Ask the Author: Debbie McCauley
Answered Questions (6)
Debbie McCauley
A passion for local history and environmental issues is the inspiration behind most of my work.
Debbie McCauley
Sometimes writing inspiration comes from the most unlikeliest of places. There can be a word that resonates with you, a piece of music, an experience, anything can provide that impulse to write, to get that thought or idea down on paper immediately before it disappears into the ether. Out of those masses of scribbles, sometimes an idea takes root and if the passion is there the vines of it get hold of you and won’t let you go until it’s told!
Debbie McCauley
After three years, I've finished 'The Treaty of Waitangi in Tauranga: Te Tiriti o Waitangi ki Tauranga Moana' which was released earlier this year. I'm also about to release a book called 'Ko Mauao te Maunga: Legend of Mauao' about a very special maunga (mountain) in our city. I've worked on and off this one since 2012, so I'm very excited to see it finally released during the Matariki Tauranga Moana festival.
Debbie McCauley
Writing is soul food - write, just keep writing and write for yourself. Write because you are passionate about your topic, not with the idea of becoming a published author.
Debbie McCauley
Seeing children really excited about hearing a story from their own backyard and listening to their thoughts about what is important to them about the story. I also love the positive feedback I've been receiving from adults :)
Debbie McCauley
Sometimes it’s just not the right time to be writing in general, or maybe it’s that particular story that is not ready to be told. Perhaps putting it aside and working on something different for a while will help. Often my sub-consciousness is still working away on things and a better angle may present itself, but in the meantime reconnecting to Papatūānuku is a good way to ground yourself, whether through gardening or getting your hands into the soil in another way.
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