The Write Life - on the page

Skimming the sky

2012-01-21T18:16:00.000-08:00

The dance of the crop duster came and looped and twirled above our heads, above our house, before skimming off to the nearby hills.

Magic.

A sneak look at Broken's cover ... ...

2012-01-06T12:27:00.000-08:00

... ... which is being published by Walker Books, Australia. Isn't it just gorgeous?

Also a couple of interesting bits about the YA novel, here and here. Wow! It is due out in July.

Midsummer glory

2012-01-03T20:04:00.000-08:00

I have been trying to grow a decent Hollyhock for a long time. This year there has been success in spite of some wild winds. They are taller than me even though some of their spines are crooked. Their flowers are huge. Such a comfort to see them when man-about-the-yard and self spent a day and a half looking for my wedding ring lost whilst working amongst the gardens.

Then...just when I had given up...well my back had...man-about-the-yard saw a glint in the grass. There it was. In a spot that we had combed and walked on at least fifty times.

Mischief in the making methinks!

All in a 'write' day

2011-12-15T15:29:00.000-08:00

Yesterday man-about-the-yard and I were digging down to the septic tank. We needed to remove the dirt (heavy clay - no heavy wet clay) so it could be cleaned out. I'm talking knee height, plus three metres by two metres. Last night we hardly spoke, our backs did that for us.

This morning I was busy editing Lily book number five - Lily chases lost dreams - due out early next year.

Then five minutes ago I spotted the Christmas Lily's were beginning to flower. So had to pick some. Man-about-the-yard gets hay fever so they have been smuggled up to my work room. I'm sure it won't remain a secret for long though, what with their perfume being so strong.

But some things are worth the sneezing wrath.

Nice review of Lily goes Skitter Skating & Lands in Bubble Trouble

2011-12-13T13:35:00.000-08:00

Thank you kids books!

A great place for reading about NZ children's and YA books.

Bobby Brown's Cat

2011-12-13T12:32:00.000-08:00


	A new reader with Hinkler Education - love the cat!

Around the garden

2011-12-07T13:39:00.001-08:00

A blooming feast

Early vegetables bounding ahead


	Mother on her nest - spotted her from the upstairs bedroom


Iris at her best

I should be writing ... ...

2011-11-24T16:53:00.001-08:00

... instead I've been making these tiny, fiddly mice!

School visit

2011-11-22T14:49:00.001-08:00

One of the perks of getting away from the desk is visiting schools and meeting the children.

Had a really great time at Balclutha Primary yesterday.

Another perk is being able to stop for coffee along the way.

This is Waihola in the early morning. So lovely.

Lily books three & four

2011-11-22T13:41:00.001-08:00

Such lovely reviews. Thank you bug review
http://bugreviews.wordpress.com/2011/11/22/the-littlest-angel-lily-goes-skitter-skating-the-littlest-angel-lily-lands-in-bubble-trouble/

and also Lily (7) who has a wonderful review on their Facebook
http:www.booksellers.co.nz/

Two further Lily books

2011-10-21T16:55:00.000-07:00

Aren't they both so gorgeous. Aki's artwork is fabulous.

Both books are out on November lst.

Which I have to add is also our wedding anniversary (well over forty years).

Plus 'Lily lands in bubble trouble' is my 50th publication for children.

Time to celebrate.

Great Mates Anthology - Children's stories

2011-10-15T18:48:00.000-07:00

It is so nice being included in anthologies.

This time my story is called 'Snake-breath and Sweetie-pie'.

A great variety of 'friendly' stories

by wonderful writers.

Storylines - free family day in Dunedin

2011-08-11T21:10:00.000-07:00

This is the first ever Storylines to be held in Dunedin. So exciting.

I will be there launching 'The Littlest Angel - Lily' into the world...

... plus taking part in a myriad of other activities as well.

I have previously taken part in two of the Auckland Storylines festivals, they were great fun.

Here is the programme of who and what is happening on Saturday 20 August at Dunedin's library.

It would be great to see you there.

Jellylegs - the short movie

2011-08-02T16:09:00.000-07:00

WOW!

Look what came in the post the other day!

A short movie of my book 'Jellylegs' made by Linda Darby-Coring of Brightspark Creations.

It is so good.

Loved all the characters as they came to life.

There is something really special about seeing one's work on the screen.

A new reader

2011-07-10T18:27:00.000-07:00

It is always lovely to have another reader out. That's because I find them extremely difficult to write.

The great illustrations bring the text alive.

The Littlest Angel - Lily

2011-06-17T17:22:00.000-07:00

Two beautiful new books. The first two in the series.

Lily gets her wings and Lily has a secret.

Scholastic, along with Aki Fukuoka, have done the most brilliant work on Lily to bring her to life. The books are stunning.

I couldn't be happier!

