Author 'responsible’ for young audience

Press, 8 October 1987, Page 22

Author 'responsible’ for young audience

DAVID CLARKSON

Mr Bill Taylor feels a lot of responsibility for the young audience he writes for. He knows it well, and he finds it a delight. The rapport has been built up during 25 years as a primary schoolteacher, working with children aged 11 to 14. “It is a wonderful audience, highly responsive, and in heed of a significant body of New Zealand literature that reflects its needs and concerns,” he said during a visit to Christchurch.

Some of the overseas literature that is pitched at that audience does not impress him.

“There is a lot of distasteful, enginered fiction for older kids. Not form New Zealand — the New Zealand , publishing scene is such that only the very best can be published..

“But there is material coming in from North America and Britain that I think dishonestly explores what is imagined to be the emotions of adolescence,” Mr Taylor said.

“I am determined to portray their concerns with integrity and as much honesty as I can summon up. I feel too high a regard for my audience to do less than that," he said. >

Mr Taylor wrote adult fiction in the

early 19705, and then tried his hand at a young adult novel in 1981.

“I suddenly realised I had found , the level at which I w’.hed to write," he ■Said. ' ■ ;

The books that have followed include “My Summer of the Lions,” about a boy facing the death of his mother, and “Shooting Through,” about two runaways from an Auckland social welfare home.

He has ventured into humour with “The Worst Soccer Team in the World,” and now “Break a Leg,” a Hodder and Stoughton book which prompted; his promotional tour. ‘

After his 25 years as a teacher, he became a full-time writer last year. ? - “So far it has not proved to be a foolhardy choice. I may be proved wrong in years to come,” he said. “My audience delights me. It is a very exciting age-group to write for. They have almost left childhood behind, but they are not quite ready to give up some of the good things of childhood, and they are not quite ready to get into the adult world.” . !

Mr Taylor, aged 48, has kept his links with the Wellington provincial town of Ohakune, where he was principal at the 500-pupil primary school. He is the Mayor of Ohakune, one of the longestserving mayors in the North Island.