Just So Stories

Welcome Fiona to Just So Stories and thank you so much for taking the time to give us some insight into you, your work and your life. Your first novel Being Jimmy Baxter is one of the most charming, funny and moving middle grade books I’ve read in recent times, and I loved it muchly! So, let’s start there.

Tell us about writing Jimmy’s story. What was your inspiration? How long did it take to bring the novel to fruition? What are you most happy about with it?

Thank you for your lovely comments! I’m so happy you loved Jimmy. He’s been through some tough times, but has made lovely friendships and discoveries along the way. So, Jimmy’s character was initially inspired by Morris Gleitzman’s character Felix from his Once series. These books deal with very serious topics and are written in such a beautiful, poignant yet humorous way that I was really drawn into his world. In imagining what might happen to Felix in an Australian setting, Jimmy’s character and story began to emerge. I drew on many of my own experiences growing up, such as the discomfort of being the new kid at school, my parents struggling with money, and my own mental health later in life. Writing Jimmy was surprisingly quick (for me!) It took around nine months to complete, although we added a few more chapters in the edits. Apart from the stunning cover (wow!), I’m so happy that my editor Heather requested those extra chapters, as they deal with the aftermath of a particularly difficult incident for Jimmy, which I hadn’t really explored. They’re now some of the chapters I’ve enjoyed reading back the most.

When did you first decide to aim for a published work? Have you always wanted to be a writer? What has your writing journey been like?

I’ve wanted to write for as long as I can remember. I wrote my first book when I was 11, Christmas in Wintery Wood. I illustrated it myself and wrapped it in Christmas paper for a cover. I’ve always written poems and short stories, but once I had children, I thought it was too late to pursue a career in writing. Thankfully, inspired by an author friend, I took it up again about seven years ago and decided to go for it! From that point on I listened to every podcast on writing that I could find, did courses and workshops, joined some of the wonderful children’s literature writing communities both online and in person, and did a lot of googling around technique. I had some luck with competitions and was published in three anthologies. By the time the idea for Jimmy arrived, I was ready to take the plunge and write a whole novel.

Tell us about young Fiona growing up in the north of England. What was your childhood like – and what were you like (nice, naughty, nerdy,neat…)?

The north of England is a beautiful place; castles, wild beaches, museums, old villages and wonderful vibrant cities. Due to Dad’s job requirements (a priest) we were always on the move. We had many different houses between semi-rural and city locations, meaning I was the new kid at school more than once. I became short-sighted early on and suffered bad asthma and eczema. I was shy and quiet, lacking in confidence and often teased – did one cause the other? I don’t know. Either way, I liked my own space to do quiet activities (and still do!) I was a huge Dr. Who fan, loved collecting smurfs and climbing trees. We had a cat, ducks and hens. I used to take the hens for a ride on my sledge when it was snowing. Before the age of 12 we really didn’t have a lot of money, so sometimes we’d only heat one room. For holidays we’d do house swaps and play lots of board games. Later when things picked up financially, we went on days out exploring and sometimes to the theatre. I  loved high school, but always struggled with maths (I believe I probably have Dyscalculia). Falling in love with drama grew my confidence. By upper sixth (year 12), I was a bit wild! But anxiety was always lurking…

You have had some fascinating travels I know. What places stand out for you and and why?

In 2012, before the recent military coup, I visited Myanmar with my husband and parents. My granny was born in the north of what was then Burma, and we were able to visit the hill station where she’d lived before World War 2 changed everything. The people are so beautiful. It was just an incredible experience to finally see the places that I’d heard so much about growing up. Her home, (which was taken as the local Japanese Head Quarters), was long gone, but the school she attended was almost identical to the old photos she’d managed to bring out of the country in her few possessions.

The other wonderful place, was Prague. By my twenties, Dad had a new job as a chaplain in a boys school, and I tagged along on their school music tour where they sang in the Týn Church in the old town plaza. The city is so beautiful with great food and wonderful streets to wander around, and of course the stunning Charles Bridge. We also visited the Sedjec Ossuary, where artwork has been created from the bones of thousands of 14th century plague victims and crusaders. Poignant yet strangely peaceful. I quite like the idea of being a piece of art one day!

