New Zealand Writers
BAGNALL, Alan
Committed to making reading accessible and enjoyable.
BAGNALL, Alan (1940-) writes poems and stories for children.Bagnall has worked as a primary school teacher. For over twenty years he has contributed to Learning Media Publications including both the School Journal and the Ready to Read series. His poetry was included in 100 New Zealand Poems for Children (1999).
His first collection I’m a Big Bag of Bones and Other Poems was published in 1990, and was followed by The Immigrants (2002).
Alan Bagnall lives in Wellington and is available as part of the Writers in Schools programme.
(LK)
Updated Information
The Immigrants (2002) by Alan Bagnall with illustrations by Sarah Wilkins was shortlisted for the New Zealand Post Children's Book Awards 2003. It also won the 2003 LIANZA Russell Clark Award.
Writers in Schools Information
Alan Bagnall is a primary teacher, so would prefer to visit with children of that age group. He is happy to discuss poetry and stories.
KIDS' AUTHORS' PICTURES AND INFORMATION
Some Questions for Alan Bagnall
Where do you live?
At Mahina Bay, in the bush and by the sea.
What sorts of books do you like to read?
All sorts. I’m at the library every week.
Who is your favourite author?
Anonymous. My favourite stories are the really old fairy tales.
How do you think up your ideas?
By listening and watching. Then getting really involved with imaginary characters.
What is the best thing about being an author?
Sharing wild ideas.
Some Questions from Primary School Students
What sort of pets do you have?
Six hives of honeybees, four laying hens and one ginger cat.
What is the most fun thing about being an author?
That friends and children know I like stories.
How do you make books?
Everyone can. Most of my stories are written and illustrated with exercise books and stapled them together. They will never be published but are great fun to share.
Where do you like to go for your holidays?
Tramping in the hills.
What was the naughtiest thing you ever did at school?
I’m not telling.
Some Questions from Secondary School Students
How did you get started?
In the 1970s, before ‘Reading Recovery’, there were many 9-10 year olds who weren’t reading. So I was trying to write short fun poems and stories to get them interested.
Who inspired you when you were getting started?
All the other School Journal writers – I could even tell some long Margaret Mahy stories by heart!
What advice would you give an aspiring young writer?
Write the sort of pieces that you and your friends would like to hear. Don’t be put off by anything!
Is it difficult to make a living writing in New Zealand?
There is a huge interest in books in New Zealand, but for me, I wouldn’t want the pressure of relying on writing for a living. For me the writing has to be fun.
What were you like as a teenager?
I was shy but active. I most enjoyed living and working on a farm.
Is there anything else you would like to tell us about yourself?
I owe everything to the School Journal editors. I sent stories to Brent Southgate for years and years before he accepted any for publication. The stories were always returned with positive criticism. The editors still see this as a major part of their task - helping new writers.
The other thing is that one group of children and I kept a story going for 7 years. Some of those kids (now parents themselves) have still got their ‘Teddy & Gringle’ stories! We each wrote, illustrated and shared our own versions and editions.
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