StoryLinks interviews Debbie Smith, winner of the 2018 StoryLinks Short Story Competition

Debbie spoke to Mia Macrossan about her writing life.

Why do write children’s stories? Do you write any other kinds of stories?  What kind of stories do you write – do you write for a particular age group or do you write for everyone?  When did you start writing?

Since I was very young, around seven years old, I’d make up stories, write and illustrate them in old cut-up exercise books and I’d share them with my friends and family. I was the kid who always organised friends to put on ‘concerts’ for our families. I was also one of those kids who haunted my local library and saved up my pocket money to buy books, rather than spend it on lollies. Reality and life led me down the pathway of becoming a teacher, wife, mother and now Oma. But my slow burn passion is well and truly alive inside me and took over my life in 2007, when I stepped out of my rather comfortable ‘teaching’ boat, and I returned to university, after 21 years, to complete my post-graduate diploma in creative writing. My desire now is to perfect the craft of good quality writing and sharing stories to inspire, encourage and entertain children and adults. I write children’s picture books, poetry, short stories, middle grade, adult short stories and recently completed the first draft of an adult outback novel.

Can you describe how and when you write?
I try to write most days and begin around 4-4:30am. It is quiet and I am at my most creative then. I roll out of bed, tiptoe to my office and switch on my very bright desk lamp and begin. I often wonder if my neighbours see my light on at the same time every morning. During these early hours, I write. Once I am satisfied with what I have written I generally read, answer emails and try to get a little social media marketing updated for Shadytree Books.  I’m usually really ready for bed early in the evening, but that’s okay, I’m usually excited about what ideas will come to me the next morning.