Interview: Linley Edmeades talks about Zephyr Follows the Stars
- NZ Booklovers
- Sep 15
- 3 min read
Linley Edmeades is a mother, grandmother and gardener who has been telling stories all her life. The joy of sharing stories with others is lifelong, and she will continue to write for whoever wants to find other worlds and open their imagination. Linley talks to NZ Booklovers.
Tell us a little about Zephyr Follows the Stars.
My book is a junior fiction book for 7 to 11 year olds. However, it will also appeal to a wider audience, including adults who love adventure stories. The story is about a young girl who is trying to save her mother. She befriends a dog, and together they have to face sand storms and dangerous caves, and other challenges, and, of course, the wicked wind wizards!
What inspired you to write this book?
My granddaughter Akemi, who is now 17, was about seven when I started writing this and was learning to read. So I decided to write this story and to send her a chapter every week in the post. The story grew from there.
What research was involved?
Mostly from my own experience of hiking and journeys as a child and a wild imagination.
What was your routine or process when writing this book?
Firstly via letters to Akemi every week or two and then I gradually took time every few days to write rough drafts and then pass them on for family to comment and advise. I was still working at a regular job back then.
If a soundtrack were made to accompany this book, name a song or two you would include.
Fly my pretties “Mud and stardust”
Hirini Melbourne’s music and songs
Tiki Taane singing “Over the rainbow”
If your book were made into a movie, who would you like to see playing the lead characters?
A girl similar to the actor who played Lyra in The Golden Compass. Or best of all, one of my other granddaughters, Teimana, is eleven or Hine, who is nine, and either would be perfect!
The illustrations are beautiful and add a lovely element to your novel. Please tell us a little bit about these.
Malcolm, my wonderful husband, is a talented artist and cartoonist. I asked him about doing some drawings for the chapter headings and he saw the vision and the resulting illustrations are perfect.
What did you enjoy the most about writing this novel?
Getting to know the characters, and imagining the places and the adventures. I was completely drawn into the whole story. I am also excited because the book has been translated in to Te Reo by Anaru Rieper, kaiako of Te Kura O Te Kao, and his students at the wharekura.
What did you do to celebrate finishing this book?
It has been a long process, writing, editing, getting family to read, self-publishing and then here I am. I celebrated each part of the process but now, I think there may need to be a party of some sort!
What is the favourite book you have read so far this year and why?
Haruki Murakami’s latest book, The city and its uncertain walls. His writing is vibrant and captivating but also in a world apart.
Also, The chronicles of Narnia, all seven books. I read them every year and I love each and every one.
What’s next on the agenda for you?
I have written three more in this Zephyr series. The second one is printed and ready for release, once the first one is out in the world. I also have a children’s picture book accepted by a publisher, so I am looking forward to that coming to fruition in the next few months. But I write because I love to, whether anyone reads my writing or not. It’s a compulsion.
