Through Spirals and Stars, Kate Gordon revisits her own childhood experiences to create a new tale of friendship and coming of age.

What inspired you to write Spirals and Stars?

Growing up, it was very difficult to find novels that reflected my experience. The Australian YA market was really in its infancy, so there wasn’t the wealth of wonderful books that there are today. I was very lucky to have a dad who ran a school library, so I was always the first to read new books by Robin Klein, James Moloney, Gillian Rubinstein and John Marsden. But even these stories didn’t feel like what I was going through, growing up in rural Tasmania. I’ve committed my career to writing books set in Tasmania and always wanted to write one set in the nineties, when I grew up. I finally got to do it with this book and I hope at least one country Tassie kid feels seen when they’re reading it.

What inspired your main characters: Beth and Jools?

I’m not very imaginative, really, so my main characters are always a piece of me! Beth is shy and bookish and insecure, like I was as a teen (and still am now, really!). Jools is an ode to my real-life best friend, Julia, who I met in grade six, when she was talking to her feet. Like Jools, Julia introduced me to Star Wars (her big brother is called Luke, after the famous Jedi!), Queen and The Beatles. I have her to thank for not only thirty-plus years of friendship but to opening my mind and soul to new art and experiences beyond what I’d encountered in my small town. She’s the best friend a girl could ask for!

Did you have any personal experiences that contributed to this book?

Absolutely! As I mentioned above, Beth is basically me. I was horribly shy as a teen, and sadly went through a few traumatic friendship “breakups” before finding my own Jules (and the rest of my group of still-best-friends!). I was “dumped” in grade five by my childhood bestie (who also lived in a caravan park), when she decided to join the “cool” group (they were called “the gang” at my primary school and I was terrified of them). She also had an “edgy” big sister who I got to know better years later as a really nice person. Like I said, I’m not that imaginative – Spirals and Stars is basically a memoir … with some creative embellishments!

Given the references to Star Wars in the story, are you an avid fan?

Haha! I actually am not! I’ve watched all the movies and definitely appreciate the art and innovation, and I’ll always hold them close to my heart because of how much Julia loves them, but I was always more of an Indiana Jones girl growing up. I feel like when I was a kid, you were one or the other, and Indy has my heart forever (even though he probably seems a little problematic these days!).

Spirals and Stars contains powerful portrayals of anxiety, guilt, and the desire for belonging. What was enjoyable and what was challenging about writing these themes?

Enjoyable is an interesting word! I definitely enjoy all writing I do. Apart from being with my kids, it feels like the most natural, happiest thing I do. So, in that way, writing this book was as enjoyable as anything I write. But writing about hard emotions is always difficult, and it was particularly so when writing this book because it felt so close to home. Writing it almost felt a bit like reliving it, but that was also a cathartic process. It felt a bit like healing “child Kate”. I don’t write the books for me, though, and the challenge is in making sure I handle all the “big things” in a way that will help and not harm the young people who read my books. It feels like a big responsibility. I hope I did okay with this one.

How did the writing process of this book compare to your previous books?

Funnily enough, not so much! Writing always comes from a bit of an organic place for me. I just put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) and see what comes out. It makes editing a bit of a pain, because I don’t really plan very much – I just go with the flow. In editing, though, it was different in that I was writing a historical time period and I wasn’t always certain my memories of certain events, music, television shows etc. lined up with the dates I was writing. I think I did pretty well, though! The pop culture of childhood has a way of sticking in your brain!

Were there any ways that writing this story shaped or changed you as an author?

Definitely! As I said, it felt a bit like a healing process, remembering and working through the events of my childhood that felt so huge – remembering that things that seem small to adults are huge in the worlds of young people. It also helped me understand better what my older daughter is going through now as she’s the same age as the protagonists. It might even make me a bit less overprotective of her … maybe!

What do you hope young readers will take away from Spirals and Stars?

The main message I want to convey is that they will find their people. School can be a lonely, isolating place and struggling with friendships is as normal as it is heartbreaking. Sometimes the people we think are our “forever people” turn out not to be and that is really hard. But one day there will be a girl who loves the Beatles and Star Wars, talking to her feet and you’ll just know you were meant to be friends. Be patient. You’ll find your flock when it’s meant to be. In the meantime, keep being exactly you, because the people who are meant to love you will love you for who you are.

Do you have any other projects in the works?

Many! Most of my time these days is spent with my children – they’re my favourite people and they’re also endlessly inspiring. When I’m not being with them, though, I am working on some more middle grade, a couple of co-written projects and, hopefully, soon a novel for grown-ups. I’ve long been put off by adult fiction as I feel it can often lack the heart and hope of children’s books. I’m planning a story for grown-ups that is full of hope and love and good souls making their way in the world. Fingers crossed it all works! In the meantime, I’m very happy writing for young people – they are the best of humanity and it’s a privilege that they spend some of their precious time reading the things I write.