A RURAL upbringing is still evident in the writings of children’s author Allayne Webster.
Allayne grew up in Kingston SE, and while having lived in Adelaide for a number of years with husband Darryl and son Dillon, she still finds inspiration from country life.
“My rural background certainly influences my writing,” she said.
“Some of the places I put my stories in have a rural flavour or are rural.”
Two of her latest books, to be launched in February and March this year, follow that trend with one set in Mildura, Vic, and the other in Robe.
One of her latest books was also a collaboration with sister Amanda Clarke.
Allayne, who has published seven books in the past decade, caters to a wide audience in children’s literature, from junior fiction to young adult.
Her settings are as various as Paris, war-torn Serbia and even a farm – such as was the case of Barnsey, a story about a boy with a loud sheep.
“My inspiration is fairly diverse – it’s usually sparked by a little grain or nugget that scratches at me,” she said.
“It can be from a time or a place, what’s in the media, people in my life.”
For her latest young adult novel, The Centre of My Everything, the idea came eight years ago.
“Writing is not always a linear process, I had three books published in between (starting and publishing),” she said.
She said the decision to set it in the “large country town” of Mildura came from a number of places.
One was an old newspaper article on an issue with flooding in the cemetery, another was the fact that Mildura is close to Willandra Lakes in NSW – a World Heritage Site where a body was found.
This linked in with her theme of a body discovered.
“There is this sense of country town and big secrets,” she said.
“In country towns, we like to think we know everyone but we don’t necessarily.”
Another family tie helped, with her stepfather Peter growing up there.
The book is dedicated to him.
“I wanted to write about Aboriginal families as I have been part of one,” she said.
Allayne said this book also served as another sort of collaboration and link with Kingston.
Her childhood friend, country music singer Bec Willis, has allowed the lyrics of one of her songs to be printed in the book.
The two will also sing together at the book launch.
Allayne said she is also working on another book, which is presently set in Kingston, but this may change during the writing process.
Siblings create a tribute to lifestyle
A FIRST-time collaboration between sisters Allayne Webster and Amanda Clarke has come to fruition with their children’s book to be launched in March.
Sam’s Surfboard Showdown is set in Robe, where Amanda lives.
Allayne said this was a location known to both of them, having grown up in Kingston SE.
“It is a privilege to be able to write something set in a landscape where I grew up,” she said.
“In a country town a lot of these places revolve around sport.
“Cricket and footy have already been covered a lot, so we thought why not something about surfing?”
Allayne said there were quite a few phone calls and emails to get the story together.
“Working with a sister, there has to be respect and a bit of give and take and I think we were pretty good at doing that,” she said.
The book’s cover is from a painting by Amanda, with her illustrations also throughout.
The Centre of My Everything will be launched on February 25 at the Governor Hindmarsh Hotel, Hindmarsh.
Sam's Surfing Showdown will be launched on March 14 at the Robe Primary School.
- Details: More information: allaynewebster.com