Nicole Kelly

Nicole Kelly

Q&A with Author Nicole Kelly

What inspired you to be a writer?

I have loved writing and books all my life. I have been a voracious reader since I was a child, and experimenting with my own words was the next logical step! I wrote my first full-length manuscript when I was 16, and have tinkered with writing ever since. Falling head-long into wonderful books like the Tomorrow Series and Looking for Alibrandi as a teenager inspired me to create an adventures that people could read as well. 

What prompted you to write 'Lament'?

I grew up in Wangaratta and Glenrowan, which is the home of the Kelly story. I was surrounded by tales of the Kelly Gang and I loved the story from the first. Creating a story, where Ned and the boys found a different future for themselves, was something that I dreamed up while pregnant with my first child. I thought writing a novel on maternity leave would be a great idea... though it took significantly longer than that!!

Do you have any more books in the pipeline?

I have been working on my next manuscript, a middle-grade adventure, which captures my interest for engaging children in reading. 

What is your professional background?

I have been a teacher for almost 17 years! Teaching children to read and write, to find their own words, is something I love to do. I have also been able to teach Japanese to students, a language and culture which I also have a passion for. 

Any advice you would like to give to aspiring writers?

Find your writing people! It can be a lonely activity, writing a book or writing at all! By finding like-minded writers in-person or online, can help you to realise that others are working through the same successes and challenges as you.

Who/what inspires you?

I am inspired by life! I love history and learning about people, watching people and gaining inspiration from the rural Victorian countryside. Ballarat is a town of such history and beauty, that it is hard not to be inspired. I also love reading, which always gets creativity flowing. 

What are your hobbies, interests and favourite books?

Life is always busy, but in those few spare hours, I love to read, catch up with friends and family for coffee and go for walks near my beautiful home town. There are too many favourite books to list! But some of my current loves are: Still Life, The Light Between Oceans, The Good People and Captain Corelli's Mandolin. 

How can readers contact you? 

Instagram: @ruralvicwriter

Contact via: Hawkeye Contact Page

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