We chat with author Zoe Gaetjens about Drawing Nudes While Making Other Plans, which is set over one pivotal summer before Year 12 and follows teenage Cleo, who is navigating friendship, identity, and loss, all whilst trying not to panic in a room full of naked people.
Hi, Zoe! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?
I am an Australian author writing for both children and young adults. My books include YA novel Drawing Nudes While Making Other Plans, CBCA shortlisted picture book Being Indy and lift the flap board book, Little Angler. I work as a high school English teacher, which I simultaneously love while also questioning my life choices. I live with my husband, three kids and fluffy dog and find it very difficult to turn down a cup of tea and a piece of cake.
When did you first discover your love for writing and stories?
I have always loved books and stories but I’m not exactly sure when I realised I liked writing, sometime in primary school I’d say.
My mother organised library cards for my sister and I when we were tiny little things, so little that the librarian at the time wondered if we were in fact too small for library cards. I grew up without a TV so books were what I turned for entertainment. I would read in the car, on the bus, during dinner… the list is endless. I remember when I first got married my husband would laugh at the way I carried my book around the house, just in case I could squeeze a few extra minutes of reading in!
Quick lightning round! Tell us:
Argh, I’m so bad at this! I already know I’m going to not be able to answer quickly!
- The first book you ever remember reading: Maybe Unreal by Paul Jennings. Or Magic Beach by Alison Lester, that was the book my year one class championed for book week. I also remember my year 1 teacher reading The Muddle Headed Wombat to our class and my Dad reading The Secret Garden to my sister and I as kids.
- The one that made you want to become an author: This one may be surprising. I was working in a library as a uni student and saw a Charlie and Lola book by Lauren Child, I couldn’t tell you which one it was. It looked so cool, I thought, I want to write a book!
- The one that you can’t stop thinking about: Looking for Alibrandi by Melina Marchetta, it was my favourite book as a teenager and it still stands up today.
Your debut novel, Drawing Nudes While Making Other Plans, is out now! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
I was going to say, “the next book you purchase” but it doesn’t feel right, so “warm, funny, romantic, Australian, honest”.
What can readers expect?
I really hope that readers will fall in love with the characters. I think Sydney readers can expect to recognise many of the settings. I hope readers will laugh and enjoy some romantic vibes.
Where did the inspiration for Drawing Nudes While Making Other Plans come from?
When I was writing Drawing Nudes I drew on my own experience attending a life drawing course as a teenager. I have memories of feeling nervous and unsure but also of growing in confidence and developing a sense of pride in my work. I was also inspired by Nina Kenwood’s It Sounded Better in My Head. I adored how funny this book is and the interiority of the main character is just brilliant. I wanted to write something that fans of this book might enjoy.
Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?
I really enjoyed writing the character Lachlan. He was fun to write, plain and simple. I think it’s because he is the absolute opposite of me and what I was like as a teenager. He is confident and knows what he wants. Sometimes I think I’d like a little more Lachlan in me. That said I also loved writing each of the scenes between Cleo and Mattias when they are having their moments. And I can’t forget the plans. Because of the plans we get to hear from Emmy. She is so sure of herself, in a good way, and I loved this contrast with Cleo but I also love the care she is able to show for her sister through these plans.
As a high school English teacher and also obviously having lived through the high school experience yourself, how did you approach finding the right voice for Cleo, whilst also exploring both grief and first love?
I think I just wrote in the voice that came naturally to me. I took some of the things that worried me as a teenager (and some things that worry me today!) and exaggerated them. I think I also did a bit of what I like to call “sitting in the feels”, particularly when I was writing some of the key scenes. I would just imagine I was my main character, and think about how she would be feeling and what would be going on her head. I would try to sit with that and then attempt to express it on the page.
Did you face any challenges whilst writing? How did you overcome them?
The word count! Before writing Drawing Nudes I was working on junior fiction and picture book manuscripts which are SO much shorter. To over come this I really just had to keep showing up for my story and my characters, making sure I didn’t give up so I could find their happy ending. That said, and I am sure this is the same for most writers, it is so hard to find the time between work and family life!
This is your debut novel! What was the road to becoming a published author like for you?
Full of excitement and fear and self doubt and ultimately wonderful but also a long time coming!
I was very lucky at a SCBWI conference to have the opportunity to pitch my novel to a couple of publishing professionals in front of a live audience. I am so thankful to Laura Harris, one of those professionals who I was lucky enough to work with and who represented me and my manuscript. I am also grateful to the wonderful team at Penguin, they are fantastic.
What’s next for you?
I am looking forward to continuing with a new YA project. Again, a romance, and again exploring the relationship dynamic between sisters. Cross your fingers for me!
Lastly, what books are you looking forward to picking up? Any you’ve read so far this year that you’ve enjoyed?
In the YA space I loved Catch by Sarah Brill, A Guide to Falling Off the Map by Zanni L. Arnot was another I really enjoyed recently and I’ve got to say I’m looking forward to reading Vow of Eternal Night by Lily Crozier.
