Illustrator Vida Kelly vividly remembers the day her teenage son Arlo asked her to read the first chapter of a book he'd started writing.
They were on holiday at Makorori, near Gisborne, and the then-14-year-old had rushed back from exploring rock pools on the beach with an idea.
"I read it and thought, 'This is really good,"" says Vida, a book designer and illustrator.
She says her son's passion for writing began at an early age.
"He'd made his first little book when he was seven, a non-fiction one about the weather, and we printed it out for him and clipped it together. Then he started with fiction."
As the books became more advanced, Arlo's dad Luke, also an artist, began binding them with the sewing machine.
"We've kept most of them and they gradually started to look a bit more professional," tells Vida, who lives with her family in Raumati South, near Paraparaumu. "We said that one day perhaps we could self-publish one for him." Vida realised that time had come when, relaxing in the holiday home, she read Arlo's introduction to the story inspired by the beach walk.
"I just knew instantly and could see how much he had matured as a writer." It took another year of writing, and feedback from friends and family, before the book, Echo, was completed.
This story is from the July 23, 2023 edition of New Zealand Woman's Weekly.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the July 23, 2023 edition of New Zealand Woman's Weekly.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Wax lyrical SHINE BRIGHT
We're not blowing smoke! These easy projects will light up your rooms in a jiffy
Mum's hero team GIVING GIGI A FLYING CHANCE
Twice her daughter has needed life-saving treatment
Call the midwife AROHA'S SPECIAL DELIVERIES
The maternity carer wants more pregnant mums to have the traditional Māori birth experienc
Winning his Queen back FRED & MARY'S TOUR OF LOVE
There's a lot riding on the royal couple's anniversary cruise
The winner TAKES IT ALL!
Five decades on from Abba's Arrival, we're still saying Thank You For the Music
The show must go on! TAYLA'S LIVING HER DREAM
From opera to operations, the young Kiwi performer is unstoppable
From Russia with love 'ADVENTURE'S IN MY BLOOD'
Victoria's glad she took the leap of faith, even though it was a desperate act
Marata's supporting role 'NIKKI'S THE REAL WARRIOR'
The league star pays tribute to his soulmate who lives with a painful condition
Stronger than ever WILLS & KATE'S ENDURING LOVE
Through all life's challenges, the royal soulmates are there for each other
Four kids and a party JESSE'S BRINGING THE FUN!
The TV host is dancing to his own beat when it comes to fatherhood and fame