New Zealand Writers

DAWE, Ted

Doesn’t so much speak the language of teenagers as takes hold of it and turn it into something new, a kind of poetry of the street.

KAPAI: Kid's read about Ted here

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.

Ted Dawe lives in Auckland and participates in the Book Council Writers in School programme.

LK

Updated Information

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.

Dawe's 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.

KAPAI: Kids' Authors' Pictures and Information

Some Questions for Ted Dawe

General Questions

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.

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 five 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….