Brocker, Susan
IN BRIEF
Susan Brocker writes fiction and non-fiction for both the educational and trade markets. She has published over 50 educational books spanning a range of topics, including the natural world, social history and animals. Brocker’s first novel was Restless Spirit, set in Waiouru, against the background of the fight to save the Kaimanawa horses. This was followed by Saving Sam in 2009, and Brave Bess and the ANZAC Horses in 2010.
ProfilePlace of residence: Tauranga |
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Brocker, Susan (1961 – ) writes fiction and non-fiction for both the educational and trade markets. She has worked in the writing and publishing industry since finishing her BA in History at the University of Waikato and in 1997 she became a full-time writer.
Brocker’s first publication, What am I? (1994), was published while she was an in-house writer and editor at Shortland Publications. She has published over 50 books in the educational market, that span a range of fictional and non-fiction topics, including the natural world, social history and animals.
Although she has written numerous children’s books for the educational market, Brocker says ‘my major achievement has been writing novels for older children about subjects close to my own heart, trying to bring history alive in them.'
Brocker’s first novel is Restless Spirit (HarperCollins, 2007), described as ‘an exciting adventure story with rich detail and a genuinely moving conclusion.’ (Magpies, Vol. 22 No. 2 May 2007 NZ, p.7). The story is set in Waiouru and is based on the fight to save wild Kaimanawa horses.
Brocker's second novel Saving Sam (HarperCollins, 2009) is the story of Ben, a troubled young teenager struggling to find his place in the world, and the damaged dog he befriends. NZ Herald calls it 'A gentle tale of learning to trust and love again that builds to a suspenseful finish', while the Wangnui Chronicle says 'This is by far the best book for young people I have read in a very long time... This book is hard to put down and still harder to forget.' Saving Sam was listed as a 2010 Storylines Notable Young Adult Fiction Book.
Brave Bess and the Anzac Horses (HarperCollins, 2010) is the true story of the sole surviving horse of over 10,000 that were taken to the battlefields during the First World War to serve mainly with the Mounted Rifles Brigade in the Middle East. Brave Bess and the ANZAC Horses was listed as a 2011 Storylines Notable Non Fiction Book.
Dreams of Warriors (HarperCollins, 2010) follows a determined teenage girl named Bella, who holds in her hands the fate of her family’s dreams. The Daily Post said of Dreams of Warriors ‘An entertaining and educational read for anyone over 9'. Dreams of Warriors was listed as a 2011 Storylines Notable Young Adult Fiction Book and was shortlisted for the 2011 Lianza Esther Glen Award.
Brocker’s novel The Wolf in the Wardrobe (HarperCollins, 2011) is an intriguing and quirky adventure story about a 13-year-old-boy who tries to rescue a wolf from the clutches of a crazy clown and keep her as his pet.
Brocker lives in Tauranga.
writers in schools information
KAPAI Kids' Authors' Pictures and Information
General
Where do you live?
I live just outside of Tauranga on a small farm.
What books do you read?
I read all sorts of books, but I guess my favourite ones are stories about people coping with extraordinary events in their lives. And stories about animals, of course!
Who is your favourite writer and why?
That is difficult to say, as I love so many. But when I was young one of my favourite books was The Snow Goose, by Paul Galico, so I guess he’d be one of my favourite writers. Oh, I also like Steven King’s scary stories.
How do you think up your ideas?
I watch the people and animals in my life and they inspire me. I also love history and that is absolutely full of amazing stories.
What is the best thing about being a writer?
My time is my own, just to daydream and escape into different worlds.
Primary School Students
What sort of pets do you have?
We live on a small farm so we have lots of pets. I have a lovely long-haired German Shepherd dog named Yogi, he’s a real character (he looks like a big wolf). I also have a very tall chestnut horse called Barney, not to mention pussy cats, fluffy goats, chickens and a pet cow called Bubbles who has a cute calf each year.
What is your favourite colour?
When I was young, it was bright red, now it’s faded to burgundy.
What is your favourite food- why?
I love hot Indian food and spicy Thai food because it makes me stop and think about what I’m eating...yummy taste, burning sensation!
What is your favourite movie?
That would have to be The Shawhsank Redemption, based on a Stephen King short story, very scary and very moving at the same time. Followed a close second by The Black Stallion; the cinematography in that is simply beautiful.
What is your favourite game?
Scrabble; I love playing with words.
How do you make books?
I make them from deep inside my head with ideas that well up like a spring and need to flow out.
Where do you go for your holidays?
Many different places. I love travelling and seeing the world, but I also love New Zealand and exploring its nooks and crannies. I’d like to go to South Africa one day to see the wild animals in the game parks.
What was the naughtiest thing you ever did at school?
Now that would be telling! You may need to ask one of my teachers that question, and since most of them aren’t around any longer that could be tricky. You will just have to guess....
Secondary School Students
How did you get started?
I loved writing as soon as I could read. I just started writing for fun, and sometimes I enjoyed writing scary stories to frighten my friends.
Who inspired you when you were getting started?
I think one of my earliest inspirations was Walt Disney. I loved the stories on Disneyland and then my Nana gave me a set of Walt Disney books and I couldn’t put them down. Later on, it was a brilliant English teacher I had who supported and encouraged me.
What advice would you give an aspiring young writer?
Simply write! Write whatever comes into your head and whatever inspires you, and don’t worry about what people think about it. Just write from your heart and because you need to.
Is it difficult to make a living writing in New Zealand?
Yes, I must admit it is. But I’m lucky as I supplement my creative writing with educational writing so I’m at least able to work in the field of writing full time.
What were you like as a teenager? Tell us a story!
I was a bit of a renegade I guess, and never really felt like I fitted in. I had lots of friends yet I was lonely at the same time, if that makes any sense. A story....well....I remember water-bombing my head principal, never really meaning to hit her, but the water bomb landed exactly on her head... from a fifth story window, so the water really did explode! I got into a lot of trouble for that one.
Media links and clips
- Susan Brocker on Harper Collins site
- Christchurch City Libraries Interview with Susan Brocker
- Susan Brocker’s Kiwi Write 4 Kids Biography
- Susan Brocker’s website
