Five Questions with Angie Belcher

Angie Belcher has been lurking around the writing fraternity for an eternity. In the late 1990’s, she had work accepted by Learning Media which set her on a path of educational writing. She’s watched other New Zealand writers strive and succeed while she sat back and watched. Finally, she got into gear and sent some work to traditional publishers. The Woven Flax Kete (illustrated by Denise Durkin) The Girls in the Kapa haka and The Boys in the Waka ama (both illustrated by Debbie Tipuna) were published, followed more recently by Pipi Dance (illustrated by Lily Uivel) and The Big Boil-Up (illustrated by Zak Ātea). Angie’s work is heavily in influenced by living in Maketū. Both Pipi Dance/ Te Pikari Pipi and The Big Boil-Up/ Te Kai kōhua Nui have been translated into te reo by Pānia Papa.

What is your writing or illustrating day like? When and how do you create?

Whoever said ‘retirement was relaxing’ lied. I’ve never been so busy, so now I try to set aside one day per week as my writing day. That’s when I gather up all the scraps of paper with scribbled notes, list emails that need replying in order of importance, clean my desk, make a coffee, clean my desk again, choose a tutorial, podcast (SCBWI has good ones) or music to motivate me then I get started. I’ll often revisit the pile of manuscripts which I’ve never had the confidence to send or tinker on something new, often sparked by pulling out those scraps of paper.

Where do your best ideas come from? How do you develop them further?

My best ideas come from being in different environments. My very early work was based around adrenalin-fueling activities, skydiving, SCUBA DIVING, caving and motorcycling so there was always excitement and unexpected outcomes to write about. When my husband at the time and I started taking children on adventures and writing their stories the opportunities just kept coming. There was a demand for the type of work we were producing. I was focused on writing what I knew. It was very lucrative, so it was easy to be motivated! Of course, I’m much older now and have weaned myself of my adrenalin addiction, so I look for the ideas around me. I’m fortunate to live in a very inspiring place. Maketū is a raw slice of New Zealand. The locals still collect seafood, gather at the marae, make puipui and pōtae, there are stories everywhere. Being pākeha there is a lot I don’t know about Te ao Māori so even the simplest book requires a lot of research. The Big Boil-Up which was just launched, involved foraging and gathering puha and watercress with a local kuia, watching her prepare the food and lots of hilarious moments with her family and many mokopuna. Likewise, The Boys in the Waka ama involved learning how to paddle a waka. I still firmly believe that it’s much easier to write about what you know or have experienced.

                                                        What is the work you are most proud of so far?                                                          Why?

The Woven Flax Kete (Reed Publishing) is now 22 Years old and out of print but every year teachers contact me asking for copies. I’ve made a pdf and a YouTube recording available via my website as compensation. The story is timeless and deals with friendship, values and how sometimes when we look for one thing, we are gifted with another.  I wrote it when I was in my mid-forties and on solo at Outward Bound. Although I had written many educational books I’d never sent anything in to a trade publisher. It was one of those dream situations where you email an

d a small amount of each of these, so I am very happy. Writing has given me many wonderful opportunities, I’ve had trips overseas, been the prize in a raffle, a window display, part of an installation artwork and met more incredible people than I ever would have had the opportunity had I not been a writer. So, I guess now, in this later stage of my life what I really would love is to know that something I have written has inspired a reader to take a closer look at the world around them, embracing it and realizing that there is so much joy to be had.

What is one thing you would say to aspiring children’s writers or illustrators?

Persevere, hang out with other writers and illustrators, take advantage of every workshop, network group or online discussion that you possibly can. You will glean important techniques and information, be inspired by the creativity of others and will become familiar with names and faces, likewise them with you.

To find out more about Angie, visit her website HERE