I love creative interpretations of my stories, from those first collaborative peeks at an illustrator’s artwork, all the way through to stage and street theatre adaptations. My ‘Light’ series has inspired all kinds of reworking. Lighthouse Girl and Light Horse Boy were inspiration for a Black Swan Theatre stage adaptation in Perth/Albany which then toured regional WA. […]
Now that I’ve caught my breath after returning from my whirlwind UK book launch and schools tour, I can at last share some of the lovely photos. The Harefield Library and Harefield History Society both gave generous support, making the UK launch of In the Lamplight a friendly and memorable occasion. Library staff decorated their function […]
Imagine being a wallaby in a small English village during WWI. Jimmy (sometimes referred to as Jimony) was one of many Australian animals taken to WWI as mascots to cheer the troops and to remind them of home. Jimmy’s story is both strange and sad … Researching this wallaby was time-consuming. There were differing accounts surrounding […]
So many stories came to light during three years+ of research. Each one worthy of its own book. The Anzac Flag and Harefield Quilt are two objects that captured the patriotic mood of the time. Both keepsakes survive one hundred years later; one in Harefield and the other in South Australia. The Anzac Flag: Last week, […]
What were the first seeds of inspiration? After years of researching and writing, it’s interesting to look back at how a book started. The idea for In the Lamplight began with research for its partner titles, Lighthouse Girl and Light Horse Boy. Then around 2012, I heard about the Gilgandra Coo-ee March. After heavy losses at […]
With less than a month until publication I’m now on countdown to the launch of In the Lamplight the third and final book in my ‘Light’ series. From today, I’ll be writing a weekly blog post sharing details about my research and writing journey, but first, I’d like to acknowledge the generous support of the […]
See In the Lamplight blog posts for information and background details for this story. In the Lamplight is a 2019 CBCA Notable Book and was serialised in The West Australian newspaper’s ED! supplement. Written by Dianne Wolfer, Illustrated by Brian Simmonds Published by Fremantle Press, 2018 Teaching Notes and Activity More Details Buy now: Fremantle […]
With Remembrance Day this Saturday and the final draft of my new manuscript going to print, it feels timely to share a sneak peek of the cover of this third title in my ‘Light’ series. In the Lamplight is a companion novel for my historical titles Lighthouse Girl and Light Horse Boy. The story follows fictitious […]
… nor keep a diary. In earlier ‘Light’ series titles, Lighthouse Girl, Light Horse Boy and In the Lamplight, I used point-of-view switches between 1st person and 3rd person to add layers. I couldn’t do this for The Last Light Horse. Researching and writing about a wartime horse was challenging. I needed to add layers […]
How lovely to see Light Horse Boy back in The West Australian newspaper’s ED! lift out. For those who’ve been following the WWI story, it’s now Week Seven and Jim has been evacuated from battle with terrible wounds. Back in Melbourne, his sister, Alice, and Jim’s mate, Chook are desperate to hear news of him. […]
Download Teachers’ Notes (pdf) Written by Dianne WolferIllustrated by Brian SimmondsPublished by Fremantle Press, April 2022 CBCA Notable Book 2023 Adapted for CineStage by Theatre 180 Buyfrom your local bookshop or fromFremantle Press (Australia)Booktopia (Australia)Book Depository (UK)Amazon (UK) Listen to Dianne read the first page. Read an article about the ‘Light’ series on the Chauvel […]
Today we farewell Don Watson, the son of Lighthouse Girl, Fay. Don will be sadly missed. He and his family have been part of my ‘Light series’ writing journey from the beginning and we have shared many wonderful moments since. In 2005, after reading a newspaper article written by Ron Crittall about WWI troops gathering […]
Dear Lockdowners, many authors have free activities, book-trailers, and fun information on their websites, along with teaching notes and downloadables. Earlier this year the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators WA (SCBWI) compiled a resources page that will keep you busy for hours. Author, Nadia King‘s lovely Pippa likes to dress up as the […]
This Remembrance Day I’m especially remembering the nurses. Who would’ve thought four years ago when I was researching the WWI Spanish Influenza pandemic for In the Lamplight that we’d be in the situation we’re now in? In 1918-1919, nurses risked their lives to care for vulnerable patients. Their dedication was a major inspiration for my […]
Autobiography Available to download from Amazon.com
Who doesn’t love learning about the past through a great story? Historical Fiction is one of my favourite genres, so it was a pleasure to chat with award-winning Elaine Forrestal and learn about her latest book as part of the Fremantle Press podcast series. You can hear the show here (the audio levels improve as […]
Librarians are superheroes. All year they inspire a love of reading and research by making their libraries dynamic and exciting places to visit. Then in Children’s Bookweek they shift into Overdrive. My visit to Bunbury Catholic College today took things a step further … The students have been studying Lighthouse Girl as well as partner […]
I feel as if I’ve been channelling Charles Dickens lately and was going to write this post last week, but my fractured foot and shoulder cause more tiredness than expected. ‘It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness …’ Four […]
Thank you teachers, librarians, booksellers, readers and the teams at Fremantle Press, Penguin Random House, Black Swan Theatre, the Literature Centre and CBCA for your support throughout 2018. It’s certainly been an eventful year, with the publication of two new books, In the Lamplight and The Dog with Seven Names, a UK launch and book tour, Candlewick’s […]
Brian Simmonds and I are both spring- cleaning, and we’ve found fifteen more images for the November sale. Anyone who has already contacted me to express interest should have received an email with these images by now. Please advise if you haven’t. Free pick-up delivery is possible for Albany and Perth. Large concept sketches for In the Lamplight […]
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