Cath Crowley

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Sample chapter

Graffiti Moon

Cath Crowley

The Life and Times of Gracie Faltrain

Cath Crowley

Chasing Charlie Duskin

Cath Crowley

Gracie Faltrain Gets it Right

Cath Crowley

A Little Wanting Song

Cath Crowley

Gracie Faltrain Takes Control

Cath Crowley

Rosie Staples Magical Misunderstanding

Cath Crowley

Biography

Cath Crowley grew up in rural Victoria. She comes from a family of seven: her parents, three brothers and a dog called Elvis. All of them encouraged her to give up full-time teaching to write. Cath studied professional writing and editing at RMIT and works as both a freelance writer in Melbourne and a part-time teacher. She has lived and taught overseas but now lives in Kingsville in Melbourne. Graffiti Moon is Cath's fifth novel, following the three Gracie Faltrain novels and the award-winning Chasing Charlie Duskin.

Live chat (transcript)

<[G]Cath Crowley> Anna I LOVE that answer. How incredibly beautiful.

<asha-rose> we would paint the aboriginal flag, animals, cow, a stick figure, the australian flag, money, an elephant, a cooked chicken, a huntress, graffiti, a rose, a camel, a house, alf stuart (from home and away), a meer cat, a owl,

<[G]Cath Crowley> I think I would be books and water and flowers and sometimes dark skies but sometimes clouds

<anna8> I recently re-read my diaries from when I was teenager and you are right the big issues are often the same: fitting in, boyfriends, parents not understanding us etc. but the language in which teens talk now and the references that they use are so completely different and so fast changing, and I have to say sometimes quite alien... how do you stay on the top of it?

<helene> I would be a magnolia or a hibiscus . It is not what I think of my self buT to me a flower represents the cosmos

<[G]Cath Crowley> Asha, that answer is fantastic! I love all those things. And you're SO right. Everyone is a mix of a million things. You must be in a class with loads of great writers.

<helene> Cath I do like to write poetry and I think poetry really yells where the heart

<[G]Cath Crowley> Anna, I think you're right. Those issues are key. And they're big ones. The question you've asked is on my mind a lot. I don't try to write how teens speak - I'd never get it right. What does everyone think about dialougue in YA? Do you have to capture the vocab exactly?

<asha-rose> the kids would love to know if you have been to the kimberley in wa before? also where are you from?

<[G]Cath Crowley> Helene what a beautiful phrase - poetry yells. And yes. magnolias are glorious.

<[G]Cath Crowley> I am from Melbourne. I've been to Meekatharra in WA - and loved it. So incredibly beautiful. I have NO sense of direction. That's not near the kimberly, is it?

<[G]Cath Crowley> Have you been to Melbourne before, anyone?

<anna8> I think you captured their way of talking really well, at times it looked to me like I was watching "texting" kids

<[G]Cath Crowley> Helene, I just read your line about the cosmos. I love it.

<[G]Cath Crowley> Thanks Anna. A few people have said that. I like the feel of short, sharp dialouge

<[G]Cath Crowley> Hi Jessica, what books do you like to read?

<[G]Cath Crowley> Who is The Little One? That's a great chat name. Do you write?

<anna8> Love Melbourne!!! must be really great city for writers looking for inspiration.

<asha-rose> a few of us have been to melbourne, and they liked it. No the Kimberley is the very northern part of Western Australia. The kids would like to show you some big crocs when you get here! It is also, a very very beautiful part of Australia.

<helene> Cath I have enjoyed reading everyones comments and especially your answers. I am a bad typist the word was meant to be tells not tells butI am glad you liked it

<[G]Cath Crowley> I love Melbourne too, Asha - but where you are is quite inspirational too. Do you think it would make a good setting for a book?

<HayleyCrandell> I live in Melbourne, and it is a great place to be a writer, mostly because there's lots of writing communities to get involved with. But I think a lot of the writers in Melb would be jealous of you guys in WA, with so much natural beauty to provide inspiration!

<[G]Cath Crowley> Helene, I'm a terrible typist too!

<[G]Cath Crowley> I think they would be jealous too! WA has such a great landscape. Do you write, Hayley

<helene> I still got it wrong tells not yells.

<[G]Cath Crowley> Hi Bubble Girl!

<asha-rose> the kids all said "yes!!!!". Thank you very much for answering our questions! we have some spelling work to attend to! we will see you soon!

<Zebra> Cath, are you writing another book. If so, when will it be available?

<[G]Cath Crowley> Does anyone have a favourite character in a book?

<HayleyCrandell> No Cath - I'm a terrible writer! But I love to read

<Zebra> Will it follow on from Graffiti Moon

<bubblegirl13> hi!

<[G]Cath Crowley> Hi Zebra, I'm writing a book called The Howling Boy. I think it comes out in Australia in 2013. What's your favourite character?

<Zebra> I liked Shadow.

<[G]Cath Crowley> I'm sure you're not a terrible writer, Hayley! But I love reading too. I would read all day if I could

<[G]Cath Crowley> No, Zebra. Although it's quite similar in style to Graff Moon.

<xjessirae> Does that mean 2014 for U.S.?

