Deborah Abela, author of Final Storm, answers some questions about her book. We thank her and Penguin Books Australia for this interview.
Why did you decide to write a trilogy based on climate change?
About 15 years ago I got really angry because scientists told us that the way we were living was causing the climate to change, which was going to lead to a whole bunch of problems including rising sea levels and wild weather. They also told us if we stop putting so much carbon in the air by stopping burning coal, fuel, and chopping down trees, we could stop these problems. But governments wouldn’t listen. We have a beautiful planet and it is everyone’s job to take care of it, so I wanted to write a novel about something big that went wrong because we didn’t take care of the planet.
When you were younger did you think you would become an author?
I’ve wanted to be an author since I was 7, but if you’d have told my 7-year-old self that, she may well have screamed the roof of my house! So it’s probably best she found out when she was older.
Do you have a favourite book that you’ve written, and if so what is it and why?
I can only write a novel when I already love the characters and story, so choosing a favourite is hard…but I really love the action, characters and adventure in the Grimsdon trilogy, I also love Teresa A New Australian because it was inspired by my family’s survival during World War 2 and I love my two spelling bee books because of the super gorgeous Wimple family.
How long did it take you to write this book?
It took me over one year to plan, write and re-rewrite this book.
Do you have any advice for budding authors?
The big ones are:
1) Write about what gets you excited
2) Read widely and a lot
3) Write every day
4) Just start and don’t worry about it being perfect.
If you’d like to see the trailer for Final Storm, you can go to: Final Storm Book Trailer – the third novel in the Grimsdon trilogy.
Find out lots more about Deb, flooded cities, WW2 and spelling bees at her website.
Read Libby Boas’ review of Final Storm here
