One of
the funniest performers in Australian schools is children’s author DC Green.
Widely known as a surfing journalist for many years, DC is now better known for
his very funny, fast-paced novels that are peopled by highly inventive, zany
characters. Here DC talks about his latest book, Monster School, the first in a series.
Can you tell readers about your latest children’s book
Monster School?
DC: Monster School is, literally, about a school for monsters! Monstro
City is the home of vampires, mummies, giant spiders, five different goblin
types, four million monsters all up – every monster type from every human
civilization. Humans are the endangered species. The human prince Thomas’s
horrible life is no sooner introduced in chapter one, when WHAM! He’s attacked
by a monster assassin – Bloody Mary.
Plus every chapter features
fantastic monster illustrations by Danny Willis!
What inspired the idea for the book – and the series?
DC: This is my attempt to
write a Lord of the Rings for the
Twenty-first Century! So there are goblins, ogres, trolls and yes, a dragon!
The setting is an island metropolis in a flooded world, so the potential
conflict levels are ratcheted high in every overcrowded suburb. After I came up
with the original idea, I spent months planning the city, allocating monster
types, jobs, populations and histories. Monstro City was like a giant writer’s
play-pen. So, my main inspiration is simple fun. I had SO much fun planning and
writing and even rewriting this story. Hopefully that sense of fun bursts
through to my readers.
This is book one of a series. How many books are
planned and what is the next one?
DC: There are three City of Monsters books planned. Each
will tell a self-contained story that also forms an over-arching trilogy. I
have plotted this for a lonnng time (fiendish cackle). Book Two: Mafia Goblins Rule!
You have a very distinctive writing style. Can you
describe it and what you do to maintain a story’s fast pace?
DC: First, thank you! When
writing dialogue, I must carefully select words that mimic consistently the
voice, style, prejudices, slang and sentence structure of whoever is speaking.
My style also alters depending if I’m writing a first rather a than a third
person narrative, or describing thoughts rather than action. But I do have
personal style rules I try to follow (mostly). For example, I like to use
short, punchy sentences in action scenes and more expansive sentences when
describing or entering a character’s thoughts.
I believe maintaining a
story’s fast pace is crucial to retaining the interest of boredom-challenged
young readers. All authors need to plan carefully to maximise every scene and
keep their narrative engine rumbling. If an exposition info-dump is required,
turn the minimum wordage required into dialogue and sprinkle through a fight
scene. It definitely helps to keep conflict levels boiling in every scene, and
to constantly raise the stakes and make bad situations worse. Also essential:
editing brutally. If a connecting scene is dull or not pulling its weight on
multiple levels, then cull, or add spice.
How do you go about writing a book? Do you plot
meticulously or does it simply evolve? As a general rule, what is your starting
point – character, setting, etc?
DC: First comes the idea: a
city of monsters. Then comes plotting. Lots of plotting. With an entire city of
monsters, I knew I would need plenty of research time and world building. I
wrote over 200 pages of background notes before I even started my story. I
think that qualifies as meticulous!
Can you talk about humour and how you achieve it in
your books? What do you think makes kids laugh?
DC: I’ve loved making people
laugh since I was a primary school class clown. It’s an honour as an author to
bring laughter and cheer into the lives of so many kids who might not otherwise
have many such opportunities. As for what makes kids laugh? That’s the million
dollar question! I believe, as children grow, their senses of humour become
ever-more complex, requiring different types of humour. My Erasmus James books (for ages eight and up) had more word-play,
slapstick, insults and the odd gross joke, while the humour in Monster School (ages ten and up) is more
organic and dialogue-based. But then, I also thought Monster School was easily my most ‘serious’ children’s book and
have been continually surprised when readers tell me how many laugh-out-loud
moments they experienced through the story.
How do you keep coming up with preposterous ideas for
characters and stories?
DC: If by preposterous you
mean remarkable, then… easily! I love mixing different story elements (e.g. a
school and monsters) to create something new. I have to force myself to stop
thinking of novel novel ideas for fear my brain will drown and I will never
live long enough to craft them all into stories.
What sort of feedback have you had so far from readers
and reviewers?
DC: As I type this, the book
isn’t in stores yet. But, amazingly, the feedback I’ve received so far has been
universally positive. Jenny Mounfield called Monster School ‘a beautifully illustrated and tightly-woven read…
filled with snappy dialogue and wonderfully witty characters,’ while Ian Irvine
dubbed the book, ‘A wild, wise-cracking ride. I loved it.’ Best of all, though,
were the replies from my junior beta readers. I received multiple 10/10 scores
and glowing praise. Many kids even wrote their own monster stories and sent me
detailed artwork of their favourite monsters. Their inspiration has in turn
inspired me.
What other children’s books have you published so far?
DC: I’ve had five other
children’s books published. Three Little
Surfer Pigs is a fractured fairytale picture book with amazing artwork by
Simon McLean. Erasmus James and the
Galactic Zapp Machine is a funny and fast-paced fantasy, and is the first
in a three-book series for primary school kids. Similar to Monster School, Stinky Squad
is a slightly darker tale for ages ten and up. It is also features the world’s
grossest teen superheroes, and an apocalyptic gawk at John Howard’s Australia.
Can you talk about the work you do all around
Australia as a schools’ performer?
DC: Every year I hit the road
(and airport) to perform for several weeks in schools. I’ve done the world’s
worst rap in every Australian state and territory from Groote Eylandt to
Australia’s southernmost school on Bruny Island. I think next year I’ll reach
my thousandth show! I feel privileged to be an ambassador for reading and
writing and always try to bring my A-game. I also try to balance my shows with
funny material that will entertain and motivate the kids, while also
introducing ample creative writing tips to keep the teachers grinning too.
What did you do before becoming a children’s author?
DC: I’ve worked in a range of
jobs, but have always been at least a part-time writer. For many years I had a
freeloading career as a surf journalist. I still can’t believe I was paid to
surf exotic surf spots around the world and laze in hammocks with the
superstars of surfing. The job also had bleaker times though with psychopathic
locals, double shark attacks and covering the Bali bombings.
Do you have any advice for new children’s writers? How
do you go about getting a book published, for instance?
DC: Two things. One: love
writing! There is not a lot of money in children’s writing, but the community
of children’s writers is wonderful and I’d rather be poor and happy doing what
I love than rich and miserable. Plus, loving what you do, you’ll enjoy every
step, and rejection will sting a little less. Two: keep learning. Join a
writers’ group, do writing courses, read writing articles (you have much
wonderful advice on this very site, Di!) and don’t give up without a fight.
Anything else you’d like to add?
DC: Yes, I have lots of links
I’d like to share:
Thanks for being the opening
act of my Monster Blog Tour, Di!
Happy writing
DC
Kate
is a recently released YA novel by Australian Kevin Burgemeestre about growth and mistakes. 
Kevin has recently turned his hand to writing. Kate, his debut novel, was completed as
part of the Copyright Agency residency at the University of New England in
2012. 