<[G]Cath Crowley> Hi bAck, Bubble Girl. Do you have a faouvrite character in a book?

<[G]Cath Crowley> I'm not sure about the US, Jessie. Will let you know.,

<bubblegirl13> ther are so many to choose from, i can't decide

<[G]Cath Crowley> Thanks Zebra. I like Shadow too. I think because he reminds me of students I've taught.

<xjessirae> My favorite character is Lucy!

<Zebra> dark, mysterious... I liked Lucy too. She's very real.

<xjessirae> I agree. She was very realistic.

<[G]Cath Crowley> I know! It's so hard to choose, BG. Do you mind if I call you BG? it's too long the other way. I like to make lists of my favourite characters and my favourite words. I LOVE doing that. Does anyone have a favourite word? Mine is spagettification at the moment and I am SO not spelling that right. I think it means being sucked into a black hole

<Zebra> Which authors have insipred you / DO you have a favorite book or books?

<bubblegirl13> team lucy all the way!

<[G]Cath Crowley> Thanks Zebra. I like Lucy too. She's a bit quirky. But I think we're all quirky, full of strange habits. I sleepwalk. That's quirky. Does anyone else do that?

<bubblegirl13> yeah, i love BG

<[G]Cath Crowley> BG that's hilarious. Lucy team, yah! I think I'm on Poet's team too

<bubblegirl13> my fave word is Goku Face!

<xjessirae> And Lucy has this spunk that I just love!

<[G]Cath Crowley> ????Goku face??? I love it.

<HayleyCrandell> What does Goku Face mean?

<[G]Cath Crowley> I know - I wish I was spunkier in spirit too. Maybe that's why she's like that. Not that I'm saying you should break a guy's nose

<xjessirae> I loved Poet! I wish we got to know him more. He was great

<[G]Cath Crowley> Especially on the first date...

<bubblegirl13> thanks! Goku face!

<HayleyCrandell> I've read Six Impossible Things too and it was so sweet and brilliant. Are there any other books you'd recommend Cath?

<[G]Cath Crowley> Zebra, I love so many books - I am dying to read A Fault in Our Stars...

<xjessirae> Haha. I don't know. But that punch makes her unforgettable!

<[G]Cath Crowley> Oh, isn't Dan GORGEOUS! And Estelle! I would love to live in a house with an attic and play the cello.

<HayleyCrandell> And PS what's The Howling Boy about?

<[G]Cath Crowley> Does anyone sing here or play an instrument?

<bubblegirl13> anyway, gotta go but love the book! bye Cath

<xjessirae> I like to sing, but I don't think I'm very good.

<[G]Cath Crowley> The Howling Boy is about this secret club, a place where you can be anyone you want to be. And it's a love story, bit of a mystery...

<HayleyCrandell> +1

<[G]Cath Crowley> Hey, Little One, are you there?

<anna8> One of my favorite YA novels has been How we live now, have anybody read it?

<[G]Cath Crowley> +1?

<[G]Cath Crowley> By BG! you're going to leave without explaining goku face?

<HayleyCrandell> What Jessi said: "I like to sing but don't think I'm very good"

<[G]Cath Crowley> I like to sing but I'm not very good. EVERYONE in my family is musical but I can't play a note.

<[G]Cath Crowley> My nieces play the cello and the ukele and the piano and they sing...

<[G]Cath Crowley> I can't wait to read The Hunger Games. I haven't yet. But I must before the film.

<xjessirae> That's awesome, Cath! I wish I could play the Cello or any instrument at all. lol

<[G]Cath Crowley> I know. I listen to them and wish, wish, wish I'd kept the piano up.

<[G]Cath Crowley> Is anyone else working on a novel here?

<Zebra> Nooooo

<[G]Cath Crowley> lol Zebra. How about you, Asha?

<anna8> in my dreams... I leave this to people that know how to do it really well

<[G]Cath Crowley> Zebra, where are you from? The US or AUS?

<xjessirae> I wish I could write. I'm more of a reader. lol

<[G]Cath Crowley> What are you reading at the moment, Jess?

<xjessirae> I'm reading Starters by Lissa Price. It' comes out March 13, here.

<[G]Cath Crowley> I will have to check it out, Jessie!

<[G]Cath Crowley> Thanks for all the questions, guys. Do you have any more before we finish the chat?

<Zebra> US

<[G]Cath Crowley> Hi Karen!

<xjessirae> Do you ever plan on touring in the US? Would love to meet you in person!

<Zebra> Who wrote a Fault in our Stars? I don't know it.

<[G]Cath Crowley> That's great to hear - it's exciting to be chatting with people from the US. It's good to know that the book crossed oceans okay

<xjessirae> The Fault in our Stars is by John Green

<[G]Cath Crowley> A fault in our stars is John Green - have you read his other stuff?

<Zebra> No

<[G]Cath Crowley> I'm not sure, Jessie, but if I do I will tweet and let you know

<Karenkingbell> HI there

<xjessirae> Awesome Thanks Cath!<3

<[G]Cath Crowley> I loved John Green's looking for Alaska and Paper Towns and an Abundance of Katherines

<[G]Cath Crowley> Where are you from, Karen?

