Young author Denika Mead sits down with two fellow young writers, Arush Gupta and Arlo Kelly, to hear all about their books, their inspiration, and their creative processes.
Arush
Arush Gupta is the author of James Wood: Chronicles of a life-changing realisation. He released the book in 2022, when he was just 12 years old.
Q. When did you start writing?
So, I first started in 2021, but even before that, I found writing quite relaxing. When things got full on, or I was feeling stressed, I just wrote something quickly down and I felt quite relaxed and relieved after that.
When I moved to Auckland, I didn’t actually know anyone there. My first day of school was fine, then the second day was lockdown. After this, many things about me changed, like my hobbies. I was more confident. I think it was my mum who just gave me the idea—why don’t you write a book about this? After I got the Ministry of Education grant, it became a reality.
Q. Can you tell me a bit about the story and the main character?
The book is for 8-12-year-olds. My main character is James Wood. Most things that happened in the story are actually based on things [that have happened] in my life. For example, the poetry competition was based on the speech competition [I did] when I was new to the school. I didn’t think that anything would happen and then I did quite well.
I tried to make it so James’ story is relatable. It’s basically about a series of events that opens his eyes to a whole other world instead of just peer pressure and making your friends happy. Through introspection, he changes his way of thinking and, in the end, his life.
When things got full on, or I was feeling stressed, I just wrote something quickly down and I felt quite relaxed and relieved after that
Q. I really like the cover. How did you go about the process of getting it done?
At first we got a basic outline done. One of the main points in the book is where James decides he will try and pursue what he’s trying to do and there’s a scene when he’s at the drinking fountain and he sees the quote: The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is a little extra. So we thought that should be the cover because that’s one of the main points in the book.
Q. Do you have a favourite place you like to write?
I write whenever I can, but my main three places would be in my study, in the living room, and in my bed. If I had to choose one, I’d say my bedroom, because it’s just the most comfortable, but also, when I’m writing in different places, I usually get different ideas and it’s a different mindset.
Q. Do you plan out your books before you start writing, or do you prefer to see where the story takes you?
I initially tried to plan [my book], but that didn’t work even in the slightest. This whole story just unfolded by itself and took me where it was going.
This whole story just unfolded by itself and took me where it was going
Q. What was your process for getting the book published?
At first my mum contacted some publishers. One of them gave us the contact of Yourbooks who helped us shape the book and self-publish it.
Q. Did you find anything in the process surprising? How long did the whole process take?
The most surprising part would probably have been that it took a long time. We had to keep on going back and forth. [The writing] was more something I did in my spare time. It probably took about a year [to get the book published].
Q. Do you have any other passions besides writing?
My main passions besides writing would definitely be table tennis, chess, and basketball.
Q. How did you feel when you got your book published?
I think like most authors, I felt quite proud and accomplished. This started off as a crazy idea and now it’s actually a reality.
Q. What are your favourite books to read?
When I was younger, I loved to read books like Harry Potter, but now I like to read more like crime and detective novels and also thought-provoking texts, like The 6:20 Man, The Giver, and Gifted Hands.
As soon as you write something, ask someone to read through it. Be open to critical feedback
Q. How would you describe your book in three words?
I actually asked my sister how she would describe it—she’s eight. She said, ‘gripping’, ‘relatable’, and ‘fascinating.’
Q. What is your advice to young writers?
If they’ve already written the book, know that the process is going to be long and just keep at it and be open to suggestions. As soon as you write something, ask someone to read through it. Be open to critical feedback.
Q. Where can we buy your book?
In New Zealand, the best place to buy it is the Underground Bookstore. If you are outside of New Zealand or want it as an eBook, Amazon is best.
James Wood: Chronicles of a life-changing realisation
By Arush Gupta
Self-published
RRP: $15.00
Arlo
Arlo Kelly is the author of Echo, which was published in 2022 when Arlo was 15. Echo has been named as a finalist in this year’s New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults in the Best First Book category.
Q. How long have you been writing?
I think I’d just turned seven when I wrote my first book. It was a non-fiction book about the weather. From then I did little fiction stories and that slowly progressed into longer ones and more complex ones, until I got to a point where I wrote my first published novel: Echo.
