What an amazing week on Storylines Northland tour last week, travelling from Ōrewa via Dargaville, Kaikohe and many small places in between, all the way up past Kaitaia and finishing in Mangonui.
Thanks to lovely fellow authors Angie Belcher, Swapna Haddow and Vasanti Unka for their wonderful company, to Anne Dickson for her skilful driving and in-depth knowledge of the schools of the far North and to Storylines for the opportunity to be a part of it and for their meticulous organising.
We had such a lot of fun and hopefully made a difference to some of the over 3,000 students we met during the week.
- Highlights
The feeling of being steeped in the history of the North
Driving through the Waipoua Kauri Forest and walking the
track to see Tāne Mahuta
The Year 5 and 6 girls at Dargaville Primary School who all
lined up for autographs after my session
A warm welcome at the smallest school I’ve ever visited,
Kaihu Valley School
The Year 9 and 10 girls who gave me hugs after my session at
Northland College
The Year 5 and 6 girls who gave us a tour of their lovely
school in Kawakawa
Walking on the beach at Ahipara
Doing one session in a church at Pompallier Catholic School!
Our furthest north school, Waihārara, and the Years 0-2 who
put up their hands at question time and said Thank you for coming to our school
and I love your books
Seeing signs for Cape Reinga and 90 mile beach
Icecream at the Cable Bay store
Sunrise over the water at Mangonui and beautiful whale poems
and art on the walls of one classroom at Mangonui School
- Best highlight of all
All the students who sang us a waiata after our session, so
special, such beautiful voices!
- Favourite comment
I’ve never met an author before! (Riley from Ohaikau
College, looking star-struck)
- Favourite questions
Which was the hardest book to write?
Is it worth being a writer? (what a thoughtful question that really made me think about how
we measure what things are “worth”)
Have you kept a diary?
What are good things about being a writer?
How long have you (me and Swapna) known each other?
What do you love about writing?
How do you choose a title?
Will you come back tomorrow? because I’ve got a book to show
you!
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