What first drew you to writing stories for young readers?
From high school on I wanted to be a writer, but it was only after I’d become a father and a primary school teacher that I really discovered who I wanted to write for, and my writing voice. Reading and sharing lots of children’s stories, and seeing children engaged in books, I realised it was something I wanted to do. I submitted a first story to a children’s publisher, it got accepted, and I’ve been writing ever since.
How do you balance creating engaging storylines with building literacy skills?
My primary thought with any piece of writing is to make it engaging – first and foremost. If children are engaged, then they’ll want to read. I believe the skills will flow on from that. I ask myself:
“How is this story or article going to grab attention?”
“What will keep them reading?”
“A plant that’s evolved to be a shrew toilet? Tell me more!”
During the drafting stage, I (or the editor) can tailor the language and structure to include target skills and vocabulary – but the story comes first. I think it’s important not to be too prescriptive or weigh a text down with too many learning outcomes.
What role do images and design play in keeping students engaged with the text?
A huge part. I often feel that the character or setting an artist creates are what young readers connect with more than my words on the page. For instance, Gavin Mouldey’s characterisation and point of view for different scenes really brings the Josh Jones series to life. I see him as a co-author.
Design is just as important as text – having a clear, eye-catching design is vital in creating engagement. Watch a young reader first pick up a book, and quite often they’ll flip through to check out the images first and then see if they want to read.
If teachers take away just one thing from your Story Seekers books, what do you hope it is?
There’s an article or a story out there that even your most reluctant young reader will connect with – sometimes it’s just about helping them to find the right one. Story Seekers are chock full of good reads.
Who is your favourite children’s author who never fails to inspire you and why?
Roald Dahl. His books really gripped me as a young reader. A line from his last book goes “… watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places …”. It’s something I try to remember as an author and share with young writers. There’s magic all around us all the time, we just need to look and catch it in words.
If you could step inside one of your own stories for a day, which would it be?
Story Seekers – The World’s Greatest. I fancy the idea of holding a world record in something!
About Paul Mason
Inspired by his own family and from his time as a primary school teacher, Paul likes to write stories that get young readers turning pages. Paul has an extensive body of published work crossing a range of genres, including the novels The International Yeti Collective and Shadowspring. He lives on an island in Aotearoa New Zealand, and can be found with a little book and a fountain pen in his hands, catching ideas before they disappear.
