New Zealand Writers
GILL, Maria
Children’s writer with a strong interest in conservation
KAPAI - Kids read more about Maria here
GILL, Maria (1961– ) writes books for children and adults that draw on her interest in birds and conservation.
Born in Auckland, Gill’s family immigrated to Australia when she was in her teens to tour Australia in a caravan. She is widely travelled and uses her experiences as inspiration for her writing. She works as a relief primary school teacher in Northland.
Bird’s-eye View: Through the Eyes of New Zealand Birds (Penguin, 2006) reveals how thirteen New Zealand birds see their natural habitat. It uses photographs and latest avian-vision research and offers children a new perpective on the way birds live. Bird’s-eye View was shortlisted for the LIANZA awards and selected as one of the top ten non-fiction children’s books for 2006 by the New Zealand Children’s Literature Foundation
Gill’s first book Homework Powerpack (Zenith, 2005) is a handbook for parents that gives an overview of the education system in all curriculum areas at the Primary level.
Two short stories for adults were published in the Cats and Jaws Anthology (Random, 2004) edited by Barbara Else.
(KM)
Updated Information
Operation Nest Egg: Saving New Zealand's Kiwi (2007: Reed Publishing) examines the important work Operation Nest Egg plays in preserving New Zealand’s national icon, she explains why and how Operation Nest Egg came into being and the roles different institutions play in the Operation Nest Egg programme. The book contains information about the different species of kiwi, kiwi centres, island and mainland crèches, predators and pests of kiwi and what methodologies are being used to lessen or eradicate those threats. It also includes where you can see kiwi and how children can be involved in the programme..
Dogs on the Job (Puffin, 2008), Gill interviews dog handlers and observes dogs on the job in this engaging and fun-filled non-fiction book for children. Meet an acting dog going through the moves in an advertisement. See a mobility dog picking up the keys for his handler in a wheelchair. Find the search and rescue dog that can trail scents 12 hours old. Marvel at the therapy dog that triggers the memory of a rest home elderly lady who cannot remember her own daughter.
Three educational books for children: Volcanoes, Under Our Feet, Amazing Water being published by South Pacific Press (2009) and distributed throughout the United States. Coming in May 2009 a picture book titled ‘Rangitoto’ published by Puffin, in June 2009 a non-fiction picture book called ‘Save Our Seas’ and in August 2009 ‘Eco-Rangers mission: Save the Planet, both published by New Holland
Writers in Schools
Maria Gill is available to speak to school children aged 5-13 years, as well as high school classes as part of the Writers in Schools programme. She is happy to give talks on conservation of birds and marine life, animal welfare, working dogs, volcanoes, saving the planet and Operation Nest Egg. She is prepared to speak to groups of any size for younger children, but would prefer to limit the sessions to class-size only for high school students. She is prepared to run writing workshops by arrangement.
KIDS AUTHORS QUESTIONS AND INFORMATION
Where do you live?
Matakana, Warkworth (one hour north of Auckland).
What books do you read?
Science fiction, fantasy and adventure novels, nature books, picture books.
Who is your favourite writer?
Margaret Mahy for picture books; Anne McCaffrey for science fiction; Eoin Colfer for fantasy (and humour); Rod Morris and Neville Peat for nature books; Gerald Durrell for books about conservation.
How do you think up your ideas?
Often when I am driving on a long straight road a thought will pop into my head or I’ll see something that will trigger an idea or my curiosity.
What is the best thing about being a writer?
Meeting fascinating authors and interesting conservationists. Also, I love to read stories to children.
Primary School Students
What sort of pets do you have?
5 ducks, 5 sheep, dozens of chickens and one rooster, 1 cat and 2 guinea fowl. Plus, I can’t leave out the greedy wild ducks and pukekos who steal our pet ducks’ food.
What is your favourite colour?
Green/blue (the colours of bush and the sea).
What is your favourite food?
Ice cream, Italian and Thai food.
What is your favourite movie?
Chitty, Chitty, Bang, Bang when I was young. Billy and Chicago – because I love dance movies.
What is your favourite game?
Cluedo.
What is the most fun thing about being an author?
Writing about gorgeous animals and birds.
How do you make books?
Usually I start with a theme or idea. I collect notes and do lots of research. I’ll interview people and then go over all my notes to see if I have a pattern. Then I’ll set up a template (form) on the computer to order my information. I leave spaces for photography and illustrations because I like to picture how the book could look as a finished product. I spend months editing the manuscript and get feedback from my critique group. Once I am happy with it I send a copy (with photographs and all laid out) to a publisher.
What was the naughtiest thing you ever did at school?
In my last year at Southport State High School on the Gold Coast in Australia, friends and I would wag (miss) school – usually sports. We used to play softball all summer and I hated being bitten by the big ants and standing under the scorching sun. When the school changed the programme to include learning how to surf, sail, bowl etc. I didn’t miss a lesson.
Secondary School Students
How did you get started?
Once my daughter turned three and became more independent I began a children’s writing course by correspondence. After that I joined a writing group, but what I really wanted was a children’s writing group and there were none available in Auckland. In 2003, I began a group called Kiwi Write4Kidz with some writing friends. It is a group just for people who write stories for kids. We’ve arranged for some wonderful authors to come and talk to us. For example we’ve had Margaret Mahy, David Hill, John Marsden and Kate de Goldi for weekend workshops. We’ve also arranged for authors to talk in the evenings such as Gavin Bishop, Paul Jennings, Brian Falkner, Pamela Allen, Jennifer Beck, Sarah Ell…
Who inspired you when you were getting started?
Hearing those talented writers talking about their early experiences and giving us tips on how to improve our writing.
What advice would you give an aspiring young writer?
That you most probably need to serve out your apprenticeship by reading and writing most days, going on courses, hearing authors talk and learning from your mistakes for several years before you might get your first break. If you are dedicated and passionate about writing you will make it.
Is it difficult to make a living writing in New Zealand?
Absolutely! Until your books have sold internationally and you have a best seller don't ‘give up the day job’ or you need to diversify what you do. I’ve chosen the latter. I relief teach at my children’s school and write freelance articles for magazines and educational journals.
What were you like as a teenager?
Because we moved a lot (especially when we lived in a caravan travelling around Australia) I was a little bit shy. When I got over my shyness I made friends easily with all types of people. It also made me very adaptable to new situations. I was always very determined and passionate about things that mattered to me.
Is there anything else you could tell students about yourself?
My family were a bit like gypsies. We travelled around Australia in a caravan for about three years. It is a bit cramped living in a caravan and being a teenager, I needed my escape. I achieved that by reading and writing. With no friends or television with us on our trip to amuse me – the environment was my muse. The Australian outback has plenty to offer; snakes, scary spiders and reptiles. My imagination couldn’t have asked for more. We also had lots of adventure: like fossicking for gem stones in places that four wheel drive cars could only access, swimming in rivers that unbeknown to us contained crocodiles, meeting miners who drank turps and stopping to fish at any bit of water that had not dried up under the harsh Australian sun. Those are memories that have not only given me plenty of fodder for stories but also began my passion for writing about animals.
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