Finding the Funny in the everyday…especially in Children’s Fiction
Harper Drew is fabulously funny! It is great to read Kathy’s blog post below about where Harper Drew came from!
Creating the world of Harper Drew has been hilarious and a total joy to write. One of the things I have always loved to do is to see the funny side to ordinary situations. Things that happen every day to all of us.
Much of the inspiration for What’s New, Harper Drew? is taken from my own family and my own childhood experiences. I wanted to write about an ordinary family. But I have realised that there is no such thing. All families are different, brilliant, and hilarious in their own way.
And Harper’s family is no different. There is chaos and drama happening all the time. Take Harper’s brother Troy. He is effortlessly popular with everyone at school. And has just started his own super cool skateboard Vlog. But… guess what… he only owns half a skateboard.
Then, there is Harper’s Dad. How many school minibuses can one man crash or lose?
And this is before we mention the Drew family summer holiday. Let’s just say… it doesn’t quite go to plan. There’s rogue Llamas on the loose, a bed full of bats and a roadside rescue when the family run out of petrol… just outside a petrol station.
The book is Harper’s diary of her mayhem filled world which she manages to navigate with her two best friends Priya and Edward. There’s a lot of fun, laughter… and a lot of eye rolls too!
Writing a diary, is a wonderful opportunity to get right inside the mind of your main character. Harper Drew is a little bit like me (but more confident, I think) so I was able to understand her feelings, thoughts, and emotions as she reacts to all of the things going on in her world.
The story made me laugh out loud as I was writing it. And I wanted that for the readers too. Laughter helps to reduce anxiety and build self-esteem and foster friendships. So, creating a world which children find funny and can escape to was important to me. Harper Drew has an inner confidence which is born out of being able to see the humour in ordinary situations. I hope that children will take inspiration from her and her outlook on life.
I also wanted to encourage children who have been reluctant readers. A book which they can relate to and laugh at will hopefully make them want to keep reading to the end and through the rest of the Harper Drew series.
There is much more chaos and fun still to come from Harper and her family.
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