Likewise, your resume has some widely varied jobs including some that were literary in a different sense. How have these equipped you or given you the experience to produce a successful kids’ novel such as Jimmy?

I’m a person who finds it hard to stick with the same thing for too long, so I suppose I fell into job-hopping to satisfy my curiosity. I just ticked off my list things I wanted to try. In hindsight, many of them involved a story telling role, such as the many travel and tour guiding jobs I had, and working in TV. I was exposed to a vast range of cultures, practices and people from all walks of life; actors, cleaners, chefs, thieves, a Prime Minister – and one of the Dr. Who’s!  I’m able to draw on such a rich range of people and experience now, when creating characters.

My standard question for visiting creators is: what does your workspace look like and what is your working day like? (we LOVE photos if possible- because I’m pretty sure my blog readers are just as big stickybeaks as I am!)

I am super lucky to have a peaceful workspace because I REALLY NEED silence in order to focus! Some years ago, we converted our garage into a room and I moved all my ‘pretty’ things in, items that meant something to me or are peaceful or pleasing to look at. Sometimes I do work in cafes, but that’s usually on something that doesn’t require as much focus as when I’m initially creating. I work part-time which mostly gives me one or two full (school hour) days to create, and I also squeeze in some evenings or early mornings. Once I’ve done the school run, I’ll do emails, social media and work ‘business’ (e.g preparing answers, a critique, organising events etc) then re-read whatever I wrote the day before and carry on from there. I’m not particularly good at planning exercise into my day, (which I need to do more of!) I usually hang out washing or pick a few weeds in my breaks.  I’ve done yoga most of my life, but I’ve dropped the ball on that a bit now. I  have a sit-stand desk that sits on top of my table so I can vary my  positions. I live beside a main road, but have trained a bright pink bougainvillea right across my window so I stare at that when I’m thinking.

What do you do in your down time when not writing or being a busy working woman? Do you have favourite hobbies and interests?

That’s an interesting question because I suppose I consider writing as my downtime as well as work – I love it so much! I do love food, so catching up with friends over coffee and a long lunch is always lovely – but hard to organise with everyone being so busy. I also love singing but haven’t sung in a choir or a show for years now. My husband loves the river. He was brought up on the Hawkesbury, so we sometimes go out on the water which is always a good de-stress. I’ve also always loved TV. I watch it to wind down at night and find it hard to get to sleep without the white noise of dialogue.

Have you started work on something new? If so, can you give us some hints? Do you see yourself writing across genres, or do you have a preference?

I definitely love writing across genres; it plays into that same need to be trying something different all the time! I finished writing a novel for teens earlier this year which is totally different to Being Jimmy Baxter in every way other than it also deals with some topical issues. I’m currently experimenting with a fantasy novel for ages 10+ which I’m loving, and I have some picture book texts which I’d like to revisit down the track. One day I’d love to tell my Granny’s family story…

What do you consider your greatest strength? weakness?

Strength,  I would say that possibly due to my interest in theatre and acting, I can really get to grips with voice. I tend to read the work in different accents until I can find a rhythm which in turn helps define the character.

My weakness is probably editing on the go. I find it hard to move on until the previous paragraph reads as well as possible, so a days work can sometimes only be 200 words – but they’re 200 words I’m happy with.

What would you like your epitaph to read?

I know I should think of something deep and meaningful here but this has always made me laugh: for most of my adult life I’ve lived with incredibly poor sleep.

‘I told you I was tired’

would be highly appropriate!  Hopefully it will give the reader a laugh too.

Fiona, thank  you again for taking time out to satisfy our curiosity!! It’s been grand getting to know you a little bit better. And, again, congratulations on the success of Being Jimmy Baxter! I know many of us are looking forward to your next book.

Fiona with the always exuberant Susanne Gervay and introducing Jimmy Baxter around the country. Congratulations on such a cracking read!