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Do you do talks at schools? When I was a student I got in trouble for talking at school. Now I get paid for it! To book me for a school visit contact Booked Out http://www.bookedout.com.au/queensland/ or Show and Tell Promotions http://www.showtell.com.au/queensland/ and they'll do all the arranging so I show up at the right time (i.e. not lunchtime or sports day) and the right place (i.e. your school rather than the local police station). Where do you get the ideas for your books? I get my ideas from real life, because I think there are lots of great stories from the strange world in which we live. If you learn to observe what's going on around you there are stories everywhere. For example, one day I was camping and found myself in a shower with thin walls. I could hear two girls talking in the girls' shower, and they were having an interesting conversation so I got a bit closer to the wall. Everything one girl said sounded like a question. “Like, Ryan, he's like, a really good dancer? But he doesn't wear any deodorant? So he kinda stinks?” Everything was going great until one of the girl's fathers walked into the boys' showers. “It's okay,” I said. “I'm a writer. And I'm leaving now.” Though it's good for a writer to observe there should be no hidden cameras or microphones. Then you're no longer a writer, you're a stalker!
On your website it says Alex Jackson: Closing Out is the final instalment. Are you going to ever write about Alex again? I did write a prequel, Alex Jackson: Dropping In , which came out in 2004. As for continuing Alex's life after Year 10 in Alex Jackson: Closing Out, I'm not sure. Alex has been through enough stacks, on and off the skateboard, for awhile, I reckon. But you never know. Lots of kids have asked me to continue the series, and if a good idea pops into my head one hot, sleepless night, then anything's possible. Actually, if a good idea pops into your head one hot, sleepless night, shoot me an email. Anything's possible.
Is Alex Jackson based on a true story? Parts of the story are true, while other parts are made up. It's not so easy to guess the truth from fiction because often the true stuff is the strangest!
Do you skateboard like Alex Jackson? I didn't skate as a boy as I was a serious tennis player. (I never laughed on the court. :) When I decided to write the Alex Jackson series I bought a board and took up skating, all in the name of research. Because I was 31 when I started it was hard for me to become awesome, but I reckon I became average! After skating almost everyday for three years I can now ollie up gutters, pop shuv-it, 180 ollie and do simple tricks on the quarterpipe, like drop in, rock to fakies, and truck stalls. I actually haven't done much sk8ing since I ollied 3 steps and ripped all the tendons in my ankle. Now I prefer surfing because you land in soft water, and also because it's the subject of my next two books. I plan on doing some more surfing research tomorrow morning.
What was your favourite book when you were my age? When I was a young boy I used to love reading The Magic Faraway Tree books by Enid Blyton. I would pretend that the gum tree in front of my house was magic and climb right to the thin branch at the very top. One day the branch broke and I fell off! My sister, Lizzy, was sitting on the grass eating an apple, and when I hit the ground she said, “Where did you come from?” “The land of dropsies,” I replied. How long does it take to write one book? To write the first draft of a book usually doesn't take too long. Most of my books are about 25,000 words (which are short books) and if I write just over 1,000 words a day the book is written in three weeks. However, then the editor makes you rewrite it 3 times! They're like a teacher giving you heaps of homework, and if you don't do it you get detention! The editing process takes more than a year, but even though it can be hard work, it usually means a much better book.
If you ruled the world what would you like to change about it? I'd throw all guns, bombs and weapons into a huge bonfire and enjoy the fireworks (from a long way away!).
How long were you a teacher? Were you a good one? I was a high school teacher for five years before I became a full-time writer. I've taught English, SOSE, Ethics, Sport, and Personal Development and Thinking Skills. Was I good? Depends who you ask. Some would say I'm funny, others'd say I'm funny looking… Did you ever get into fights like Alex did? I had lots of fights with my little sister, Lizzy. When she stole money out of my piggy bank I'd pin her shoulders down with my knees and give her the ‘typewriter', gently ‘returning' her chin at the end of a sentence. She's extremely ticklish so it was lots of fun. Then she became older and tougher, and a black belt in Karate Kid. She'd stand on one leg with her arms wide, ala Daniel San from movie number 1, and make me laugh so much I'd lose concentration. Then she'd kick me in the shin and run away. I learnt boxing for awhile until I discovered I didn't enjoy being punched in the face. Now I try and talk myself out of fights, which I would suggest to anyone.
Where did you grow up? I grew up in Jimboomba, outside Brisbane in Queensland. It was a property and I used to love exploring the creeks, river and caves. I'd also jump on my cousin's motorbike when my mum wasn't looking! I loved my childhood, as there was lots of room to run around and heaps of cousins to play with. Now, I live near the beach on the Sunshine Coast. What's your favourite sport? Tennis. For some reason I was good at it and it took me all over the world. I played at Wimbledon, New York and Wagga Wagga. It also taught me how to lose. (Though I wish it didn't have to teach me so often!) I also love surfing, basketball and all types of footy. What kinds of music do you like? I like a bit of hip/hop and also singer/songwriters like Damien Rice, Missy Higgins and Liz Flynn www.lizflynn.net
What is the one bit of advice you would give a young author? Read a lot, write a lot. And become an observer of life, especially of other people. (Although if you are using hidden cameras and microphones, you are definitely going too far!) How much money do you make? JK Rowling is a billionaire from writing books. I reckon that's nothing because as for me, I'm a thousandaire. I'm also pretty bad at maths. If you want to help me earn more money, you can either: (a) buy one of my books, (b) book me to talk at your school, or (c) send me a winning lottery ticket.
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