World At Her Feet

/ Glen Donaldson

Meeting a literary soulseeker who not only runs rings around you in the beautiful words department but happens to be forty years your junior had me recently trying to gather my dignity around me like a loosely fitted robe.

The occasion was a completely memorable red carpet book launch at my local library. Eleven year old Brisbane author Georgia Bowditch – who it can be reported wields her magic writing stick like Steve Smith is now once again wielding his cricket bat – that is to say with scene-stealing power, finesse and mad skill – was signing copies of her 40 000 plus word debut novel WOLFHEART – Moonlight’s Prophecy.

She agreed to speak to SCENIC WRITER’S SHACK. In return SWS agreed to grab the opportunity with both hands. With talent and an unmistakably severe intelligence like hers, it won’t be long before Georgia is showcasing the fruits of her imagination on much grander literary stages than this one.

And then the moment arrives…

A person from the publicity department appears and announces our author is finally about to make an appearance. All conversation stops and the orchestra (someone’s mobile ringtone HERE) begins to play. Every eye is directed to the top of the stairs.“Ladies and Gentlemen…. Georgia Bowditch”.

Wonderful to meet you Georgia. Can we begin with you letting us know what your new novel is about?

Moonlight and Wildfire are the alpha’s of a group of wolves called Spirit Pack. Without giving away spoilers, these two wolves must seize the reins of the group when an ominous and mystery-shrouded danger threatens to tear the pack apart.

Use four adjectives to describe how it feels to have earned the title ‘published novelist’ at the age of just eleven.

Surprising – strange – cool – stressful (people expect the next book).

Tell us a little about your public book launch and signing session held at Inala library.

I sat on a chair and answered some questions about my book and signed them.

Apart from inspired plotting and flowing prose, WOLFHEART: MOONLIGHT’S PROPHECY showcases your flair for dramatic and natural sounding dialogue.

“You thought I was nothing! Just like they did! Well you’re wrong. And I didn’t get to introduce myself before. I’m Luna. Pleasure to kill you.”

“You wouldn’t kill a goddess!” Ki whimpered, her two tails wavering.

“You’re not a goddess, and I would,” Lana growled. “I have my reasons.”

“I don’t see any reasons”, Hail murmured, “at all”. (p50)

Were you taught how to have characters exchange words in that climactic way or does it somehow just come naturally to you?

I have not had training for writing, but have done some drama classes.

** Editor’s note: Georgia has just recently gained entry into a author’s mentoring program run by the Australian Writer’s Centre. Way to go Georgia!

Did you do any research into wolves and wolf packs for the writing of the book?

Yes, to learn about how they live and communicate.

** Editor’s note: After having devoured the first half of the book myself, I can attest to the extent that literally every syllable of this heart-stoppingly authentic narrative is imbued – subtly and skillfully – with no less than a zoologist’s knowledge of wolves: from the way they move, forage, interact and stalk prey to the means by which hierarchical social orders are maintained and ownership of territory is asserted. And it’s all done not in an overbearing, information-dump sort-of-way but in a manner which compels the reader to go along for the ride and intuit “This feels real’.

There’s an old adage that books are not written they are re-written – meaning authors may go through many drafts of a sentence, paragraph or chapter before they are satisfied they have the right words. What was the editing process like for you?

For me it was exactly the same. I changed many words and many character names when I wrote the book.

Who are some of your favorite authors?

Erin Hunter and Kathryn Lasky

Any plans for a follow-up to WOLFHEART: MOONLIGHT’S PROPHECY?

Yes, I am currently testing writing pieces for book number two.

When you Google your own name now what do you find?

The first thing I see is WOLFHEART, but I still see a few people who have the same name.

Have you ever heard of a movie, from ancient times, called DANCES WITH WOLVES?

Can’t say I have.

Georgia, would you be up for some...

Please…

Do you have a nickname?

Not really.

** Editors note – How does ‘The Girl Who Cried Wolf‘ or just plain ‘Wolfie’ grab you? Ok you’re right. They probably wouldn’t grab me much either Georgia.

Name one thing you learnt in the last week.

I learned that Moon Bears exist.

How do you feel about putting pineapple on Pizza?

Don’t like it.

What’s your star sign?

Taurus

** Editor’s Note: Good news Georgia! A little research on my part came up with the following about what amazing writers Taurians make –

 TAURUS (April 20 – May 20)
You’ve been jotting down your thoughts since you were a small child; you’ve always loved poetry, fiction, and you’ve even dreamed of doing it professionally. Good thing for you because you happen to be very good at it.

You take your life’s experience and translate it into words effortlessly. You’re a natural storyteller and you are always able to wow people with your written expression. Hey, with William Shakespeare as one of your own, you come well represented!

Go HERE to get the complete astrological breakdown on which star signs make the best writers.

You are now Queen of your own country. What’s its name and where is it?

SPAGHETTI-LAND – on Earth.

Do you like your own handwriting? (And permit me to add, in all modesty Georgia, I’ve seen the complete gamut of children’s written script – from apparitions of mangled letter fragments that look like a chicken’s feet dipped in ink ran randomly across the page to motley sentence mishmashes that more resemble rare-dialect ancient hieroglyphics).

Sort of.

Last board game you played?

Chess.

On Sundays I like to…

Create animations.

What’s your spy name?

Agent Fish.

Favorite ice-cream flavor?

Vanilla.

Time suddenly slowed and with a puff of vanilla essence… she was gone. Georgia Bowditch had left the building – on a date with destiny and her next great writing adventure.