<xjessirae> Me too! I adore John Green. Still have to read TFIOS, though.

<Karenkingbell> I'm from Florida

<Karenkingbell> I'm trying to break into my first published picture book.

<[G]Cath Crowley> I can't wait, Jessie. I think it will be awazing

<[G]Cath Crowley> Awazing? Amazing too

<[G]Cath Crowley> Florida! I'd love to go there. Picture books are hard - I've never been able to write one. The language has to be so precise

<[G]Cath Crowley> What's the picture book about?

<xjessirae> lol! I think it will be too. I heard so much good things. My blogger friends said they cried!

<Karenkingbell> It's about a chameleon who can't change to one color, she turns into patterns instead.

<[G]Cath Crowley> Asha, do you have a favourite picture book? Mine is The Red Tree. And I'm very parial to Dr Zeuss

<Karenkingbell> Florida is a great place to live.

<[G]Cath Crowley> I know - I have tissues ready, Jess!

<[G]Cath Crowley> That sounds fantastic, Karen!

<[G]Cath Crowley> So much scope for language and fun in that idea.

<Karenkingbell> I just need to have some agent or pushing company pick me up, so hard.

<Karenkingbell> I have written other books as well, all picture books.

<[G]Cath Crowley> ARe there crocodiles, Karen?

<Karenkingbell> No crocodiles, not yet anyway.

<[G]Cath Crowley> It is hard, Karen, but keep trying. If you love it, you have to keep going anyway, don't you? It took me a long time to get picked up but you have to enjoy the journey too. You're a writer, so you can't do anything else but write.

<Karenkingbell> So true, thank you! I'll keep on trying.

<[G]Cath Crowley> I always imagined there would be. Is Karen Russel's book Swamplandia set there?

<Karenkingbell> I'm not familiar with it.

<Karenkingbell> Probably though.

<[G]Cath Crowley> Oh, read it! And her book of short stories too. I think you'll love them

<Karenkingbell> We have lots of swampland here.

<anna8> ... but Swamplandia is full of Seths I loved that story!

<Karenkingbell> I will, absolutely!

<[G]Cath Crowley> Anna, you've read it! Have you read her short stories? The one about the insomnia balloon?

<[G]Cath Crowley> And the one about the wolves and the one about the Minotaur. If you like her I think you'd love Kelly Link too

<anna8> I have never read anything else by her but I will search it out as the voices in Swamplandia are unforgettable and the story is great

<[G]Cath Crowley> It's been wonderful talking to you all - a BIG shout out to Derby - thanks for being online. And the Howling Boy is out in AUS in 2013. So maybe then we can chat again! Good luck with the writing. And it has been a pleasure talking to people who love books as much as me! Thank you.

<[G]Cath Crowley> I agree, Anna

<HayleyCrandell> Thank you Cath!

<[A]The Reading Room> Thank you for chatting with us today Cath! It was so wonderful of you to come!

<Karenkingbell> I LOVE redaing to my children, so I'm always looking for books they will love as much as the Llama Llama series by Ann Dewdney

<[G]Cath Crowley> Thanks Haley!

<xjessirae> Thanks Cath! <3

<Karenkingbell> Thank you!

<[G]Cath Crowley> Anything with a Llama in it has me on board

<[A]The Reading Room> And thank you everyone for being here and for your great questions!

<[G]Cath Crowley> Thanks for having me, ReadingRoom!

<anna8> Thanks for chatting with us, I will be on the look out for your new novel next year!

<[G]Cath Crowley> Thanks Anna!

<Zebra> Thanks for talking to us. Really loved it.

<xjessirae> It's been awesome Cath! I hope we get to do this again! Thank you<3

<[G]Cath Crowley> Thanks Zebra - thanks for such great questions and comments. Am def using that name for a character

<[G]Cath Crowley> See you Jessie! chat soon \

< Karenkingbell> By Cath!

<Karenkingbell> Bye I meant

<xjessirae> Bye!

<[G]Cath Crowley> by Karen! Good luck with the book

<Karenkingbell> Distracted by toddlers

<Karenkingbell> Thank you!!!

<[G]Cath Crowley> Toddlers give you idea too though! But they make it hard to get the headspace to use them

<Karenkingbell> Yes, my son has inspired much by the way of book characters.

<[G]Cath Crowley> I'm sure he has. Imagine how he'll feel when you finish and read it to him. Lovely.

<Karenkingbell> I can't wait for those moments.

<[G]Cath Crowley> You can write a picture book about them!

<Karenkingbell> My little ones are amazing. He's 4 and my little girl is 2 1/2

<[G]Cath Crowley> Bye everyone!

<Karenkingbell> Yes, I really should.

<Karenkingbell> Bye

Cath Crowley in conversation with the Sydney Writers' Centre on writing, rewriting and throwing out your drafts.

bubblegirl13 commented on Cath Crowley's profile

hey, if you were on the Live chat, Goku Face was just a saying that my friend Tina made up. hope that explanation works for all for you.

bye:)

2 months ago...

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Cath Crowley

Biography

Live chat (transcript)

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