Corlett, Shirley
IN BRIEF
Shirley Corlett is a fiction writer who has published books for adults and children. Her first novel, The Hanging Sky (1990), is a wide-ranging historical story. Her second book, The Stolen (2000), is a fantasy journey for young readers, and it won the Tom Fitzgibbon Award for a best first novel for children in 1999. She was joint Writer in Residence at Dunedin College of Education in 2005. Shirley Corlett is available to talk to students over seven years old as part of the Writers in Schools programme.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Corlett, Shirley (1940 –) is a fiction writer whose first published novel came to light only after some undercover encouragement from her mother.
Corlett's epic historical novel The Hanging Sky (1990) was a 400,000 word manuscript sitting in a desk drawer when some gentle prodding from the author's mother convinced her to send it to publishers Mallinson Rendel.
‘We were instantly excited,’ says publisher Ann Mallinson. ‘It's a vast undertaking. It's absolutely unique. It's never been done in New Zealand before, at least not in our experience.’
The novel — reduced by editing to a more manageable 250,000 words or 500 pages — is a sprawling historical story that takes the reader from the first Maori habitation to the present day.
Corlett's second book is a fantasy journey for young readers. The Stolen (2000) won the Tom Fitzgibbon Award for a best first novel for children in 1999. The story follows three friends who try to reunite two parted lovers lost in one of many mysterious afterworlds.
‘[A] thought-provoking, adrenaline-pumping ghost story with a difference ...’ writes Magpies. ‘A compelling read.’
'Shirley Corlett's latest book, The Weather-Makers (2001), combines elements of both pure fantasy and science fantasy,’ writes Lorraine Orman in Well Read.
'The story moves fast, has an authentic teenage tone, and is an easy read.' The Weather-Makers was shortlisted in the Junior Fiction category for the 2002 New Zealand Post Children's Book Awards.
My Story: Abandon Ship! The Diary of Debbie Atherton, Wellington, 1968 was published in 2003 and explores the sinking of the Wahine, a ferry that sank in Wellington harbour on April 10, 1968.
Shirley Corlett's book You've Got Guts, Kenny Melrose was released in 2004. Sometimes it seems as though the whole world is against Kenny and his sister Charlotte. Rescued from an orphanage by kind relatives, it looks as if they might finally get the normal life they have longed for. Then their late father's mysterious past catches up with them - yet again. Kenny is falsely accused of theft and finds himself caught up in a web of secrets. It will take guts to find the answer and for Kenny to prove his innocence.
You've Got Guts, Kenny Melrose was a finalist in the Junior Fiction Category of the New Zealand Post Book Awards for Children and Young Adults 2005.
Shirley Corlett was the joint Writer in Residence at Dunedin College of Education with Margaret Beames in 2005.
Through Thick and Thin (2006) was published by Scholastic.
Fire in the Sky: The Diary of James Collier, Tarawera, 1886, (Scholastic, 2006) explores the eruption of Mt Tarawera on June 10, 1886.
Corlett also has a story published in the Short Short Story Anthology, Home, called 'Mother of Pearl Trails'.
In the Spotlight (Gilt Edge Publishing, 2008) centers on Ada, who knows she has what it takes to be the star of the stage. But as a new apprentice for a comic opera company in which only children are the actors, she has to start from the bottom — in the chorus. With loads of ambition and streak of mischief, she’s determined not to stay there for long. This historical novel was inspired by the real story of a comic opera company that toured NZ and Australia in the late 18th and early 20th centuries.
writers in schools information
Corlett is available to talk to students over the age of seven. She is happy to talk about being a storyteller, a teen fiction writer, and a novelist/adult fiction writer. She can give an introduction and talk, a storytelling session, a performance with props, and a creative writing workshop. She would prefer to speak to classes of less than 20 students but she is able to speak to larger groups. She is prepared to travel out of town for visits. Please continue down the page to see Corlett’s answers to a list of questions provided by school students:
KAPAI: Kids' Authors Pictures and Information
Where do you live?
Masterton
What books to you read?
All sorts. Children’s, young adults, adult historical, contemporary, fantasy, and science fiction. (Especially NZ authors).
Who is your favourite author?
Read so many I have no special favourite.
How do you think up your ideas?
By being interested in, and curious about what makes us human beings tick. By listening to and watching people. And most of all by always thinking - WHAT IF?
What is the best thing about being an author?
Being able to start work each day never knowing where my imagination is going to lead me. Never being bored. I have my own world inside my head all the time. When someone tells me they have enjoyed something I've written
Questions from Primary school students
What sort of pets do you have?
Feed the wild birds. Have always had cats and dogs. We have a persian cat called Hymie.
In 2002, we had to have our little dog Annie put to sleep. She was in her seventeenth year. My family miss her very very much. One day will get another dog but not yet as Annies memory is still too close.
What is your favourite colour?
Emerald green
Your favourite food?
Salads, new potatoes and lightly cooked vegetables. Fresh fruit and hokey pokey ice-cream.
Do you have a favourite movie?
Lord of the Rings.
A sport or games?
Tennis and cricket
What is the most fun thing about being an author?
Going to schools and talking to children. Telling stories to children, making them laugh.
Its fun to make up silly stories for my own family.
How do you make books?
Work hard. Love what you're doing.
Where do you go for your holidays?
To the beach mostly. Sometimes visit other countries.
What was the naughtiest thing you ever did at school?
Ran all the way to school so Id get asthma and wouldn't have to do square dancing. I didn't like the boy who was my partner.
(Wished Id been nicer to him now, as this boy was killed in a car accident when he was 16.)
Some special questions from Secondary school students
How did you get started?
Ever since I was a little child I have wanted to write.
Who inspired you when you were getting started?
No one. The urge to write came from my heart.
What advice would you give an aspiring young writer?
Having confidence in yourself is very important. It took me many years to get published. I come from a non-literary family and my urge to write was seen as a hobby only. It was never considered possible that I could be successful. Because of this attitude I had no confidence at all.
So no matter what the circumstances, if you want to write - Be confident and determined. Never give up. Make writing the most important thing in your life.
Read lots.
Is it difficult to make a living writing in New Zealand?
Yes. But like most things in life if you want something badly enough you have to love what you're doing, be fully focused and work hard at it.
What were you like as a teenager?
Rather moody. Thought I knew everything. Angry at times with my parents and adults in general. (Loved my parents though)
I loved sport, especially tennis. Wasn't too keen on being in a classroom. Rather be on a tennis court or on my own somewhere, writing.
Is there a story you could tell us? Something quirky?
I was once in town in big hurry. My car was parked in a car park. I jumped in - and backed straight into a car parked behind me, doing quite a bit of damage to both vehicles.
That was bad enough — but guess what? My car and the other one were the only two cars in the whole car park!
Media links and clips
- Corlett is featured in the 2001 Spring issue of BRAT: Books for Readers and Teachers
