Bernadette Kelly
Bernadette grew up desperately wanting her own horse. Although she rode other people's horses, she didn't get one of her own until she was an adult. Many years later she is still besotted and obsessed with equines. Lucky for her she lives on a property in country Victoria where she can keep lots of them.
When she's not writing books she's kept very busy breeding Australian Stock Horses and taking her two children to pony club competitions.
Visit Bernadette Kelly's website
Frequently asked questions
How many books have you written?
I've written 21 published books. Eight non-fiction, twelve fiction
and one 'electronic' fiction book.
What was your first book?
My first book was called Cartwheeling Carli, about a girl
who loved gymnastics so much she was invited to join a circus.
When did you start writing?
I began writing stories when I was at school but it wasn't until 1995 that I first had work published.
Why do you like to write books for children?
Children's books are usually more fun to write, and read, than books for adults.
Where do you get your ideas from?
My ideas come from everyday life, the people I meet and the stuff that's going on in the world around me.
Are the characters in your books based on real people?
Not really, although sometimes I might take parts of several people I know and put them together to make a character.
How do you create characters that will appeal to children?
I try to have my characters think and act just like real people. I think people are interested in other people, whatever their age.
Who are your favourite writers/illustrators? And favourite books?
I like Andy Griffiths Just series and Anne Brashares Sisterhood
books. My favourtie author from my childhood is Elynne Mitchell, who
wrote The Silver Brumby books.
Which character from a book would you most like to meet?
Thowra, the Silver Brumby.
What do you use to write your books?
I plan my stories with a pen and paper, then write them on the computer.
What were you like at school?
I was a bit shy at school and I used to get into trouble for reading books under the desk when I was supposed to be listening to the teacher. When I was in grade six my teacher banned me from borrowing books about horses from the library. She said I needed to broaden my reading subjects. It didn't work. I still read every horse book I could lay my hands on.
What is your favourite food?
Definitely chocolate, and blueberries, but usually not at the same time.
What are your hobbies?
Horse riding with my children and spending time with my beautiful
Palomino foal, Spider. Did I mention horse riding?
Do you have any pets?
There are more pets than people at our place. We have a golden Kelpie
cross who thinks she's human and a black poodle who is a bit of a
busybody, he's always poking his nose where he shouldn't. Solomina
the cat sleeps all day long. There are three cockatiels known as the
three cockatiels, and seven horses. Horses names are: Starkey, Doc,
Redman, Cruise (no relation to the Cruise in my books; she's a mare,
he's a gelding), Jess, Bickham and her foal, Spider.
What is your most treasured possession?
I treasure my family and friends much more than any possession I could own.
If you weren't a writer, what would you be?
I think I would be a very good speller!
Author & illustrators menu >>
Books by Bernadette Kelly
