Today I’m pleased to welcome fellow Australian author and dear writerly friend, Angela Sunde. She has been on a very interesting journey with her latest book, Snap Magic, and she’s going to share a little of the magic here at DeeScribe Writing.
Angela Sunde is the author of the light-hearted fantasy novels Snap Magic, and Pond Magic (an Aussie Chomp – Penguin Australia.) Awarded a May Gibbs Children’s Literature Trust Fellowship in 2013, Angela represents the Gold Coast as a committee member of the Queensland branch of The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators and is the editor of the Redlands City Council’s ‘Junior Redlitzer Anthology 2014.’ Formerly an award-winning language and literacy teacher, she is also a children’s writing judge and offers workshops at libraries and schools. www.angelasunde.com
Angela Sunde’s own tweenhood experiences were the inspiration for Snap Magic’s cringeworthy laugh-out-loud moments. ‘Writing Snap Magic took me right back to being twelve years old. It’s like I never grew up. I just wish I could reassure Lily that it’ll all be okay in the end.’
ANGELA SHARES THE MAGIC
Hello Dee!
Thank you so much for hosting me on your blog today. I’m very chuffed to be here. Coming up with five writing tips has made me reflect on my own methods during the planning stages of my writing.
When I wrote my new release, Snap Magic (the sequel to my Aussie Chomp, Pond Magic), I had no intention of independently publishing it. I had a firm invitation to submit from my publisher and had sent it to them just days before I received an email to tell me the Aussie Chomps list was closed. I read the email on my phone then immediately did a face plant on the couch. Ha ha!
Snap Magic, therefore, was written as an Aussie Chomp to the exacting specifications of that series. The approach I took when writing it is outlined below:
Five Writing Tips on Writing a Sequel:
- Look carefully at your first book. Why was it initially accepted for publication? What are its strengths? How do the characters interact with one another? Which narrative voice did you use? What was the tone of your story? This will give you a foundation on which to build a new plot.
- Consider the length of your sequel. It should match the first book in pacing, story arc and sub plot (if any). Refer to your previous notes and re-read your first book to ‘get in the zone.’
- Stick to a similar number of characters in the sequel. Let some go, while introducing new ones. Your main character should grow and change in a fresh way; he or she cannot undergo the same character development as in the previous story. Be consistent with character traits and quirks across both books.
- Follow a similar writing routine as you did for the first story. If mind mapping or free writing worked well the first time, it most likely will again. For Pond Magic I had worked out ten scenes and written summaries for each. I did the same with Snap Magic, allowing for flexibility.
- If you’re not completely sure the idea you have for the sequel will work, then don’t write it. Go and work on another project. A better idea may pop up later.
Thank you so much! I enjoyed visiting your blog today and I look forward to chatting with your readers.
Thanks for visiting us, Angela and sharing your great tips. Lovely to have you and Lily visiting DeeScribe Writing:)
SNAP MAGIC REVIEW
Unwanted facial hair and bra shopping with a mother who has no idea of what’s cool in lingerie is a tween’s worst nightmare.
So the reader knows right from the start that they are going to be in for an exciting ride with Angela Sunde’s new chapter book, Snap Magic.
The book features Lily Padd who was introduced to readers in the popular Pond Magic published in Penguin’s Chomps series.
As if having a grandma bra and sprouting hair aren’t bad enough, the awful Ellen Middleton is threatening to tell the whole school about Lily’s problems, including the cute new boy.
It gets worse. Lily’s plans to shine at the Halloween dance have been thwarted when her father gives her gown to the six-year-old twins to play dressups.
Angela Sunde really knows how to raise the stakes and put her characters in seemingly impossible situations.
But Lily is a girl of strong character and she’s not going to let this series of events bring her down. Mrs Swan next door knows magic, perhaps she can help. Unfortunately, her magic doesn’t always quite work out, so Lily has to decide whether seeking her help is worth the risk.
As well as being full of tension and excitement, there’s also fabulous humour in this book, and the situations and characters are very authentic.
There are many cringe worthy moments where the reader is kept on tenterhooks wondering how Lily will escape ultimate embarrassment.
Snap Magic has everything. Humour, action, magic, secrets, bullies, friendship and even pumpkin soup.
The beautiful illustrations are also by Angela Sunde.
Lily is an endearing, not quite perfect character and readers aged 9 to 12 will be able to form a strong connection with her.
Snap Magic includes themes of trust, bullying, fears, embarrassing parents, puberty onset, and that actions have consequences.
ISBN 978-0-9925753-0-4 (pbk) and ISBN 978-0-9925753-1-1 (ebook) Snap Magic can be purchased through Fishpond. Find out more about this book and how it was created by visiting these other great blogs.
Snap Magic Blog Tour Dates
October:
Monday 13. Kids Book Review
http://www.kids-bookreview.com
Tuesday 14. Sheryl Gwyther
http://sherylgwyther.wordpress.com
Wednesday 15. Robyn Opie
http://www.robynopie.blogspot.com.au
Karen Tyrrell
Thursday 16. Alison Reynolds
http://www.alisonreynolds.com.au
Friday 17. Chris Bell – From Hook to Book
http://christinemareebell.wordpress.com
Saturday 18. Boomerang Books Blog
http://blog.boomerangbooks.com.au
Dimity Powell
http://dimswritestuff.blogspot.com.au/
Sunday 18. Sandy Fussell / The Reading Stack
http://sandyfussell.blogspot.com.au
http://thereadingstack.blogspot.com.au
Monday 20. Aussiereviews
Tuesday 21. Dee White
https://deescribewriting.wordpress.com
Wednesday 22. Angela Sunde’s Blog Tour Wrap Up
http://angelasunde.blogspot.com.au
November – to follow
Robyn Opie
http://www.robynopie.blogspot.com.au
DeeScribewriting Blog 
Always a breath of fresh air Dee. Interesting pointers too Angela. Thanks for the insight into seconds!
Thanks for visiting, Dimity:) Glad you found Angela’s tips helpful.
Dee