Fourteen year old, Bun Hare, and his best friend Katie are on a mission to find Bun’s real parents, but someone else is just as anxious to find them. The pair’s thrilling American adventure turns into a race against their enemies, as they do everything they can to reach their cross-country destination while staying one step ahead of the people trying to harm them. Nothing is what it seems, and Bun and Katie have only each other to trust as they face life-threatening dangers at every turn. They will either make it to the West Coast in time for a happy family reunion, or powerful forces will keep the mystery of Bun’s parentage hidden for good. It will take plenty of intelligence, lots of bravery, and a little bit of luck if the friends are to reach their destination safely and solve the mystery of the niello necklace.
Targeted Age Group:: 9-14 year olds
How is Writing In Your Genre Different from Others?
I think it is important to tell a good, fast moving story to children but not to talk down by leaving out big words or complex ideas. I guess this is true of all genres is some ways. Children’s books in my age group are not usually as long as adult novels which means every word must count. I try to use vocabulary and dialogue young people can relate to.
What Advice Would You Give Aspiring Writers?
Write, write, write because you love it – and don’t give up. Don’t write for the money. Only a special few make money out of writing. Check your work carefully for proofreading and editing errors. And then check again. And again. Ask an objective person (not family members, or friends) to do your final edit. Network with other writers who will be able to steer you around the many pitfalls. Don’t talk ‘down’ what you do. Most people think they can write, but until they have completed a book and published, or self-published, they are not writers. They are just ‘dabblers’. Be brave.
Author Bio:
Robyn Collins is an author and avid reader living in Brisbane, Australia. She has been writing since she was a child, and she has published many works on educational topics as well as a number of ebooks. “The Niello Necklace Mystery” is her first children’s book, and is part one of a two part series. In a former life, she taught English and was a school principal.
Robyn has tried her hand at writing in other genres but always returns to her first love, children’s books.
Through her Niello Mysteries series, she hopes to inspire a love of reading in young people by writing exciting, adventure stories, as well as teaching them about the power of resilience and the importance of friends.
What Inspired You to Write Your Book?The Niello Necklace Mystery is my first children’s book, although there are more to come. It was inspired by two separate events in my life. The first was a trip to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, one of my favorite places to visit, where I bought a tiny, gold niello necklace as a souvenir to remind me of my visit.The second was a visit to a tearoom in New South Wales, Australia, where I heard the name “Bun Hare” for the first time. The name stuck in my mind so much that I made it the name of my main character – although his real name is William Thomas Buntain II.
Website(s)
Author Home Page Link
Link To Buy The Niello Necklace Mystery On Amazon
Social Media:
https://www.facebook.com/robyn.collins.923
https://twitter.com/RobynCollins11
