Today on Meet the Author we’re featuring Brenton Cullen. Brenton is passionate about writing stories from the heart for children and young adults. He has written articles and interviewed authors for such publications as Books+Publishing, Magpies, Writing QLD and Good Reading. He is the 2023 recipient of the Ian Wilson Memorial Fellowship, bestowed by the May Gibbs Children's Literature Trust, and the winner of the 2024 Just Write For Kids Pitch It! Competition (Middle-Grade Category).
His first release with Rhiza Press is Meena’s Moving Day, a story about two girls who share a bedroom. Then Dad clears out the sunroom and Meena feels ready for her very own room. But little sister Lina is not ready to let her go.
What’s your favourite part of your latest release?
It’s always been a personal dream to see a picture book I wrote be published, so this is a true pinch-me moment. I am so thrilled to see Meena’s Moving Day out into the world for readers to enjoy. Apart from achieving that dream, my absolute favourite part is the stunning artwork by Jennifer Horn. She captured the text so perfectly and truly enhanced it. Seeing her terrific illustrations in our book has been the absolute best.
Where did the inspiration for your latest release come from?
When I was growing up, I shared a room with my sisters. A couple of years later, when my brother was born, I shared a room with him. I wished I could have my own room to have my friends over or to have space to spread out my things or to just sit and read without someone else intruding on my quiet time. I used to dream about how I would decorate my very own bedroom—mostly, I dreamed about all the bookshelves I would have in my room!
Finally, when I was thirteen, we moved to a new house and I got my very own bedroom. I liked having my own space. It was important to have a space where I could read books and write stories and draw pictures and hang out with my friends. When I was thinking of an idea for a new story to write, I thought about the important feelings and emotions from my childhood. I tried to think of a universal theme that kids of any culture, in any country, might respond to and I think having your own space, whether it be a physical space or a mental space, to make your own is something that all kids can relate to.
Where is your favourite place to write?
In my little spare bedroom in our house, which is now my official writing office. It’s very cosy, and cluttered with books and papers and knick-knacks, all sorts of special things. There is a desk and a chair with the computer and also a comfy beanbag, which is what I often gravitate towards. I like knowing it’s my own space and that it’s a room for the creative act of writing. Seeing all my favourite books on the bookcase beside my desk helps inspire me as I work on my own stories, so it’s my favourite place to be.
What’s the most rewarding part of your writing journey?
Meeting young readers at schools and libraries has been the best part. So many kids are keen writers and illustrators and readers, and getting to hear their questions, see their creativity and imagination soar, and talk to them about books has been really rewarding.
What were some of your favourite books growing up?
As a kid, I loved The Worst Witch, Milly-Molly-Mandy, the Hannah series by Libby Gleeson, The Shadow Thief, Moving Molly, Whispering to Witches, The Apartment Book, Thunderwith, The Famous Five series, Harry Potter, Bailey School Kids, The Magic Faraway Tree, The Baby-Sitters Club, Beatrix Potter stories, and lots of others. I read anything and everything! I never discriminated; I read any book that came my way. I had some particular favourite authors like Dianne Bates, Libby Hathorn, Jackie French and Duncan Ball. I read as many of their books as I could find.
What genres do you read? Do you read more frequently in the genre you write in or avoid it completely?
Right now, I read lots of children’s books, from picture books to young adult, as well as biographies for adults and murder mystery fiction. I also love verse novels. I think it’s important to read in the genre you write in because it helps keep you abreast of what’s currently out there. I think reading also makes you a better writer; I know I always feel inspired to make my stories better after I finish reading another author’s book that I really loved.
When I’m in the midst of writing a book, however, say, a realistic contemporary middle-grade, then I avoid reading another author’s realistic contemporary middle-grade as I don’t want to subconsciously borrow their ideas. That’s mostly during the first draft. When I have the plot of a book I’m writing pretty solidly in my mind already. Then I read books in the same genre because it helps me to strive to make my final drafts stronger, no longer having to worry about pinching any ideas!
What advice would you give to writers just starting out?
If you love to write, then write. Don't worry that your story isn’t 'good enough'. Don’t worry if you run out of steam and your story lasts only a few pages. Don’t worry if the first draft is messy or full of spelling mistakes or plot holes. Don't worry if your friends don't like writing. Don’t worry if your stories don’t sound like the books in the shop. Those writers started exactly where you are.
It doesn’t matter where you live, where you were born, what your parents do for work, how much money you have, what colour your eyes or your hair are, if you've lived in the country all your life, or if you've never been out of the city. Writers come from everywhere.
Just write for yourself because it’s something you like to do. And never, ever stop having FUN!
What would you like to tell the budding authors who lose motivation if a few of their works don't do well?
Never give up (no matter what). It’s not easy to be a writer. It’s not easy to try and get published. And it's really not easy to see everyone around you succeeding (at least, that’s what it looks like!) But before you worry too much, remember your ‘why’—why are you a writer? Because you love being completely immersed in creating a story? Or because you want to make millions of dollars? Which reason do you think is best?
I tried for years and years to get published and received nothing but constant rejection (I once received five rejection letters in a single day). I kept getting frustrated. I was determined to quit. I even decided I would retrain as a librarian. But even with my stories getting rejections (which happens to every author, even after they've had books published), I had to keep reminding myself why I wanted to be a writer—because I really love the craft of writing itself. That was my 'why'! Being focused on the process is the important part, not worrying about the product.
So keep going, don’t compare your journey with anyone else’s and remember your ‘why’. If you give up, your dream of being an author will never come true. But if you keep going, it will, because that means you believe in yourself. And hope. Hope is the fuel writers run on.
You can find out more about Meena’s Moving Day here.
You can follow Brenton on his website and social media:
Website: www.brentoncullen.com
Instagram: @brenton_cullen
Facebook: Brenton Cullen – Children’s Author
Email: brentoncullen71@gmail.com