Wenda Shurety, or Wobbly Wenda, is a children’s author, scientist and archer. She loves to write from the heart about nature, diversity and the magical world of the imagination. Wenda was born in London and began her career in science, studying Biochemistry at the University of Surrey and Cell Biology at the University of Cambridge. She worked in a laboratory in New York, then moved to Australia to work as a scientist at the University of Queensland. There she met her husband, started a family, and now calls Australia home. Wenda has written Pear of Hope to encourage hope. She has lived with Multiple Sclerosis for twenty years and hasn’t let it stop her. Hope has been instrumental with her journey, and she aims to share it with others so that it might help them, too.
Today, Wenda Shurety is on the blog to answer our Ten Terrifying Questions! Read on …
Wenda Shurety
1. To begin with why don’t you tell us a little bit about yourself – where were you born? Raised? Schooled?
I was born in London and raised in the beautiful county of Norfolk, England. At school, I excelled at maths and science (not writing) and was promptly steered towards a career in science. After a lot of studying, I became a scientist researching cells. After my daughter was born, everything changed, and I discovered the joy of words…
2. What did you want to be when you were twelve, eighteen and thirty? And why?
When I was twelve, I loved watching nature documentaries on TV and wanted to research animal behaviour. When I was eighteen, the inner workings of cells fascinated me and I wanted to become a cell biology researcher and lecturer. When I was thirty, I felt I was on the wrong career path and started to explore other career options.
3. What strongly held belief did you have at eighteen that you don’t have now?
It just dawned on me as I answered the question above. At eighteen, I believed that once you chose a career path, then that was it. Your career was then set in stone for the rest of your life. How wrong I was! Looking back, I’ve worked in many areas including scientific research, management, editing, administration, fundraising and copywriting.
4. What are three works of art – this could be a book, painting, piece of music, film, etc – that influenced your development as a writer?
The Paper Dolls by Julia Donaldson was one of the first picture books I read to my daughter when she was young. It blew me away how a few carefully chosen words could evoke such a wide range of emotions. The story still makes me tear up today. Also, I noticed how Julia used subtlety and repetition in her writing, techniques I use when writing picture book stories.
His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman is a book series you can read again and again throughout your life. It’s my go to comfort book. Philip’s ability to create new worlds and to weave in science and social commentary is masterful.
The Overstory by Richard Powers is a novel that cemented my love for nature, trees and the environment. Richard also weaved science into his writing and the important message that humanity needs to honour the environment before it’s too late. Wherever possible, I now like to include nature in my stories.
5. Considering the many artistic forms out there, what appeals to you about writing a children’s book?
Writing a picture book is like scientific writing; it’s precise and condensed, with no superfluous words. I love how it is often both simple and clever. If you’re lucky, you can write a great picture book story in an hour. Although more often than not, I have to rewrite the story over and over, then continue resubmitting it until a publisher bites.
‘I wrote Pear of Hope to provide comfort and to inspire any children who are struggling to feel positive, whatever journey they may be on.’
6. Please tell us about your latest book!
Anna loves the old pear tree that lives at the bottom of the garden. When she becomes seriously ill, her relationship with the tree provides comfort and peace on her journey, particularly when she plants a seed from one of the tree’s pears. Pear of Hope is the story of a little girl with cancer and her tale of recovery. This is intertwined with the growth of a pear tree, which symbolises the enigmatic concept of hope.
7. What do you hope people take away with them after reading your work?
I wrote Pear of Hope to provide comfort and to inspire any children who are struggling to feel positive, whatever journey they may be on. Living with Multiple Sclerosis, hope has been instrumental in my healing process. I realised hope has an important role for many people living with difficult circumstances or health conditions. Throughout my life, I experienced family members and friends living with cancer. Some lost their lives and some recovered. In both situations, hope played a vital part in their journey. I hope the story is a gentle introduction to building a more positive outlook in the face of any struggle.
8. Who do you most admire in the writing world and why?
Both Julia Donaldson, for her prolific writing skills and her wise words, and Juliet Marrilier, for her exquisite folk/fairytale-like stories which help me to escape during tough times.
Also, anyone who can write a novel greater than 30,000 words. I’ve attempted to write a middle grade story and have found it a hard task!
9. Many artists set themselves very ambitious goals. What are yours?
I’d love to write a screenplay or a film script because I’m a visual writer and love dialogue. Maybe one day … watch this space!
10. Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?
Never give up!
Also, try to read books of all genres. I read every day and often read a novel in a week. I tend to avoid picture books though, so I’m not influenced by other ideas and stories.
Thanks Wenda!
—Pear of Hope by Wenda Shurety and illustrated by Deb Hudson (Exisle Publishing) is out now.
Pear of Hope
Pear of Hope is the story of a little girl with cancer and her tale of recovery. This is intertwined with the growth of a pear tree, which symbolises the enigmatic concept of hope...
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