When did you start illustrating or writing?
On the 1st of May 1988, on a warm sunny morning, I picked up a pen and wrote 'Supercalifragilisticsplurgyelidosish' and that was the beginning of my writing journey…..no seriously, I wasn't a strong writer when I was younger and through my school years I certainly wasn't an English whiz (and still aren't). I guess I have always had a fascination with words and how they come together to bring fun, laughter and entertainment. My favourite author, Dr Seuss probably instigated this in me and that’s what started the ball rolling. Skip a few years or more and I began to explore words myself through poems for family, a reading for my brother’s wedding, a story for my newborn niece and the many learning stories I wrote for the children I taught at kindergarten.
Then one Sunday night a light clicked on in my head and things made a different sense to me and 'I wonder what I can wonder in my wardrobe' was written that night. Now 5 years on and 3 stories later (and with 3 more in the pipeline) I feel like writing was always in me, I just didn't know it until later in my life and now I can't imagine not ever doing it.
What type of work do you produce?
I produce children's rhyming picture books. I love the way a story can be imaginative, quirky and fun and take the reader on a journey through the author’s words and the illustrators designs. I'm a bit of a big kid at heart and so I find this type of work fits me to a T. (Yes, like Talia)
Where and when do you work?
So this would be my biggest quirk with my books and writing - I work anywhere and anytime. I am slightly random about my writing process and my husband often experiences the 'Talia writing fest' as I tap my toes, type furiously, flicking my fingers to the ditty beat of my words and read out aloud trying to get the rhyme and story right. This can happen as I say anytime, anywhere. It can happen late at night on the cusp of the 'ultimate sleeping conditions' when I'm relaxed, warm, comfy and the world feels calm and then...I will hear 3-4 words that rhyme or trigger something in my head and it goes from there. I begin to add to them and words just pour out. For some reason t’s almost uncontrollable. I'm sure many of you will think this is bizarre and somewhat crazy but this is where I feel most at home.. It can even happen in the car on the way to New Plymouth (thank goodness for iPhones and writing Apps) for an Easter weekend away or at a friend’s place visiting. There is no fixed abode or set time I just let it happen when it does. Oh and the other thing is I write my stories in one go from start to finish, there is no coming back to it or half- finished stories. I start, I write, I finish, full stop.
Reading my stories to a group of children and seeing them naturally trying to follow my facial expressions (they are pretty random) giggling out loud (with real belly laughs) and having their hands flying left right and centre as they are busting to share their thoughts on the books like 'Talia did you know that pig is naked?' 'Actually I didn't (truthfully I didn't) but how funny is that! I wonder why?' And of course more hands go up as they share their thoughts.
And the most challenging?.
I love a good challenge and taking on self publishing as an author is a big one. It’s being, not just the writer but the designer, the proofer, the marketer, the seller, the distributer, the everything. I really have to be sure what I write is worth reading and what gets read is worth sharing. I want my books to be written well, so they are a great read that's 100% worth sharing with family, with friends and with everyone else.
What are you working on at the moment?
I just wrote story number 5 after a day in my pjs with my daughter at home and am in the process of putting together my books as an audio file. I have had many parents say to me 'my child always says mum your reading it wrong, that's not how Talia reads it' so I figured why not read along on a cd with my voice with some perfectly matched sound effects. It’s a win for parents, a bonus for kids and an extension of my books for me. Everyone wins!
Do you have any exciting projects planned for the future?
Absolutely, I am a bit of an ideas person and find myself dreaming up many different fun and exciting things around my books and creative writing. I don't see this ever ending and in fact I often find myself day dreaming about writing in my retired years, just the same way I do but with a few more grey hairs, possibly a slower hand and a bookshelf with a collection of works I have done.
Definitely Dr Seuss hands down. I loved his quirk and randomness in his writing. He made reading challenging but incredibly fun.
I also have many books I loved when I was child that either had beautiful illustrations like 'The Great Round-the-World Balloon Race' or fun tongue twister words like Tiki Tiki Tembo'. Another favourite was 'The Jolly Postman' that had little letters you could open and read. Different books were definitely my thing.
Which illustrator’s or writer’s work do you admire now?
Dr Seuss's writing style but not so much his illustration. I prefer more colourful and interesting illustrations. I admire the talent of my illustrator Scott Pearson as he really gets my stories and brings them alive. He has an amazing talent and one I admire and appreciate.
Where do you live and what do you work at (if you have another job)?
For work well I do many things everyday is a different day...
I...relief teach, run creative writing classes in schools, run my own business called SPLURGY, contract to the university supporting students on teaching practicum, share story telling in early childhood centres ...and I'm a super proud mum to Hayley and wife to Scott... here in Hamilton.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
Fishing with my husband and family for big fish, yummy fish, any fish!
Doing toddler friendly stuff with my little daughter Hayley
Drinking too much coffee with my friends
Taking long Sunday afternoon baths
Eating good food and lots of it!
If you have any more questions or would like Talia to do a school visit, you can contact Talia by:-
Website: www.splurgy.co.nz
Website: www.talianelson.co.nz
Facebook: Talia Evered (Author)
Facebook: Splurgy Ltd