New Zealand Writers
ROBERTSON, Alison
Funny and generous Robertson succeeds at attracting the often reluctant reader - boys.
ROBERTSON, Alison (1958 - ) writes fiction for children. Her first book Knocked For Six was published in 2001 after having won the Tom Fitzgibbon Award 2000.Robertson was born and raised in Napier. She received a Diploma in Journalism from the Wellington Polytechnic (1976). She later received a Certificate in Writing (1998) and a Diploma in Applied Arts (2001) from Whitireia Polytechnic.
Professionally Roberston worked as a sports reporter for Radio New Zealand until 1986 when she became a freelance writer. Before publishing Knocked For Six Roberston published Connecting Cultures (1999) and Know You’re Talking (2000) for the ESOL Home Tutor Scheme.
Magpies New Zealand found Knocked For Six "an ambitious novel[that] touches on some serious family issues but always remembers to spice the plot with a little humour". Jill Holt in the New Zealand Listener comments that the novel is as "sparky" as it is "clever and amusing at several levels".
Robertson currently lives and works in Hamilton.
(L.K.)
Updated Information
Alison Robertson's latest novel for young adults is Finding Isabella (Scholastic, 2005).
Alison Robertson is available to talk to intermediate and secondary students. She is prepared to discuss anythign to do with writing fiction, non-fiction, news and P.R. writing. Alison will run workshops by prior arrangement, and is prepared to travel out of town for Writers in Schools visits.
KIDS AUTHORS PICTURES AND INFORMATION
Questions for Alison Robertson
Where do you live?
Hamilton, but I took a long time to get here.
What sort of books do you like to read?
Mostly children’s book – for pleasure and to learn.
Do you have a favourite author?
Louis Sacher is brilliant. Kate de Goldi is impressive too. I like Fleur Beale and Sherryl Jordon and lately I’ve been enjoying Robert Cornier and Sharon Creech.
How do you think up your ideas?
I eavesdrop. My ears are constantly flapping. I also think of something small and say ‘what would happen?’
What is the best thing about being an author?
I say reading is working and I can do a lot of it. But the best think is when people come up to me and say they enjoyed my book.
Some Questions for Primary Schools
Do you have any pets?
None, but I’d like a dog, either a Border Collie or a Westie.
What is your favourite colour?
Blue
What is your favourite food?
Cinnamon oysters (you just can’t have one) and raw tomato on Vogels.
Do you have a favourite movie?
Koya was a wonderful movie.
Do you play any games?
Trivial Pursuits is fun, but we always end up fighting.
What is the most fun thing about being an author?
Visiting schools – and that’s the truth.
Where do you like to go for your holidays?
The Marlborough Sounds is one of my favourite places in the world. I also really like Whitianga, Taupo.
What was the naughtiest thing you ever did at school?
I can’t tell you that.
Some Questions for Secondary School
How did you get started as a writer?
My friend and I wrote an opera when we were at Intermediate and performed all the parts on a tiny tape recorder. It was terrible. I studied journalism and worked in radio for a long time. In 1998 I went to Whitireia Polytechnic to learn more about writing fiction.
Who inspired you when you were getting stated?
I had wonderful tutors at Whitireia Polytechnic, in particular Adrienne Jansen.
What advice would you give someone who wanted to be a writer?
Read, read and then read some more. Write, write and write some more.
Is it hard to make a living as a writer in New Zealand?
If you can get good paying writing jobs, like freelance writing for journals and magazines, then you can make a reasonable living. Or if you are a prolific and popular fiction writer!
What were you like as a teenage?
Probably quite horrible. Talked too much, at school, on the phone, anywhere anytime. I always read a lot, loved going to plays and to the beach. I should’ve worked harder!
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