Dawe, Ted
IN BRIEF
Born and raised in Mangakino, Ted Dawe writes fiction for young adults. With a few early exceptions, Dawe has spent most of his working life as an English teacher and Head of Department. As a writer he makes ‘a concerted effort to avoid moralising and finger wagging,’ and his first novel Thunder Road won both the Young Adult Fiction section and the Best First Book award at the 2004 New Zealand Post Book Awards for Children & Young Adults.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dawe, Ted (1950 -) writes fiction for young adults.
Ted Dawe was born and raised in Mangakino. Dawe has lived in most parts of New Zealand, as well as in London and Sydney. With a few early exceptions, Dawe has spent most of his working life as an English teacher and Head of Department.
Dawe’s first novel Thunder Road (2003) was, according to the author, written in 40 days, one summer. David Larsen, in the New Zealand Herald, writes that ‘a combination of fast-paced plotting and terse, punchy prose should guarantee this [novel] a substantial adult readership, but its real appeal will be to teenagers.’ Larsen also writes that the novel is ‘a strikingly impressive debut.’
Dawe describes his own book as ‘plot driven stories that aim to give the young adult reader all the rewards that adult readers get from a well written book, with a concerted effort to avoid moralising and finger wagging.’
Dawe’s earlier publications include contributions to Education Department Publications and as an editor of Telling it True: A Collection of Student Writing.
Thunder Road won both the Young Adult Fiction section and the Best First Book award at the New Zealand Post Book Awards for Children & Young Adults 2004.
Dawes second novel for young adults is K Road (Longacre Press, 2005).
And did those feet... (Longacre, 2006), a novel for young adults, is about a teenager sent to stay at his aunt and uncle's Taranaki farm after the death of his mother.
writers in schools information
KAPAI: Kids' Authors' Pictures and Information
Where do you live?
In Mt Eden (over the road from my 6 year old son’s school.)
What sorts of books do you like to read?
American crime stories.
Who is your favourite author?
Elmore Leonard
Where do you get your ideas?
I plunder episodes from my childhood and adolescence.
What is the best thing about being an author?
Being able to make something from nothing.
Some Questions from Primary School Students
Do you have any pets?
A cat called Scooter.
Do you have a favourite colour?
Red
Do you have a favourite food?
Fish
Do you have a favourite movie?
The Wizard of Oz
Do you play any sports or games?
Tennis
What is the most fun thing about being an author?
Putting characters in tight spots and seeing how they cope.
How do you make books?
You start with the desire. You think of a plan. You find the characters. You pick up a pen.
Where do you like to go for your holidays?
Whangarei Heads
What was the naughtiest thing you ever did at school?
I told lies.
Some Questions from Secondary School Students
How did you get started?
By writing plays for my students at Aorere College.
Who inspired you when you were getting started?
F. Scott Fitzgerald
What advice would you give an aspiring young writer?
‘Screw your courage to the sticking place.’
Is it difficult to make a living writing in New Zealand?
Almost impossible.
What were you like as a teenager?
Cheeky. Noisy. Lazy. Confused. Shy. I was no good at school. I never made good sports teams, awards for academic achievement or positions of leadership. For me, school was one long session at the dentist.
Is there anything else you would like to tell us about yourself?
I had ring worm as a 6-year-old and had to have all my hair shaved off.
I broke my elbow at 8 playing cops and robbers, and was in hospital for a week and lost a stone (6kgs).
I got bashed up by my girlfriend’s big sister for reclaiming an engagement ring - I was 6 at the time.
I once bunked school, caught a train to Christchurch and spent the day in the movies watching three double features back to back.
I could go on all day…
