Australian writer Melissa Wray takes young readers on an important journey of self-discovery in her latest novel Summer Change.

What inspired you to write Summer Change?

My debut YA novel, Destiny Road, had recently been released. After the buzz of the book launch and the excitement of that had settled down, I wanted to be sure I had the capacity to write a second novel. What if I could only write one book? What if it was a fluke? So, I started writing what became Summer Change. Thankfully the story flowed and I was able to create all these wonderful new characters.

Who or what inspired Shae’s character?

I wanted to create an independent and capable female protagonist, but they also needed to be naive from the insulated world they lived in. Because of this, they had to be pushed outside their ‘norm’. They also needed to manage the challenge of having their world turned upside down as this happens to so many young people in real life.

Are there any themes and/or characters in this book that reflect your life?

The theme of cousins was important to me. I was an only child for many years, so my cousins were my best friends. Growing up I had three favourite cousins and spent a lot of time with each of them over those formative years. That’s why the book was dedicated to them. I also lived with my four cousins for a couple of months when I was a teenager. It was a crazy, unsettled time in my life where my family were 3,000km away from me. Like Shae, at the time, the reasons were a mystery to me.

This is your third YA novel that centres on self-discovery — what do you love about writing on this topic? What do you find hard about it?

Both Destiny Road and The Ruby Locket have strong themes of self-discovery. So it made sense or me that Summer Change did too. Self-discovery should be about finding out you are more than you thought. Being a teenager can be tough. Young people need to know that they are stronger than they thought, more capable than they imagined or more determined than they had to be. We should never put limits on the possibilities and challenges around us. This can make writing with themes of self-discovery difficult because as an author I don’t want the evolution of my characters to become a cliché.

What were the biggest differences in your writing process for this book compared to your previous books, and was anything the same?

I wrote the ending for this book relatively early in the process. I knew from the beginning where it was going so it was important that the ending played out like it did. This was different to the other two. In fact, The Ruby Locket’s ending was only decided just before publication as there were two possible endings!

What are you most looking forward to about Summer Change’s release?

Summer Change is set in north Queensland in a place called Townsville. It is a place I spent time in during both good and challenging times in my life. Upon reflection I realised there were many fun and happy moments I can recall about my time there. This novel is a celebration of those memories. Summer Change is my love letter to Townsville and I am looking forward to more people discovering that beautiful part of Australia. I also hope that any one who reads it gets behind Shae’s journey of discovery.

What do you hope your readers will take away from Summer Change?

Hopefully, readers can enjoy the rollercoaster ride Shae goes on and maybe even relate to it in some way. I also hope that the themes of self-worth come through. It can be tough for young girls, especially in this modern world. I also really hope they shed a tear at some stage during the story! Then my job at creating a storyline that really connected with the reader will be done.

Do you think your past experiences travelling around the world have influenced your writing now? If so, how?

Travelling earlier in life has certainly fuelled my imagination, wonder and intrigue throughout my life. I have a naturally curious nature and always want to know more or experience more. I try and instil this in my own children and the students I teach. Who knows, maybe I will write a story that provides a good enough excuse to travel overseas for research purposes!

Do you have any other projects in the works?

I do! I recently signed a fourth contract (a second contract with Wombat Books/Rhiza Edge) for a middle-grade fiction book. It was inspired by the myth of buried treasure down the road from where I live. I’ve loved researching that and can’t wait to share the story with everyone.