I removed my elbows from the table and sat a little straighter. In those brief moments, I’d met a young story weaver whose fantasy worlds are conjured faster than the weeds grow in my garden. In my midst was someone preparing to take on the world one magnificently-worded and intricately-plotted story at a time. Three huge fan cheers for you Georgia!

Ps. From a young imagination just setting out to a person at the other end of their writing journey…

American author Toni Morrison was a true colossus of the literary world. The author of eleven full length novels, she won the famed Pulitzer Prize in 1988. Five years later she was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature.

Among many other positions and accolades, she occupied the chair of Professor Emeritus at Princeton University. During her lifetime she also penned two plays, four non-fiction books, five children’s books, numerous essays and worked as an editor on a great many other publications. She passed away last week at the age of 88.

60 thoughts on “World At Her Feet”

  1. What an experience to speak with such a young very talented author – wonder what she’ll be doing as an adult writer – and you can say ‘I interviewed her when she was 11 yrs, of age’. I’m sure you will be following her writing career.

    ‘

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  2. The potential of youth is indeed like the greatest mystery novel ever written. You can never be quite certain exactly where a person is going to end up in their adult life. Though I’ve got to think that prodigious writing ability is something that wouldn’t just die and shrivel up once a person has emerged from their youth.

    It’s almost scary to think how good someone like Georgia could get if they combine natural talent with training. This is exactly what Georgia is now doing by undergoing a mentorship at the Australian Writer’s Centre.

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  3. Really impressive 11-year-old author! Congrats to Georgia, and I feel there’s no need to wish her luck with the next thing–she’ll do fine!
    I especially enjoyed many of her brief one-word responses. That may be her personality. That may be youth. All I know is that when adults are interviewed, “Chess” would turn into, also, when, where, why, and how.
    PS: Thanks so much for having the red arrow point out the mouse. I would have thought I was going insane or REALLY dumb otherwise, not being able to figure that cartoon out.

    As I’ve said previously, I love Georgia’s cover, and the idea of this wolf pack’s lives sounds exciting and dangerous. I never wrote anything exciting and dangerous at her age–it was all touchy-feely emotions. So I think she’s definitely on to something here, realizing very young the importance of universal appeal.
    Thanks, Glen, for a stimulating look inside the brain of this talented up-and-comer!

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    • You write the best comments Stacey!
      I too noted the succinct syntax of a number of Georgia’s responses to questions.
      I think you’re right – a mixture of youth and her own personality can account for that.
      As to the red arrow… I appreciate you appreciating that!
      I had to stare at that cartoon a number of times before I ‘got it’. I eventually put that delayed response down to the fact the mouse was drawn so small (to scale) it’s very easy to miss. If that occurs the joke falls flat.
      Red arrow to the rescue!

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  7. A book signing at Inala Library! Was she from the Inala area Glen? I hope so as it would represent something positive for a suburb few have any hope for.

    How did you get in contact to arrange the interview? How did you even hear about her? Was it pure chance? Did her parents vet you before they let you near her? So many questions….

    This was definitely one interview I was looking forward to. I bet you wished you had been her teacher for a year? (another question….)

    We all know about the risks for adolescents entering the music celebrity world and how they can go somewhat wild once they enter the adult realm in order to try to leave their origins behind and rebrand themselves. Any thoughts Glen on the risks of adolescent writers and the pressures they might contend with as they come of age? Maybe they go from books to Youtube videos? We will just have to watch this space I guess. At least they don’t have an image or stage presence to rebrand. Authors can at least hide behind a certain degree of anonymity.

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    • She did mention being in drama class, Roger. Doing YouTube videos definitely doesn’t seem like too much of a stretch to me. And then…on to Hollywood! 🙂

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      • There’s one step you’ve omitted from that magical sequence Stacey and it comes right before the Hollywood scenario .. and that’s a guest segment on the Aussie version of the tv show LITTLE BIG SHOTS.

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    • All permissions granted for this interview were via Georgia’s parents. Georgia is also featured in the most recent edition of The Forest Lake News.
      I’m reliably informed Georgia is handling the newly acquired attention the publication of her novel has caused with a very level head plus a few extra and well-earned scoops of her favorite vanilla icecream.

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  8. Great job Georgia it’s amazing to have someone in our grade who has already published a awesome book. I love the book also that’s a great accomplishment that you have achieved ☺️😁
    -Lola

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    • Good call Lola!
      Publishing a real-sized novel at such a young age is indeed a double-rainbow-brilliant achievement.
      (This clip is maybe best viewed with the sound down to escape the fairly over-the-top commentary – just a suggestion!)

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  9. Great job Georgia 😊😇 What an amazing book you have published. It’s awesome having someone in our grade who has already published a book . I also love your book we are reading it in class. GREAT JOB AMAZING🤩🤪

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  18. Absolutely amazing work Georgia! I love reading your book, your ideas are fantastic!You have an great imagination!🤩 The fact that you’ve published an actual book at such a young age blew me away!😇 I loved the book signing and I hope you continue your work!🤪😎👍🏻✨ From Angela~

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  21. Way it go Georgia I’v never seen a young 11 years old author before I love listening from when Mr Glen.Donaldson reads your book out to the class 6D.🤪🤪🤪🤪👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼💯📚

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  35. AWESOME work Georgia!!!!. Becoming an author at the age of just 11 years old is an AWESOME accomplishment. Anyone would do anything to have such a gift of fantastic writing skill not just at 11 years old, but at any age. Keep up the ‘SERIOUSLY’ good work Georgia!!!!!

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