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Millwater author Karen McMillan had to step out of her comfort zone to convert one of her children’s books in the Elastic Island series, Port Mugaloo, into a film script.
She spent the last year working on the project with a UK scriptwriter, learning as she went.
“It’s a completely different type of writing,” Karen says. “You have to make it very visual with lots of action and no internal dialogue. Eventually it became fun, but it was hard at the beginning.”
The whole five book series of Elastic Island books has been optioned by Fuzzy Duckling Media, who is using that script to generate interest from a big partner so they can be developed into films.
A theme song has already been recorded, written by Murray Grindlay and featuring Kiwi singer Janayah. Karen went to one of the recording sessions and says it was really exciting and moving to hear the song inspired by her book.
Karen already had a mix of bestselling fiction and non-fiction books for adults behind her when she turned her attention to writing for children. Currently she is creating a new book in the series every year.
She says everything about writing children’s books is a delight. She regularly gets letters from young people who enjoy the books and are finding inspiration for their own writing.
The fifth book in the series, Kingdom of Blong, was published this month. Like the others, it is described as a fast-paced, exciting and original read for children aged 8-12. Every book includes unusual, real life creatures and this time it’s bilbies – endangered, and very cute, Australian marsupials. Karen has close ties with Australia and although the other creatures in her books have all been from across the ditch, she has the kakapo earmarked for the future.
Karen recently found out that she is one of five writers who have been awarded a residency at the cottage of playwright Robert Lord in Dunedin. The cottage has been run as a rent-free writers’ residency since 2003. Karen plans to research a historical novel, set in Dunedin, during her stay.
Backstory June 3, 2020
WIN this book
Hibiscus Matters has three copies of Karen McMillan’s children’s book Elastic Island Adventures: Kingdom of Blong to give away. To go in the draw, ‘like’ Hibiscus Matters’ Facebook page and message us with your name and phone number, mentioning the Kingdom of Blong giveaway. Alternatively, write your name, address and daytime phone number on the back of an envelope and post to Kingdom of Blong Giveaway, Hibiscus Matters, 21 Florence Ave, Ōrewa. Entries close August 9. The book will be available from Paper Plus, or www.karenm.co.nz