Books and a Writing Workshop

2011-06-13T16:29:00.000-07:00

Next week I'm talking about books at the Otago Boys' High School. Then the following day I'm out at Port Chalmers to run a writing workshop for children, along with two extra famous writers, Kyle Mewburn and David Elliot. I can see I'm going to have my work cut out!

The NZ Post Children's Book Awards Evening

2011-05-20T18:56:00.000-07:00

What a magical night.

It was simply wonderful to be shortlisted and to experience the evening.

Congratulations to all the winners.

Taking time away from the writing desk

2011-05-01T15:19:00.000-07:00

I'm off next week. First to Upper Hutt for two days and then onto Masterton, Wairarapa for another day. I'm visiting schools as part of the NZ Post Children's Book Award Events.

I'm leaving man-about-the-yard in charge.

I really enjoy going to schools. I learn a lot, especially what the children like to read.

Looking forward to having heaps of fun.

Coming soon

2011-04-15T21:40:00.000-07:00

This book was such fun to write.

Check out the brilliant illustrations by Philip Webb.

Not long until it hits the shelves.

Storylines Notable Books

2011-04-15T21:12:00.000-07:00

Really great that Tussock has been recognised by the NZ Children's Literature Foundation.

Tussock - shortlisted in the Children's Book Awards

2011-02-22T16:00:00.000-08:00

Wow! Such great news ...

... and in such great company.

For the complete list of shortlisted titles go here

Donkey's Revenge

2011-01-28T16:34:00.000-08:00

This children's story, published in Scholastic's 'Pick 'n' Mix volume one, has just been picked up by Radio NZ.

I do so like unexpected gifts like that!

Pick 'n' Mix Anthology - Volume 2

2011-01-28T16:31:00.000-08:00

I am lucky enough to have a story in the second volume as well as the first. These anthologies are just great.

My story is called Cocky and is about a parrot who talks in rhyme and is quite rebellious!

Pick 'n' Mix Anthology - Volume 1

2010-11-07T12:45:00.000-08:00

I'm in such good company in this anthology published by Scholastic.

Because my family has always been involved in the theatre I often have stories in such a setting. There always seems to be plenty of opportunity for things to go wrong. Donkey's Revenge is such a story.

Picture Book Reprint

2010-09-26T21:11:00.000-07:00

Shut the Gate is being reprinted.

Brilliant!

Another great review of Tussock

2010-09-16T19:06:00.000-07:00

To read the latest review please go here.

The Doubling Bike

2010-09-07T16:48:00.000-07:00

My adult's short story is to be on the National Programme Radio NZ on Friday 17th September. This story was one of ten shortlisted for the Katherine Mansfield short story competition two years ago.

Tussock Classroom Notes

2010-09-07T16:32:00.000-07:00

Here are some great notes for Tussock produced by Walker Books for my novel.

Three great reviews of Tussock

2010-08-17T18:31:00.000-07:00

Story Time Books for Kids by Malcolm

‘One of the things I like most about the story is the way in which much is left unexplained. Young and new writers often feel they have to tie up every loose end, but Elizabeth Pulford is confident enough to leave some things unresolved. The characterisation is lovely, from Kate, though her mother to Old Jonesy, the farmhand; the landscape is beautifully evoked; and the way the characters deal with the uncertainty of whether grief or worry or anger is appropriate is confidently complex. I like this book a lot and recommend it for confident readers over ten, though secondary students will get even more from it.’

Full review here.

KidsBooksNZ by Lorraine Orman

‘Thirteen-year-old Kate is devastated when her father goes missing after a light aircraft crash. This thoughtful story looks at the few days after the crash when the family members are waiting for news and veering between hope and despair… … … … Beautifully written, this tale is imbued with the slightly eerie atmosphere of the New Zealand high country.’

Full review here.

Australian Bookseller and Publishers by John McIntyre - The Children's Bookshop

‘…Author Elizabeth Pulford mixes contemporary issues with a family drama in a rural setting, and skilfully develops the sense of angst around relationships that teenage girls typically feel and readers in their early teens cherish.’

Lake Ohau where 'Tussock' was set

2010-07-17T19:32:00.000-07:00

This is what I saw for two weeks when I began writing 'Tussock'.

There is the lake I called Lake Loma and behind Ben Loma the mountain and of course in the foreground is the ever present tussock.

Isn't it just gorgeous.

Real Tussock Land

2010-07-15T18:37:00.001-07:00

Here is the countryside that Kate and Madeline would walk through to get to the hut.

Tussock

2010-07-14T20:35:00.001-07:00

My latest book is coming out on 1st August 2010, published by Walker Books, Australia and New Zealand

The back blurb says:

'When her father goes missing Kate's life is thrown into chaos.
More than ever before, she is drawn to the old tin hut among the tussock grass.
There she lights a lamp each night to guide her father home.
And there she meets the troubled Troy.
Secretive and brooding, Troy seems almost as lost as her father.
Kate wonders if her life will ever be the same.'