New Zealand Writers
MENEFY, Diana
Her dedication to accurate detail is formidable.
MENEFY, Diana (1947 - ) is a writer of fiction and non-fiction for children and adults. Her dedication to accurate detail is formidable: an article on hydrographic surveying she wrote for New Zealand Geographic magazine was later reprinted by the New Zealand Navy.Her titles for adults include four historical studies: Hukerenui... in the beginning (1989); Kamo: The Story of a Village (1994); You Shall Be My People (1997); and Bream Bay Club: Twenty Five Years (1996). Kamo: The Story of a Village is described as "a splendid addition to the growing documentation of Northland's history."
Her guide to greenstone, Pounamu: New Zealand Jade (1995) has been translated into Japanese. A reviewer describes it as "a concise and very readable book covering all aspects of New Zealand jade from the chemical composition of nephrite, Maori mythology and traditional designs, through to the intricacy of modern design and carving."
Diana Menefy's children's stories have appeared in the School Journal, Hoofprint Magazine, and the (now defunct) children's section of the NZ Listener. She has also published short stories for adults.
River Crossing (2001) tells the story of twelve year old Josh, whose life is changed forever when his best friend is killed in an accident. Josh has to spend the summer on his aunt and uncle's farm, where his cousin Brian is less than welcoming. When a flood sweeps through the farm, Josh has to come to his cousin's rescue.
(KC.)
Updated Information
Whangarei Hospital: A Century of Service 1901-2001 (2001) records the history of the people who worked there, Maori health issues, the progress of medicine and what the hospital has meant to the community around it.
Writers in Schools
Diana Menefy is available to speak to school students of all ages as part of the Writers in Schools programme. She is happy to discuss anything with the group except for poetry and plays. Her preferred class size is 30-70 students. She is prepared to run workshops with smaller groups by arrangement.
KAPAIKIDS AUTHORS PICTURES AND INFORMATION
Questions For Diana Menefy
Where do you live?
I live in a small farming valley, called Tapuhi, which lies between the Ruapekapeka and Puhipuhi ranges about forty-five minutes north-east of Whangarei in Northland.
What kinds of books do you like to read?
I read heaps of books, all sorts: children’s, nonfiction, fiction (mystery novels, family sagas, classics, anything that takes my fancy).
Do you have a favourite author?
My favourite author is Rosamunde Pilcher for adults and Sherryl Jordon for children. I had to think hard about this because I have so many favourite authors and to single one out was almost impossible.
Where do you get your ideas?
My ideas come from things I observe, experience and feel. Then I twist them around and say ‘what if?’ Sometimes an idea just comes in a flash of inspiration.
What is the best thing about being an author?
The best thing about being an author is having someone read your work and enjoy it.
Special Questions for Primary Schools
Do you have any pets?
I have one cat ‘Squeak’, three dogs ‘Buckweed’ ‘Meg’ ‘Sam’, and a variety of birds.
Do you have a favourite colour?
Sunshine yellow
A favourite food?
Homemade chocolate ice cream with big lumps of chocolate in it.
Do you have a favourite movie?
Movie is ‘Out of Africa’
Do you play any games?
Game is ‘Scrabble’
What is the best thing about being an author?
The most fun thing about being an author is ‘the writing’ I love working with words.
How do you make a book?
I make books by getting an idea and building on it until it grows big enough for a book.
Where do you like to go for your holidays?
For my holidays I usually go to visit my family, but sometimes I go overseas to visit a new place.
What was the naughtiest thing you ever did at school?
The naughtiest thing I ever did at school was flicking paper pellets at the boys (using a rubber band) I was a good shot and only got caught once – detention after school picking up rubbish from the playground.
Questions for Secondary School Students
How did you get started as a writer?
I’d always had a secret ambition to be like ‘Jo’ in ‘Little Women’. Then one year when my kids were all at school I wrote three short stories and they were all published. After that I decided I’d better learn something about writing and did a correspondence course – it took me four years and side tracked me into journalism. I spent a further five years writing features part-time for our local paper before giving up to write non-fiction books full-time. I was still writing a little bit of fiction during all this time, but am now concentrating on writing fiction for children.
Who inspired you when you were starting out?
I was inspired by Fiona Kidman, E.V. Sale and Samuel Charles Farr my great-great-great grandfather who wrote copious letters to the newspaper (he enjoyed a good argument) and a chapter of ‘Canterbury Old ∓mp; New’ for its 50th jubilee.
What advice would you give a writer who was just starting out?
I’d advise an aspiring writer to read heaps, write every day and keep on trying to improve your skills in as many genre as you can. Never give up.
Is it hard to make a living as a writer in New Zealand?
Yes. To do so you need to be prepared to write as many different things as you can, both nonfiction and fiction.
What were you like as a teenager?
As a teenager I was painfully shy and unsure of myself, not very brave, but I had a great imagination and was an avid reader. I loved the wide open spaces, rivers and the mountains of Canterbury and couldn’t imagine being happy anywhere else.
Are there any other stories you’d like to tell us?
During my first year of nursing, when I was seventeen, I hopped off a bus at the wrong bridge over the Waimakarari River in the middle of nowhere. My parents and siblings were camping upstream and were meant to meet me at the bridge. The bus took off and there I was in my brown raincoat, brown high heels holding my suitcase. No one came. I eventually realised what had happened and started walking. There was very little traffic in the middle of the day and I was in tears, hobbling on a broken heel, by the time a car came along and offered me a ride. Ever since then I’ve been very careful to get off at the right place.
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