Blog
1. When did you first start writing your books? I started writing books in 2000. My first book The Garden of Empress Cassia was published in 2002. 2. Where do you get your ideas from your books from? From lots of different places – dreams, places, movies, childhood memories, the world around me.
Aug 16:
Fan Mail Letters
to Gabrielle Wang, hi, my name is Brianna and I am a year 5 student at black rock primary school. I am 11 years old. I have just finished reading ‘the wishbird”and right now I am reading ‘the pearl of tiger bay’ in the with the wishbird I love how oriole and boy(hero) went on some […]
This is the third year in a row that I have conducted Chinese painting workshops with the Year 7’s at Luther College and I am constantly amazed
Aug 05:
Fan Mail Letters
Hey Gabrielle! I LOVE the Poppy books and I really enjoy the story about Poppy finding her brother. She has a really cool character that makes the reader want to know more too. And I was wondering, are you going to write the Pearlie books for 2014? Because when I saw the picture of the […]
Yesterday the launch of The Wishbird was held at The Little Bookroom in Melbourne. My friend Cath Crowley gave the most beautiful launch speech. Her words shone and glittered and flew around the room. This is what she said:
My interview with Daniel Browning about The Wishbird on Books and Arts Daily, Radio National. You can listen to the interview HERE
This is an open invitation to the launch of my latest novel THE WISHBIRD
I heard a radio program about luck the other day. Some people don’t believe in it. They believe that you create your own luck. Then there are others who possibly believe in it a little too much. I am Chinese, so of course I believe. But being Chinese
Jun 30:
Fan Mail Letters
Dear Gabrielle, My name is Sarah. I have just finished reading The Garden of Empress Cassia, it was amazing! I love it so much. It is a great story and I want to let you know that I love that you used so many descriptive words. It made me feel Mimi’s emotions and it was […]
Today I welcome Allison Lloyd to How Writers Work!
A Writer’s Duty
Jun 23: Booktalk
William Faulkner had avoided speeches all his life. ‘I’m just a farmer who likes to tell stories,’ he once said. This is his acceptance speech when he travelled to Stockholm to receive the Nobel Prize in
The Wishbird Cover Art
Jun 07: Booktalk
I received the final cover art for my new novel, The Wishbird. It is the first time my own illustration has appeared
Within the home, the serving of food was subtly geared to the status of the person in the family. The killing of a chicken was an event. In a household of perhaps two or three dozen people, only the more important and elderly people, or a visitor, were
Here are the dates and events I’ll be appearing in at the Melbourne Writers Festival Schools Program Saturday August 24 Chinese brush painting at 12.30 Learn the secrets and traditions of Chinese brush painting from author and illustrator Gabrielle Wang
May 17:
Fan Mail Letters
Hi I just finished reading Little Paradise and I loved it! I adored every single character, both primary and secondary. I’d just like to ask you a few questions: What happens to Rose, Dave, Jock, Murray, the Hartmanns and Stefan? Edward and Chrissy? I teared up when the Hartmanns left for Australia. Does Mirabel ever […]
I collected these pieces of Nature from my garden yesterday. Autumn always reminds me of my childhood – the smell of burning leaves, the sound of crackling and crunching underfoot, the fresh misty mornings.
Interview for Paper Tigers
May 01: Book News
Here is a bit of the interview I did with Marjorie Coughlin. Interview with author and illustrator Gabrielle Wang After she left school, Australian author Gabrielle Wang studied and worked in Graphic Design before deciding to delve deeper into her Chinese heritage, which led her to study Chinese painting and calligraphy in Taiwan. She lived […]
Almost home
Apr 25: Booktalk
I have written seven novels but I think The Wishbird is my best so far. Still, I don’t want to jinx myself by saying that.
Sometimes while I’m busy writing and being distracted by other things, I turn around and find these curious little drawings on my desk. It must be time for a doggie walk.
Bicycle Memories
Mar 26: Book News
I bought a new bicycle. It reminds me of when I was young. It smells of clinkers, sherbert bombs, snakes and honey bears,
When I was studying Chinese painting in China I spent most of those years copying, stroke for stroke the paintings of the old masters. What I thought in the beginning would be tedious and boring, quickly turned into study on a much much deeper level, profound in many ways.
Drawing Birds
Mar 02: Just Thoughts
Hairy birds, Missoni birds, Batman birds, chicken pox birds, holey birds and stripey birds.
Thirty years ago psychotherapist and author Pat Williams, asked a number of high achievers if there had been any stories that were their favourites in childhood.
HAPPY YEAR OF THE SNAKE
Feb 10: Book News
Today I welcome Alice Pung to How Writers Work HOW DID YOU FIRST GET PUBLISHED? My first book
1. Tell us something hardly anyone knows about you. Im scared of injections.
MY AUSTRALIA DAY STORY
Jan 26: Just Thoughts
I was walking down Swanston Street in Melbourne alone one day, near the old City Baths, (I was about 15 years old) when I saw a homeless man coming towards me. He looked rough – dirty clothes, unshaven face, scraggly hair, the type of man whose age has been obliterated by hard times.
The Magical Mists of Varuna
Jan 23: Book News
In my two weeks at Varuna I achieved all that I set out to do. I finished editing The Wish Bird and created 6 new illustrations which will go inside the book.
Today I welcome author and publisher Paul Collins. How did you get your first book published? I didn’t read as a kid — in fact, there wasn’t a book in our house. Well, there was one. A green-spined Penguin mystery that would appear
VARUNA, THE WRITERS’ HOUSE
Jan 05: Book News
I have been privileged to receive a two week writing fellowship at Varuna, the writers’ house in the Blue Mountains. Varuna was the former residence of writers Eleanor and Dr Eric Dark. Through its various programs Varuna offers writers and illustrators some alone time to concentrate on their work in progress. For me it […]
I was standing on the train platform staring at some street art on the other side of the tracks, when I read these words,
KEEP YOUR GOALS TO YOURSELF
Jan 01: Book News
On this first day of 2013, (or New Year’s eve for those in the northern hemisphere), we all like to make New Year resolutions. Derek Sivers says it’s best to keep goals to ourselves. The same thing, I believe applies to writing fiction.
GOOGLE BUNS
Dec 19: Booktalk
I was gazing lovingly at the cover of my 1962 edition of The Folk of the Faraway Tree, the one I’ve kept since I was a child hence the torn dust jacket, when to my surprise I see the words Google Buns painted on the side of a jar.
THE THINGS ON MY DESK
Dec 14: Book News
Having finished the structural edit for The Wish Bird, I’m putting it away for a while. When I get back to the story next week I’ll hopefully see it with a set of fresh eyes.
Dec 05:
Fan Mail Letters
Dear gabrielle, I love your books! At school i am reading the Garden of Epress Cssia and just finished your book the hidden monastery and loved it!!! Your books capture me so much and you make me feel like i am in the story! At school my favorite subject is writing and think I write […]
How did you get your first book published? It was very good Luck! I had a weird collection of surrealistic black and white drawings
Dec 05:
Book News
This is gold! In 1959 Alan Watts made this short documentary on Chinese thought – Taoism, Buddhism and Confucianism and how we should adopt this way of thinking in the West, especially in our attitude towards Nature. It is even more relevant today.
These fantastic illustrations were drawn by Sweet after she read A Ghost in My Suitcase.
THE NEW YORKER
Nov 26: Booktalk
These NEW YORKER dog covers are simply GORGEOUS!
THE GREEN PAVILION
Nov 22: Book News
Where is her green pavilion? ‘Tis high up among the blue clouds. Her precious mirror hangs like the autumnal moon; Her silk gown weighs lighter than the spring breezes.
Now that almost all my school visits are over for the year, I thought I’d make a list of what I think makes a successful school visit for an author/illustrator.
Today I welcome Sherryl Clark to talk about her journey into writing, her books and other things.
PaperTigers 10th Anniversary: Two Top-Ten picks of Chinese-themed Australian books compiled by Chris Cheng
Nov 12: Book News
I am very honoured to have The Race for the Chinese Zodiac included on the list for picture books. And The Garden of Empress Cassia and A Ghost in My Suitcase included on the list for junior fiction.
Whenever I read this extract from Cheryl Strayed’s “Tiny Beautiful Things: Advice on Love and Life from Dear Sugar” I cannot help but tear up.
