In the latest Fremantle Press Podcast, host Rebecca Higgie invites historical fiction aficionados Dianne Wolfer and Elaine Forrestal to talk about the effects of war on young people and the harsh realities of gold fever in the unforgiving climate of Coolgardie
Dianne Wolfer and Elaine Forrestal are both well-loved and well-established writers who have published a shelfload of historical children’s fiction between them. Settle in for a great podcast as the pair go in-depth on their writing process, and share tips on how to research and write historical fiction.
Dianne says that although there are many stories out there about Australia’s involvement with WWI, not many tell the stories of the ordinary people who did extraordinary things during that time. Her Light series was inspired by a newspaper clipping – a story about a girl who was in the right place at the right time, helping to signal troopships from the lighthouse on the island she lived and grew up on. Elaine says that Goldfields Girl is told from the point of view of the rarely heard voice of a teenage girl, it is a story about adventure, courage and survival.
Writing and financial security rarely come hand in hand, and the authors discuss the different types of support they receive to help them continue on their writing journey. They look at how their writing has changed over time, and how the industry has changed too.
Show notes:
Lighthouse Girl, Light Horse Boy and In the Lamplight by Dianne Wolfer and illustrated by Brian Simmonds are part of the Light series. Dianne’s other works include Photographs in the Mud and Choices. They’re available in all good bookstores and online. You can connect with Dianne on Facebook @DianneWolferAuthor and on Instagram @diannewolfer.
Goldfields Girl by Elaine Forrestal is a historical novel for middle readers. Her other works for Fremantle Press include Miss Llewellyn-Jones Goes to Town and A Glassful of Giggles. They’re available in all good bookstores and online. You can find Elaine at her website.
Interviewer Rebecca Higgie was the inaugural winner of the Fogarty Literary Award for writers aged 18 to 35. Her winning novel, The History of Mischief, will be in stores this September. You can connect with Rebecca on Facebook @RebeccaHiggieAuthor, on Instagram @RebeccaHiggieAuthor or on Twitter @RebeccaHiggie
Music: ‘Letter to a Daughter of St George’, from the Meat Lunch EP: Songs from Floaters. Written by Alan Fyfe. Performed by Trevor Bentley (guitar and vocals – @trevormb) and Chris Parkinson (harmonica). Produced by Blake Carnaby of Nuglife studios with impresario work by Benjamin P. Newton.
Producer: Claire Miller
Mastered and edited by: Aidan d’Adhemar
Sponsor: This show was made possible with a grant from the Copyright Agency’s Cultural Fund
Buy Lighthouse Girl, read a sample chapter or access the teaching notes.
Buy Light Horse Boy, read a sample chapter or access the teaching notes.
Buy In the Lamplight, read a sample chapter or access the teaching notes.
Buy Photographs in the Mud or access the teaching notes.
Buy Choices or access the teaching notes.
Buy Goldfields Girl, read a sample chapter, access the teaching notes or use the activity sheet.
Buy Miss Llewellyn-Jones Goes to Town, read a sample chapter, or access the teaching notes.
Buy A Glassful of Giggles or access the teaching notes.
Buy The History of Mischief, read a sample chapter or access the teaching notes.