Q. Can you tell me a bit about the story and the main character?
The main character is a 12-year-old boy named Eric and he is partially blind. He’s annoyed because his parents are quite…I wouldn’t really say paranoid, but they’re worried about his safety. He loves going out reefing and his parents are worried that due to his visual impairment, he might struggle if he tripped over or injured himself and it would be difficult for him to find his way home. When he meets a whale, he feels this is his opportunity to rebel.
Q. What was your inspiration?
I was wandering along my favourite East Coast beach with my sister after having visited the reef. I noticed my voice was echoing against the cliff and I kind of made that connection in my head—echoing—with whales. I headed straight back home to the beach house where we were staying, opened up my Chromebook, and started typing up the first chapter. I set the story mostly on the beach where we were walking that day.
I headed straight back home to the beach house where we were staying, opened up my Chromebook, and started typing up the first chapter
Q. I really like the cover. How did you go about the process of getting it done?
My mum was actually the one who made the cover. I gave some suggestions after the first draft was done, but my mum did 90% of the work on the cover. We were doing printing—woodcut prints, monoprints. My dad had a new printing press and we were trying it out. Mum started experimenting with whale shapes and water textures. That was where the first draft of the cover came from.
Q. Do you have a favourite place you like to write?
I started writing Echo while I was on holiday. Once we’d got home, I’d written the first few chapters, four chapters I think, and I mainly did the writing just on the sofa in the late afternoons and evenings. I like to be near a window if possible.
Q. Congratulations on being a finalist for the New Zealand Children’s Book Awards. How did it feel when you found out?
Thank you. I wasn’t expecting it and didn’t think anything was going to come [out] of entering it, so I was really surprised and happy.
Q. Do you plan out your books before you start writing, or do you prefer to see where the story takes you?
It kind of depends on the book, I guess. For Echo, I had a very loose idea to begin with. I don’t think I’ve ever actually planned out a story from beginning to end. But I definitely have a loose idea of what’s going to happen.
Q. What was your process for getting the book published?
My dad read it after I’d finished it, and my mum was reading it as I wrote it and gave me some advice. I also made some changes of my own as I went along, including adding a new character, Nigel, which involved a lot of rewriting. But I can’t imagine the story without him now. When I felt happy with how it was all working, we sent it off to an editor who was great at punctuation and spotting inconsistencies. My mum designed and typeset [the book], including adding some reviews which we put at the beginning of the book—some [of which were written] by my friends. Then it was printed locally at Yourbooks.
For Echo, I had a very loose idea to begin with. I don’t think I’ve ever actually planned out a story from beginning to end
Q. Do you have any other passions besides writing?
I’ve got chickens at my house—they’re lovely. I enjoy drawing birds—mainly our native birds. Selling prints of my drawings was actually the way I funded the first print run of my book. I sold the prints at the Kāpiti Arts Trail.
Q. How did you feel when you got your book published?
I was quite worried, to say the least. Designing it’s one thing, another is how it’s actually going to be printed—are the colours going to be correct? Is everything going to be in the right place? It was quite nerve-wracking, but it was really nice to see how well they came out.
Q. What are your favourite books to read?
Harry Potter’s my favourite series and I love the audiobook versions too. I also like a lot of the New Zealand authors, such as James Russell, Eirlys Hunter, and Des Hunt, they’re really good. The New Zealand aspect of Des Hunt’s work was definitely an inspiration.
It’s possible for anyone to [write]. You’ve got to dedicate quite a bit of time to it, but if you are committed and you’re interested in it, it is possible
Q. How would you describe your book in three words?
Uplifting, exciting, and moving.
Q. What is your advice to young writers?
It’s possible for anyone to do it. You’ve got to dedicate quite a bit of time to it, but if you are committed and you’re interested in it, it is possible.
Q. Where can we buy your book?
You can purchase the book through my website, arlokelly.com. They’re also in a range of bookshops and libraries around the country.
Denika Mead
Denika Mead is 19 and lives in Wellington, New Zealand. She has an unrelenting passion for fantasy and dystopian writing. She is the author of the Royal Orchid series and The Last Kingdom. She is currently working towards the New Zealand Diploma of Writing for Creative Industries at Whitireia. She also runs creative writing classes for children. Find out more at her website, denikameadauthor.com
Photo credit: Tabitha Arthur Photography