1. When still a child, make sure you read a lot of books. Spend more time doing this than anything else. 2. When an adult, try to read your own work as a stranger would read it, or even better, as an enemy would. 3. Dont romanticise your vocation. You can either write good sentences […]
POPULAR children’s author Gabrielle Wang dropped in to Stonnington Primary School to share her love of reading and writing. Wang’s visit was part of the eighth annual Premiers’ Reading Challenge, which encourages students to discover the magic of books.
The Open Spaces picture book creators’ retreat run by the Australian Society of Authors was fantastic! We spent a fun packed and inspiration filled four days learning, sharing, collaborating, renewing old acquaintances and forming new ones. Here are just a few of my impressions.
These are my favorite cookies. They are crunchy and delicious.
Yesterday I was chased by an angry swarm of bees. I disturbed them when I lifted the lid of the compost bin. I ran like the devil waving my arms about my head trying to get rid of the bees
Good fengshui
Oct 14: Book News
“Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful.” ~ William Morris
I recently returned from Perth. It was my first visit and the only capital city in Australia that I hadn’t visited. My daughter lives there now so it won’t be my last time. Whenever I visit a new place I like to buy a small momento.
Oct 10:
Fan Mail Letters
I have not started reading the hidden monastry yet but i am looking forward to reading it alexandra
I was at the hairdressers today and the lady who washed my hair asked me where I had been and what exciting thing I had done this morning. I wanted to tell her that only an hour ago I was in an ancient walled city with rat infested alleyways. That I was a ten year […]
The Meatballs’ Leader is a story from Tales of Afghanistan by Amina Shah (Octogon Press, London 1982) Once upon a time, there was a dish of meatballs, sizzling in the oven. ‘Oh, oh oh, who will save us from this terrible scorching heat?’ cried the meatballs.
Stories of Love
Sep 26: Book News
On the train coming home after a meeting, I was reviewing my notes when a man in his 70’s asked where I was from and if I was studying English. I used to be offended by this assumption.
After months of school visits and being indoors, I felt the need to spend time in Nature – to listen instead of being listened to. Although I am not one to swim or lie on the beach, I love the sea. It is a dream of mine to one day own a small writing cottage […]
Tan Hong Ming in Love
Sep 20: Book News
Tan Hong Ming in Love is one of those rare and lovely advertisements that captures the innocence of children.
Yesterday was my last school visit for a few months. I gave a Chinese painting workshop to Year 7 students at Luther College in Croydon Hills. Here are some of the gorgeous paintings they did. These are closeups of the birds
Sep 20:
Fan Mail Letters
Hi Gabrielle Wang My name is Gabrielle too. I’m am in year six and I love your books especially little paradise. While I was reading I couldn’t put the book down. Your books are very descriptive. I hope you can make new ones to.
Sep 20:
Fan Mail Letters
Dear Gabrielle, If I was an author I would call it: Butterflies at my fingers. Here I made a song. When I see my tears drop on the ground My heart breaks and I fall But I see a bit of hope I stand up tall like a building high up in the sky I […]
Sep 20:
Fan Mail Letters
I have just read your Garden of Empress Cassia. It fabulous! I was really scared when Gemma got sucked into the picture I was like: Whats going to happen whats going to happen? And eventully I released my breath for that last part: We pulled Gemma out. Yvonne PS: PLEASE email me I have been […]
Sep 20:
Fan Mail Letters
dear Gabrielle at school we are in the middle of a book fair I bought one of your books I bought the hidden monastry From Alexandra
Ravens at Twilight
Sep 16: Book News
Li Bai is one of China’s most loved poets. He lived during the Tang dynasty (618-907) which is also known as the ‘Golden Age’ of classical Chinese poetry. Here is one of Li Bai’s beautiful poems translated by Sun Yu.
Whenever I read a story be it a novel, short story or song I am enriched. When these stories come from students, I am in awe of the talent that is all around us.
Sep 07:
Fan Mail Letters
Dear Gabrielle Wang, My name is Siobhan and I am in year 6. I wanted to tell that I love the Poppy books! They are amazing! I really want to read your other books! From Siobhan
Sep 07:
Fan Mail Letters
hi i’m emilie i was reading your book a ghost in my suitcase it was rally good!!! can please answer some of my questions 🙂 what where u felling when u wrote this book? is the book in china? thanks so much 🙂 em
The Rainbow Collector
Sep 05: Just Thoughts
Ideas for stories are everywhere. They come as gifts to the writer. Here are the gifts I received this week. And two had to do with rainbows!
