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Writing Hannah: On Writing for Children
Libby Gleeson is one of Australia's most successful writers for young children, the author of 15 novels. She has written two previous "Hannah" books, and as she embarked on her third, Hannah and the Tomorrow Room, she decided to keep a journal, from which Writing Hannah developed
Rather than simply writing a "how to" book on writing for children, the author decided to share the process itself, taking us on a journey into the heart of literary creation. We follow her philosophical scrutiny of the world, of the nature of character and the making of fiction. She examines all aspects of writing, including point of view, narrative structure and language, but mediated through her own experience - her hesitations, false starts and growing confidence.
128 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 1999
13 people want to read
About the author
Libby Gleeson
63 books38 followers"I was born in Young, a small town in south western NSW in 1950. After a few years we moved to Glen Innes, on the northern tablelands and then when I was ten we moved out west to Dubbo. We moved because my father was a schoolteacher and each change meant a promotion for him.
There were six children in the family. I was number three and there wasn't a lot of money. We didn't have television and of course there was no such thing as a computer.
Books and reading were hugely important. I remember going to the library on a Saturday morning and borrowing five or six books and reading them all by Sunday night.
When I finished High School I studied at the University of Sydney. I had a great time studying mainly history but also getting involved in lots of things happening at the University and the city. It was the time of the anti-Vietnam war protests and the rise of the Women's Movement.
I taught for two years in a small town, Picton, which is just outside of Sydney. I really enjoyed that time but I wanted to travel and in 1976 I headed off for five years. I based myself first in Italy where I taught English and then in London where I started writing my first novel, Eleanor, Elizabeth. I attended a creative writing group where the other students pushed me to write a better book. In London I also met my husband. We came back to Sydney in 1980. We've got three daughters.
When we first came back I taught at the University of NSW but now I write full-time. I've written thirty books and I've also taught occasional courses in creative writing and I've visited lots of schools to talk about my work.
I write picture books, novels for young kids and also novels for slightly older readers. I've done a book about writing and also a small amount of writing for television: Bananas in Pyjamas and Magic Mountain.
The writer's life is pretty good. It's a job where you work for yourself, in your daggy track suit, at times that suit you. What more could you ask for?"
from: http://www.libbygleeson.com.au/biogra...
There were six children in the family. I was number three and there wasn't a lot of money. We didn't have television and of course there was no such thing as a computer.
Books and reading were hugely important. I remember going to the library on a Saturday morning and borrowing five or six books and reading them all by Sunday night.
When I finished High School I studied at the University of Sydney. I had a great time studying mainly history but also getting involved in lots of things happening at the University and the city. It was the time of the anti-Vietnam war protests and the rise of the Women's Movement.
I taught for two years in a small town, Picton, which is just outside of Sydney. I really enjoyed that time but I wanted to travel and in 1976 I headed off for five years. I based myself first in Italy where I taught English and then in London where I started writing my first novel, Eleanor, Elizabeth. I attended a creative writing group where the other students pushed me to write a better book. In London I also met my husband. We came back to Sydney in 1980. We've got three daughters.
When we first came back I taught at the University of NSW but now I write full-time. I've written thirty books and I've also taught occasional courses in creative writing and I've visited lots of schools to talk about my work.
I write picture books, novels for young kids and also novels for slightly older readers. I've done a book about writing and also a small amount of writing for television: Bananas in Pyjamas and Magic Mountain.
The writer's life is pretty good. It's a job where you work for yourself, in your daggy track suit, at times that suit you. What more could you ask for?"
from: http://www.libbygleeson.com.au/biogra...
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
August 11, 2016
What I loved about this book is that it didn't prescribe how to write for children. It described the process, the thought, attitudes and discoveries included in the journey of writing a children's book. It allowed me to grow as my own kind of writer, without forcing me into a prescribed mold.
Libby Gleeson shares honestly about how she writes with a genuine respect for the creative act, the intended readers and the story itself. A great read and a great resource for those venturing into writing for children.
Libby Gleeson shares honestly about how she writes with a genuine respect for the creative act, the intended readers and the story itself. A great read and a great resource for those venturing into writing for children.
December 22, 2014
"Writing Hannah" is a great book for all writers of children's books. I enjoyed reading about Libby Gleeson's process and finding that her way of writing is similar to mine. There are a lot of great tips to take away and there are a few that I have already started applying to my own writing process.
If you are a kidlit author, this is a book that is well worth reading.
If you are a kidlit author, this is a book that is well worth reading.
December 18, 2013
Practical advice for writers, specifically children's literature. This book is a very generous exploration of the process of writing "Hannah and the Tomorrow Room" which gives many insights into every facet of writing a book - from kernel of an idea to publishing.
September 1, 2012
Some useful tips
July 10, 2017
Insightful and accessible!
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews