This month I have two Kelly’s Writerly Q&As to share!

First up is R.W.R. McDonald (Rob) a Melbourne-based Kiwi author who has published an award-winning fiction series, Nancys, he’s a creative writing tutor/mentor, podcaster/co-founder of Queer Writes Sessions (QWS), and now a picture book author of Happy Millionth Birthday!

Kelly: Welcome Rob. Thanks for taking the time to answer some writerly questions and congratulations on publishing your first picture book, Happy Millionth Birthday, what’s it about?

Rob: Thanks Kelly! Happy Millionth Birthday is about Jack Wolf who loves having his birthday, so much so that he wishes every day was his birthday – and his wish comes true. His poor mum! Each day he has a birthday he grows old, while all his friends and mum stay the same. It is a fun story, with lots of presents and cake, and excellent, colourful party illustrations by Alexandra Colombo.

Kelly: I love this premise! Thank you for sending me a copy, this book is one big celebration and it made me laugh. Before Happy Millionth Birthday, you wrote a short story featuring your award-winning Nancys for the Dark Deeds Down Under crime fiction anthology, what inspired you to write a picture book?

Rob: I have been writing picture books for myself since my 20s. I was drawn to the infinite possibilities, hope and magic of picture book stories. Creating these characters and worlds in 500 words is just the best! I guess it was my form of short story writing. Along the way I did some picture book writing courses and so had a drawer of half-finished manuscripts. It wasn’t until after my second novel was published that I thought, why don’t I spend some time on these and try to get published?

Kelly: This is so wholesome, and I love how you were able to revive some old manuscripts! How do you find picture book writing versus crime writing, do you have a favourite?

Rob: I love them both so much and for quite different reasons. Crime fiction lets me go dark whereas picture books make me go light – which is a great balance. I love that with both you can explore really big questions and themes, and also have fun and be a bit ridiculous. I always find it incredible when you have completed the first draft of a crime fiction manuscript, and the patterns and discoveries you make. With picture books, I cannot wait to see what an illustrator brings to the story and how this combination of people makes something so much bigger than the sum of its parts. I definitely want to keep doing both for as long as I can.

Kelly: This is music to my ears. I have to admit, that I have dabbled in many writing forms and genres, and my dream is to be an author who can write a variety of stories without having to stick to one type. What does your typical day of writing look like, has it changed from when you published your debut novel The Nancys?

Rob: Mornings and evenings are my best time to write. I am lucky to have a non-writing job where I can manage my hours around that – depending on the project. That is the biggest change as when I was writing The Nancys I was in a 9-5pm job (pre-Covid) where I would commute to work. So I would write notes on my train trip, and write at lunch times and around my office job.

Kelly: It’s funny how routine dictates our writing. I can only write when my house is clean and my life admin is under control which can be problematic. Some writers say that every time they sit down to write a new story they forget how it’s done. Do you agree with that statement or do you feel more confident than ever?

Rob: Ha! Absolutely agree with the former statement. I think also each novel project I want to stretch myself, trying something new, and it is always because of the story idea that has presented itself. For picture books, I had done several courses but it was all very new getting published. One of the greatest resources is YouTube, I often look up writing advice on it, as well as all the wonderful blog articles on specific writing areas that I want to deep dive into. So I guess that is a very long answer to say I am confident to jump in but still learning like everyone else!

Kelly: Thank you for reminding me to use YouTube as a writing resource, I tend to only go there for tech tips.

Kelly: Let’s go back to where it all began, how did The Nancys come to life?

Rob: The Nancys first appeared in 2006, when I decided I wanted to try writing a murder mystery with amateur sleuths. I had just finished a six-month script writing course where I had written a first draft of a fantasy adventure and then wrote a horror script, all to learn how to write really. So next was going to be this murder mystery which I then figured out would actually be better as a novel, and then when I plotted further realised it would be a trilogy. Then my first child was born the next year, and my second the year after, and writing was put on the back burner. It wasn’t until after I completed my MBA in that third space – kids, work, study – that I saw an ad for Faber Academy, Writing a Novel – that I thought it was now or never to prioritise my writing (I never had), and use that study time for writing. So, in 2016 I wrote my first draft of The Nancys with Faber under the tutelage of Paddy O’Reilly and Toni Jordan. The following year I submitted a ‘Frankenstein draft’ (half draft 2 and half draft 3) to the Victorian Premiers Unpublished Manuscript Awards and was highly commended. From there I got my wonderful agent, who then worked with me on getting a draft ready for submission. Ended up signing with Jane Palfryman at Allen & Unwin.

Kelly: Thanks for sharing your journey with me. It’s encouraging to hear it took you several years, many courses and endless words before your debut was published. As an award-winning author, and having judged writing competitions, do you have any tips on how to put your best foot forward when entering writing competitions?

Rob: The first sentence, paragraph, page and then 50 pages onwards are critical. You need to capture your reader, and then don’t let them go. Either being part of a writing group or at least having trusted writers who can give you feedback, as well as beta readers is critical. Other tips would be to draft and re-draft and re-draft until you have polished it, then proofread it!

Kelly: Fabulous tips! When you're teaching, mentoring or assessing manuscripts, what’s the most important thing you want to ensure aspiring authors learn?

Rob: Trust you know the story you are telling. Lean into your voice, you are an individual and as such are unique. Your life experiences have led you to this point in time where you are writing your story. Trust that your subconscious knows the answers and be patient, it will reveal them to you – usually when you are in the shower.

Kelly: Self-belief is so important and so difficult to attain and hold onto, but we do all have something special no other person has and that uniqueness is made up of life experience and individual personality. What are you currently reading and loving?

Rob: With my two hats I’ll start with crime fiction. Petronella McGovern’s new crime thriller The Last Trace – huge fan, and absolutely loved her last book, The Liars. Another recent read I loved is Red River Road by Anna Downes. Picture book wise a couple of new ones that I love Almost a Fish by Julianne Negri and Evie Barrow, My Epic Dad Goes Extreme by Dani Vee and Marina Verola, and Jeff Giraffe – The Great Escape by Amelia McInerney and the brilliant Alexandra Colombo.

Kelly: So many great recs to add to my TBR! So, what can we expect from you next?

Rob: I have signed another picture book with Larrikin House which I am really excited about. I have a couple of other things on the go which I will reveal when I am allowed to! I am also studying for a Master’s by research in creative writing – so writing the first 25 thousand words of a new crime novel. My Instagram @rwrmcdonald is the best place to find out what I’m up to and I do follow back 😊

Kelly: Congrats on your second picture book signing, I can’t wait to hear more about it and will keep an eye on your Instagram for that announcement and the other things you have to reveal. Thanks so much for your time.

Rob: Thank you!

Kelly: Check out my review of Happy Millionth Birthday here and be sure to follow Rob on Instagram and Facebook, he’s such a kind person and a brilliant writer.