For teachers using The Garden of Empress Cassia with their students, Senka King, Deputy Principal of St Albans East Primary School in Melbourne has kindly given me permission to publish the teachers notes she uses in her classrooms. Thank you so much Senka for sharing these! To view and download a copy go to The Garden […]
Warming a Writer’s Heart
Aug 31: Book News
Every so often I get a letter that confirms the fact that I have one of the best jobs in the world and makes the long, hard process of writing a novel so worthwhile. Here is one such letter. Hi Gabrielle, I am reading one of your books The Ghost in my Suitcase. It […]
Story Dissecting
Aug 29: Booktalk
In Year Eight we had to dissect a sheep’s eye. I was repulsed at seeing the eyeballs floating in a jar of formaldehyde like a Dali nightmare. Today, a student could probably conscientiously object on the grounds of being vegetarian. But not back then. There was no way out. Our science teacher, appropriately named Miss […]
Aug 27:
Fan Mail Letters
Hi Gabrielle how are you and Gabrielle I loved all of you books.Oh Gabrielle wish I could buy Pearl of Tiger Bay. From Charlotte
Aug 27:
Fan Mail Letters
hi gabrielle you came to holy trinity for book week. my school is in eltham north i thought you where magnificent i also really like your books i want to buy “a perl of tiger bay” thankyou i realy like my peng you are just magnificent.(:
Aug 27:
Fan Mail Letters
Dear Gabrielle Wang, I am in year 5 and you just came to my school for bookweek. I felt you were so iteresting and I wanted you to keep talking. I found the story about the wich and thegiant house very entertaining. I have not read any of your books yet but I am totally […]
Aug 22:
Fan Mail Letters
Dear:Gabrielle Wang, My name is Tegan and I am from Melbourne,Australia. I have been reading your books and I think you are an amazing and talented author and illustrator. Your books and drawings have inspired me and my favourite book by you that I have read is The Garden of Empress Casia because I loved […]
Aug 22:
Fan Mail Letters
Dear Gabrielle! I have read all of your Poppy series and I love them all! You are a really,really,REALLY good author! What about your other books? Do you have some books that are about history to? Please reply or I will surely die! Nah! Just Kidding! Thanks, Brooke!
Aug 21:
Fan Mail Letters
Hi Gabrielle, This is just a little bit of fanmail for you: Your talk at the Abbotsleigh Literary Festival today was really inspirational for me. I really liked how you incorporated so many elements from your childhood and vibrant personality into your books. Going to your talk was so exciting-you gave me so much to […]
Aug 21:
Fan Mail Letters
Dear Ms Wang, Thank you for talking to year 5 abbotsleigh junior school. I love the empress cassia with all the imigrary words. The book have inspired me with writing and reading.Thank you From, Gwyneth
QUICK PEAR CAKE
Aug 19: My Favourite Recipes
This is a favourite in my family. And best of all, it’s quick to make. As I don’t have a picture of the cake, here is a drawing instead. I’ve titled it Pear Girl with Dog.
When I was young I saw a gorilla at Taronga Park Zoo in Sydney. He was housed in a room with a high ceiling and bars on the front for onlookers to peer in. As he stared at us staring at him, I remember thinking how human his eyes looked. Beautiful soft eyes they […]
As cultural ambassador at St Albans East Primary School the talented students from years 3-6 have been doing some creative writing with me.
