Over the Line” technique. That was lots of fun!

I’d like to thank the Principal, Gary Ivory, the teachers, and especially the children of Surfers Paradise Primary School for allowing me to visit their wonderful school.

I’d also like to thank the Gold Coast Writers Association for asking me to participate in such a fantastic event.

I’ll leave you with a few of the wonderful comments the children wrote for me.

 Thank you to all the children at the Surfers Paradise Primary School. 🙂 xx

Today is the DAY!  I’m thrilled, overjoyed and a little nervous. It’s the book cover reveal! In a world captivated by the visual it’s a big deal for any author. Removing a precious illustration from its safe, warm environment, being the illustrator’s hands were it has remained protected for months produces a range of emotions.  Revealing any creation will do that to creators in any field of the arts. When an illustration goes out to the world readers are seeing the very first snippet of what is to come. I think it’s one of the most important moments for an author and illustrator. So today I give you…                            

Starchild Book Two: The City of Souls.

In The Age of Akra, a pilgrimage to the Valley of a Thousand Thoughts brings together four children as an ancient prophecy is set in motion. Having triumphed against dangerous adversaries, Mai, Long, Akra and Sahib are now pursued by the melkarie and must escape to the City of Souls. In the land of Naroan, in a city hidden under a blanket of living green, they are confronted with the challenge to find the Singing Soul.

But the underworld has other plans, and a beast so fierce is conjured to stop the children from finding anything that will add to the power to the prophecy of the seven nations.

COVER REVEAL GIVEAWAY  Go to Odyssey Books to enter the giveaway. GOOD LUCK!