All About Susie Sarah

INTRODUCTION

How lucky was l to be gifted with mild dyslexia as a child!  It gave me something to work with and overcome.

My poor eyesight ensured l needed to sit close to the front of the class and l was determined to work hard.  In the early 60's children were rewarded for their efforts with scholarships and l used mine for school books.

 

Reading and writing transformed from a battle to the greatest love of my life (l hope my husband doesn't read this) and l am still reading almost a book a day.

My parents were amazed when l pleaded to be sent to Ballarat High School when they sent my other sisters to a technical school - l simply had decided to be a teacher.  In those days the Teachers College was right next door to Ballarat High.  So close but so far away as l was unable to finish school.

 

Strangely now through my writing l am able to visit schools as an author and teach students how to write rhyming verses.  Sometimes l think life provides you with exactly what you need at any given time.  Certainly my writing has, and still does, give me wonderful opportunities to learn and grow.  I am meeting amazing people and living an enviable life style.

 

I am very fortunate to be surrounded by supportive friends, family and my best friend - my husband.  He continues to give me a firm boot up the bottom when needed as l tend to be a little too cautious.   He is often more energised by this 'book business' than l am, which is amazing.  He continually tells me "it's fun not hard work" which on reflection is spot on.  If he hadn't convinced my that l could make a go of this 'author thing' then l doubt l would have had the courage to give it a go.  How many of us really feel confidence in our own dreams when we often prefer to work hard to believe in the dreams of others.

 

5 THINGS I CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT –

v  My husband Brian or Blokie as he’s better known. He keeps me on track and comes up with the best ideas for marketing and is my numbers man.
 

v  My camera – I love photography as you will note from the little photos throughout my blog.
 

v  A nice bulky note pad and heaps of pens.  I just can’t seem to use the computer on my first drafts.  Sadly my hand writing is impossible to decipher as my hand tries to keep up with the rush of words.
 

v  Cross stitch patterns – sometimes l lose myself in counting stitches and selecting colours.  I have enough wonderful patterns to see me out many times over.
 

v My fishing rod and fish smoker.  How can it be that l am hooked on fishing mainly because I’m a hunter gatherer who loves to eat the catch

Fund Raisers, School Workshops and Children's Book Workshops

   FUND RAISERS 

Playing Possum and Mother McGinty's Goat are  now available as a fund raiser for Pre Schools, Schools and Kindergartens.

Contact Susie on her e-mail address susiesarah@hotmail.com.au for details.

Books are available now for this offer for a limited time.  This is “The National Year of Reading” so get into the spirit of the occasion and make some funds for your local Pre School, School or Kindergarten.


WORKSHOPS

To contact Susie about School Workshops e mail her at  susiesarah@hotmail.com.au 

Primary School students in years 2 onwards will be shown how to structure a simple story.

                                         How to work with verse and rhythm.

                                         How to add illustrations.

                                                   How to format the story into a simple story book.

            WRITERS AND ILLUSTRATORS

     

Illustrators and Writers – both groups and individuals interested in contacting Susie for Workshops on

            “HOW TO PRODUCE YOUR FIRST CHILDREN’S BOOK”

can contact her on her  e mail address susiesarah@hotmail.com.au 

I read a myriad of  “How To” books before feeling courageous enough to start on my first book.  None really gave me all the info l needed and in reality it was a hit and miss situation.   Calling self publishing  ‘Vanity Press’ is a cruel put down of brave writers and illustrators who sink their savings into a product they truly believe is the best they can produce.

 We who self publish are members of the  ‘Courageous Press’.  If you choose the DIY publishing path, you can have total control of your work and how it is portrayed.  Every step of the production of your book is entirely your choice including the depth of your commitment.

 The Workshops are about the journey from manuscript and illustration to the printer, then on to the book launch and marketing strategy. 

    Susies Stories

IN THE BEGINNING –

I was born in Ballarat in 1955 and enjoyed a childhood of relative freedom.  I now know l was Dyslexic.  My problems with putting my shoes on the right feet were so bad that Mum bought me sneakers with Right and Left boldly marked on the front of the shoes.  I was pretty hopeless at sport and struggled with reading and writing, often writing words back the front. I  worked like a Trojan and finally learned  how to read and write.  Once I got the hang of it there was no stopping me.  I was writing poetry and short stories in Primary School but struggling with numbers.

My dream during Primary School was to be a teacher, and to that end I chose Ballarat High School as the next stepping stone.  Within sight, right next door was the Teachers College.

To get there l needed to win scholarships as my family were battlers.  I was keen to have a High School education and loved every minute of it.  Now l wish l had finished my schooling but in those days kids were often required to help out financially in the home.

Years later l had two opportunities to train as a Teacher but decided not to take them up thank heavens.  Both would have been disastrous.  Now I have the opportunity  to talk to children through my stories, and love reading at Pre Schools and Primary Schools.

Most of my writing is based on my childhood memories and wonderful experiences while living in rural areas and in the Australian bushland. My stories of native animals come from caring for and observing wildlife.  Many years ago I ran a shelter for injured and orphaned wildlife in the Grampians, a rich and rewarding experience.

Morning cuppa with a friend.

5 THINGS I CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT –

v  My husband Brian or Blokie as he’s better known. He keeps me on track and comes up with the best ideas for marketing and is my numbers man.

v  My camera – I love photography as you will note from the little photos throughout my blog.

v  A nice bulky note pad and heaps of pens.  I just can’t seem to use the computer on my first drafts.  Sadly my hand writing is impossible to decipher as my hand tries to keep up with the rush of words.

v  Cross stitch patterns – sometimes l lose myself in counting stitches and selecting colours.  I have enough wonderful patterns to see me out many times over.

v  My fishing rod and fish smoker.  How can it be that l am hooked on fishing mainly because I’m a hunter gatherer who loves to eat the catch.