Aug 07:
Fan Mail Letters
Hi Gabrielle, I am reading one of your books The Ghost in my Suitcase. It is really interesting it is so interesting i am up to the chapter called The long silken thread i am loving it, it is the only book that i am going to finish because it caught my eye and i […]
Aug 06:
Fan Mail Letters
Hi Gabrielle Wang, I have read all your Poppy books and they are fab-u-lous! At the end the man says Gus fell into the mine shaft but then he was alive! My favourite one was Poppy and the thief where Lin Tian stole Gus’s bag with the golden nuggets. And of course when he stole […]
Aug 06:
Fan Mail Letters
Hi Gabrielle I got your book The Garden of Empress Cassia for literature circles! I am also reading Mao’s Last Dancer so I know all about Chairman Mao and the poverty in China ! It is really interesting because in The Garden Of Empress Cassia you mention him so now I know all about him! […]
The Lovely Lady
Aug 06: Just Thoughts
On the sill in my writing room stands the Lovely Lady Full of grace and wisdom she watches me write Sometimes she dictates the words to a story The sound of her voice is like crystals gently kissing Sometimes she laughs at me
A SUFI TALE
Jul 31: Random Thoughts
A Sufi Tale Someone saw Nasrudin searching for something on the ground. ‘What have you lost, Mulla?’ he asked. ‘My key,’ said the Mulla. So they both went down on their knees and looked for it.
THE SINGING TREE
Jul 28: Random Thoughts
In the park there is a singing tree. It screeches, squawks and chatters excitedly. If you look into its branches you will see lorikeets feeding on the sweet nectar of the flowers. They have a special tongue with a brush-like surface.
All this week Ive been giving Chinese painting workshops for Year 4 -6s. I never hear words like cant, Im no good at this, Im not good at art because Chinese painting is spontaneous and the results immediate and gratifying. One becomes completely absorbed in the moment. I call it action meditation. Yesterday though during […]
Animal photo bombs
Jul 26: Random Thoughts
I needed a bit of a laugh the other day so I found these animal photo bombs There’s a story in every one of these pics.
Jul 26:
Fan Mail Letters
Hi Gabriella, The story “a ghost in my suit case” is a wonderful book! Though where did you think of this story? It is so magnificent. From Miranda (Your great fan.)
UNLOVED THINGS
Jul 20: Booktalk
For the past week, my 10 month old pup, Hero has been bringing small pieces of white cardboard inside the house. He then lies at my feet and begins chewing, ripping and swallowing them. Better it be cardboard than sticks, I think. He is slow to out grow the chewy stage of puppyhood. There was […]
For as long as I can remember Ive wanted to be an artist. I was always drawing. So after I finished Year 12, I studied Graphic Design at RMIT. Then worked first for a creative agency then opened a design studio with four other designers called Rum Jungle. It was fun. But there was something […]
During the month of July I’m Writer-in-Residence for Inside a Dog. I will be blogging 3 times a week. Jump on over and take a look! 7. Easy Fried Rice Recipe 6. A True Ghost Story – Part 2 5. A True Ghost Story – Part 1 4. How To Make A Book Trailer and […]
Jul 02:
Fan Mail Letters
Dear Gabrielle, I was enthralled by your excellence and skill in writing when I read your Poppy books.(Did I tell you?I am totally in love with the Our Australian Girl books.I read them like I am possessed!)I absolutely love your story and had an idea for you.Maybe you could write a ‘My Story’ book for […]
Tablecloth Art
Jun 26: Random Thoughts
I love paper tablecloths in restaurants where you can make dinner art. Toad and Monster Fish inspired by an olive oil spill at Jimmy Watsons last night. INSIDE A DOG I am Writer-in-Residence at Inside a Dog for the month of July. Hop on over there to take a look at my first post Dreams, Persistence and […]
Jun 25:
Fan Mail Letters
Dear Gabrielle Wang I read your reply to my letter on your website I have a poem that nearly got published in a book but I lost the paper that gave them the permission to publish it in there book I still think about how my poem could have been in a book. I am […]
Jun 25:
Fan Mail Letters
Dear Gabrielle Wang, I’m called Nina and I’m from bell primary school(one of the schools you visited). I ordered a ghost in my suitcase when you came, but only received my copy yesterday-thursday 21st of june-and have already read about 60 pages. This is because your books are so full and interesting. I’ve read some […]
Jun 21:
Fan Mail Letters
Hello Gabrielle I hope you enjoyed your visit to Genazzano because i did ! Your story about the witch was awesome I am going to read your book The Pearl of Tiger Bay and all of the Poppys from Mia 🙂
How did your first book get published? I am loathe to say that my first book took only 3 hours to write. That said, it was three hours and twenty years of practise, so when you look at it that way, it’s not so bad. It was a classic case of noticing opportunity when it knocks and opening […]