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Emily Rodda - Biography Emily Rodda; Biography
Biography
Emily Rodda’s first book, Something Special, was published in 1984. It marked the beginning of a career that has seen her become one of the most successful, prolific and versatile writers in Australia. She has written or co-authored well over fifty books for children, and as Jennifer Rowe (her real name) she writes popular mystery novels for adults. Her children’s books range from picture books to YA novels, and include the award-winning Rowan series and the outstandingly successful Deltora Quest fantasy series. Winner of the Children’s Book Council of Australia’s Book of the Year (Younger Readers) Award a record five times, she seems to know instinctively what children want to read. She has been a full-time writer since 1994. "I feel very lucky to have a job I love so much," she says. Her four children, including twin boys, have given her plenty of inspiration over the years. "None of the characters in my books are exactly like anyone I know, but all of them have things in common with people I know. Everyone writes from his or her own experience. I look at people I know and listen to them and when I am trying to think of a new character, these things come back to me." All Emily Rodda’s books are testament to her exception storytelling ability. She describes the Rowan books, which combine a classic quest storyline with a series of riddling mysteries to be solved, as being "the most pleasurable to write". Other books, like Dog Tales, which looks at the lives of a gang of neighbourhood dogs, demonstrate her wonderful talent for comedy. Her plots are always beautifully crafted. "I love things that all tie up… There’s no little clue that doesn’t have a meaning and I suppose it’s the fascination for someone who likes word games or likes doing tapestry… maybe it’s a response to the general messiness of life, but I find it very satisfying." And important influence on her writing was the world of the media. Her father was a TV executive, and she grew up with "the ratings" and a great respect for the demands of the marketplace. She acknowledges the need for escapist books as well as those that are more literary. In 1995 Emily Rodda won the prestigious Dromkeen Medal. The judges of the award said of her that she "maintains a prolific writing schedule, continues to provide a role model in promoting children’s literature, and still spends many hours sharing her love of books with children and educators".
Emily comments on Deltora Quest:I was really excited when I thought of the idea of writing Deltora Quest. At first I wanted to write a serial-type quest, a story that would go over several books. The Rowan of Rin books, which have always done quite well and which I love writing, are complete, without a continuing storyline. I really wanted to write a classic quest in stages, culminating in a final book. I had the idea of a quest involving three heroes and had worked on the manuscript for quite a while before I took it to the publisher, Scholastic Australia. I wanted to see what they thought of it and it turned out that they thought it was a great idea.
Emily comments on Rowan of Rin:“Everyone has their talent, everyone has something to contribute and you don’t have to be a great, tough, outgoing, obviously strong, person to be able to do wonderful things. You can do wonderful things whatever you look like, however strong you are. It’s what inside those counts. It’s the strength of character that counts not the strength of the body.”
Emily Rodda Book list:Rondo The Key to Rondo
Deltora Quest Series One: Series Two: Series Three: Others:
Rowan of Rin Rowan of Rin
The Fairy Realm Series One: Series Two:
Raven Hill Mysteries 1. The Ghost of Raven Hill
Squeak Street 1. Old Bun and the Burglar
Single Books Something Special
Picture Books Power and Glory
Younger Readers Green Fingers
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Emily Rodda grew up with her two younger brothers on Sydney's North Shore and graduated from the University of Sydney in 1973 with an MA (Hons) in English Literature. Always an avid reader, she moved naturally into a career in publishing, first as a book editor, and finally as a publisher at Angus & Robertson.
