Bass Coast Post: You’ve taught professional writing and philosophy. What made you think of combining the two in your first children’s picture book?
Ian Robinson: Actually, I didn't think of it. One of my Writing and Editing students at Chisholm Berwick, Elise Jones, who later became a good friend and then got a job as a children's book editor at Allen and Unwin, made the connection and suggested I try it. So I started playing around with ideas. The idea for The Most Amazing Thing was my third or fourth go. It came to me in the middle of the night at a writing retreat, and I wrote it down the next morning. The text hasn't changed significantly since then.
Ian Robinson: Actually, I didn't think of it. One of my Writing and Editing students at Chisholm Berwick, Elise Jones, who later became a good friend and then got a job as a children's book editor at Allen and Unwin, made the connection and suggested I try it. So I started playing around with ideas. The idea for The Most Amazing Thing was my third or fourth go. It came to me in the middle of the night at a writing retreat, and I wrote it down the next morning. The text hasn't changed significantly since then.
Post: How difficult was the transformation to writing for children?
Ian: It didn't find it difficult at all. I think writing the students book components of Young Australia Maths got me into the mind-set of writing for children. The picture book was just an extension of this. Once the writing for children suggestion was planted in my mind the ideas just kept coming – I now have the first drafts of about ten more children's books, including two sequels to The Most Amazing Thing, waiting for publishers to knock on my door.
Post: You’re a man of words. Was it difficult to keep the words to a minimum?
Ian: No.
Post: Why would children want to read this book? Or is it for their parents to read?
Ian: I think it's both: a book for children to read once they are able to, and a book for parents to read to children of pre-reading age. I hope it has the same effect on them as it has on Henry in the book and gets them all to see and value their own uniqueness as human beings.
Ian: It didn't find it difficult at all. I think writing the students book components of Young Australia Maths got me into the mind-set of writing for children. The picture book was just an extension of this. Once the writing for children suggestion was planted in my mind the ideas just kept coming – I now have the first drafts of about ten more children's books, including two sequels to The Most Amazing Thing, waiting for publishers to knock on my door.
Post: You’re a man of words. Was it difficult to keep the words to a minimum?
Ian: No.
Post: Why would children want to read this book? Or is it for their parents to read?
Ian: I think it's both: a book for children to read once they are able to, and a book for parents to read to children of pre-reading age. I hope it has the same effect on them as it has on Henry in the book and gets them all to see and value their own uniqueness as human beings.
The Most Amazing Thing with be published by Allen & Unwin on February 27. RRP: $19.99 Post: Did you learn anything – about philosophy or yourself – while writing The Most Amazing Thing?
Ian: I learnt patience. Bringing out a good children's picture book is a long process, especially if the text and illustrations are by different people. There are months of to-and-fro negotiations as we make sure the words and the pictures are a good match. Then they have to be melded together on the page and finally the printing process for a full-colour large-size hardback book is not quick. So from initial idea to a hard copy in my hand was over six years. I was not normally a patient person but I think I now understand that good things take time and are worth waiting for.
Post: How do the maths textbooks fit with the creative writer?
Ian: I don't see myself as any one kind of writer. I have published a fantasy story, sports writing, philosophical writing, socio-political commentary, text books, instructional manuals, curricula, and spiritual reflections; have written and performed cabaret; and had plays produced professionally. I currently have a children's pantomime "Snow White and the Seven Penguins" under consideration by the local Offshore Theatre company. You might see me as a "Jack of all Trades", but I hope I am the Master of a significant number of them!
Post: Can we expect more picture books from Robinson and Shanks?
Ian: The publishers introduced us to one another. I think Matt's illustrations are fantastic and I enjoyed working with him on this project. I have suggested some further collaborations to him and I am waiting to hear his response. So I hope so.
Ian: I learnt patience. Bringing out a good children's picture book is a long process, especially if the text and illustrations are by different people. There are months of to-and-fro negotiations as we make sure the words and the pictures are a good match. Then they have to be melded together on the page and finally the printing process for a full-colour large-size hardback book is not quick. So from initial idea to a hard copy in my hand was over six years. I was not normally a patient person but I think I now understand that good things take time and are worth waiting for.
Post: How do the maths textbooks fit with the creative writer?
Ian: I don't see myself as any one kind of writer. I have published a fantasy story, sports writing, philosophical writing, socio-political commentary, text books, instructional manuals, curricula, and spiritual reflections; have written and performed cabaret; and had plays produced professionally. I currently have a children's pantomime "Snow White and the Seven Penguins" under consideration by the local Offshore Theatre company. You might see me as a "Jack of all Trades", but I hope I am the Master of a significant number of them!
Post: Can we expect more picture books from Robinson and Shanks?
Ian: The publishers introduced us to one another. I think Matt's illustrations are fantastic and I enjoyed working with him on this project. I have suggested some further collaborations to him and I am waiting to hear his response. So I hope so.