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2008 Writer in Residence Announced

Tuesday 29 January 2008, 3:29PM

By University of Otago

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DUNEDIN

Mosgiel author Bill O'Brien has been chosen as the University of Otago College of Education Writer in Residence for 2008.

The prestigious six-month residency is open to established children's writers who have published one or more books of imaginative work for children.

Mr O'Brien will take up the position in April. He is a former police officer who now writes full-time.

He writes both fiction and non-fiction books for adults and children and his most recent publication, Castaway, was shortlisted for the 2007 New Zealand Post Book Awards.

Castaway is an historical novel which reflects the extensive research and authenticity of Mr O'Brien's approach to writing. The book details the 1907 shipwreck of the Dundonald on Disappointment Island in the Sub Antarctic and the rescue of 14 survivors several months later.

Mr O'Brien says he was thrilled to learn he had gained the residency, especially given the strong field of applicants the position attracts.

"I'm really rapt about getting it. This residency is a great opportunity because it provides the time and space to devote yourself to one particular project."

As Writer in Residence, he plans to work on a children's adventure novel set on the West Coast coalfields during the early 1900s.

"When I visited there a year ago, I found the history of the area fascinating and thought it would make a really intriguing setting."

The new book will be in the same vein as Castaway and he hopes it will be similarly successful in hooking "reluctant boy readers" through its adventure aspects.

Mr O'Brien's first book for children was The Hostages (1996). His children's fiction titles also include the novels Unmasked (2001) and Fragile Cargo (2003).

His first foray into writing, Aramoana: 22 Hours of Terror, was published in 1991. The book later provided the basis for the film, Out of the Blue.

The residency, which has run at the College since 1992, provides for a writer to work fulltime for six months in a College of Education environment. It is jointly funded by Creative New Zealand and the University of Otago.

Last year's recipient was Vincent Ford. Previous writers to hold the position include Tania Roxborogh, David Hill, Katerina Mataira, Jack Lasenby and Paula Boock.

Mr O'Brien says he is looking forward to contributing to the College of Education, following his recent enjoyable experiences in delivering writing workshops and giving talks.

"I hope to get the opportunity to pass on some of the fundamentals of creative writing to student teachers, both for their own benefit and to help them in teaching writing skills in the classroom."

Mr O'Brien says good writing is about more than coming up with ideas and putting them on paper – knowing how to edit and polish your work is key too.