Guile, Melanie 1949-
GUILE, Melanie 1949-
Personal
Born October 10, 1949, in Durham, England; daughter of Leslie Allen (a psychiatrist) and Marjorie (a teacher of the handicapped) Guile; children: Paul, Melissa, Saskia. Education: University of Melbourne, B.A. (with
honors), M.A., and diploma in Education. Politics: "Labour/Green." Hobbies and other interests: Gardening, cats, walking, swimming, sketching.
Addresses
Home —47 Tongue St., Yarraville, Victoria 3013, Australia.
Career
University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia, lecturer in English literature, 1972-88, lecturer in children's literature, 1988-94; Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, Melbourne, Australia, instructional designer and educational editor, 1980, 1995—.
Member
Friends of Stony Creek (environmental organization).
Writings
Revenge of the Green Genie (junior fiction), illustrated by Clare Watson, Scholastic Australia (Sydney, Australia), 1996.
Mr. Venus—Computer Wizard (junior fiction), Scholastic Australia (Sydney, Australia), 1997.
"culture in" series
North and South Korea, Raintree (Chicago, IL), 2003.
Indonesia, Heinemann Library (Sydney, Australia), 2003, Raintree (Chicago, IL), 2004.
Japan, Heinemann Library (Sydney, Australia), 2003, Raintree (Chicago, IL), 2004.
New Zealand, Heinemann Library (Sydney, Australia), 2003, Raintree (Chicago, IL), 2004.
China, Heinemann Library (Sydney, Australia), 2003, Raintree (Chicago, IL), 2004.
Papua New Guinea, Heinemann Library (Sydney, Australia), 2003, Raintree (Chicago, IL), 2004.
Singapore, Heinemann Library (Sydney, Australia), 2003, Raintree (Chicago, IL), 2004.
Thailand, Heinemann Library (Sydney, Australia), 2003, Raintree (Chicago, IL), 2004.
India, Heinemann Library (Sydney, Australia), 2005.
Malaysia, Heinemann Library (Sydney, Australia), 2005.
Contributor to St. Catherine's: A Centenary Celebration, 1896-1996, Helicon, 1996. Contributor of columns and reviews to Magpies.
Sidelights
Australian author Melanie Guile is the author of several volumes in Raintree Publisher's "Culture In" series, as well as the chapter books Revenge of the Green Genie and Mr. Venus—Computer Wizard, both published in Australia. The "Culture In" series examines life in various parts of the world through customs, language, spiritual beliefs, and arts and crafts traditions.
Guile once told SATA: "From the age of seven I knew I wanted to write stories. We had a wonderful teacher—a Miss Christianson—who used to pin great colorful, detailed posters to the blackboard and encourage us to weave stories around them. I also remember that, when you had finished your other work, you were allowed to read special books. They were nothing to look at on the outside—just blank red covers—but inside they were Cicely May Barker's 'Flower Fairy' books! I love them still.
"Because everyone knew you couldn't make a living by writing books, people suggested that I might be a journalist, and for many years that's what I said I would become. But at high school and university, my love of literature took another twist and I became a university lecturer—enthusing other people about great works of literature. The academic study of literature does nothing for one's own writing, alas—in fact quite the reverse. In my case, I rediscovered the confidence to write when I had my second baby. I thought: 'Well, here's someone who won't judge too harshly!' I wrote my first (unpublished) children's novel in the few weeks after her birth, and to my great joy, my children are still my greatest fans.
"I wrote several rather dull and serious books before I hit on the idea of humor—and it seemed to like me! Now, I concentrate on comic stories for middle-to-upper primary-age readers. I always try to put lots of magic into them as well. Magic and humor seem a good combination, because I want to write books that reluctant readers will enjoy. It was a great moment for me when, at an author talk I was giving at a school, an intellectually disabled boy showed huge enthusiasm for my book Revenge of the Green Genie. His aide told me the boy had written his first-ever story, inspired by my book. I want children to love books—mine or anyone else's—and to find delight in them, as this boy did.
"Because I hate rewriting, I tend to write fast and not rework very much at all. I know this is not a good model for young writers to follow, but I suppose I'm too impatient to draft and redraft. The hardest part is thinking up the plot—something I'm not good at. I have so little time in my busy life to write that each book takes at least a year. One day I hope to be able to devote a set number of days a week to my writing but, at the moment, it's whenever I can snatch a spare day or weekend.
"I read other modern children's writers, and I'm lost in admiration—particularly for some Australian authors and illustrators. They are very honest, no-nonsense writers. It's a great advantage to work in children's writing because the kids won't let you get away with anything false, and they require a good story. Too many adult authors seem to have great talent but not enough to say.
"To aspiring writers I would say the usual things: read lots of good books of the kind you want to write. Write about what you know. The more writing you do, the better you'll get. Don't give up. But I'd also say something I don't hear writers saying much: that you do need a basic talent for words, and this needs to be coupled with a practical determination. Calm persistence goes a long way and is certainly more useful than inspiration. Finally—listen to advice, but above all trust your own voice."*
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Nuts about Nuts
Newspaper article from: Beacon News, The (Aurora, IL); 12/28/2005; ; 700+ words
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Nuts nutty nuttier
Newspaper article from: The Nelson Mail; 7/28/2009; ; 700+ words
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Nut ... rageously good eating.
Magazine article from: Vibrant Life; 7/1/2002; ; 700+ words
; ...fats. Remember, as your nut consumption rises, take...other fats in your diet. Nuts should not be an "add...the health benefits of nuts, they add a unique and...of ways to incorporate nuts into your diets is illustrated in the unique and nut ... rageously nutritious...
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Going nuts overnibbles; HEALTH GURUS TURN THE HUMBLE CASHEW AND BRAZIL INTO LATEST MUST- HAVE SNACK.(Supplement)
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Go nuts! Don't feel bad about eating nuts--these much-maligned morsels are actually good for you.
Magazine article from: Natural Health; 8/1/2002; ; 700+ words
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The nut house: with the latest research in hand, bakers are putting nuts back in baked goods as consumers clamor for tasty, healthful choices--chock-full of nuts.(Ingredient R&D: TRENDS & APPLICATIONS IN INGREDIENT TECHNOLOGY)
Magazine article from: Snack Food & Wholesale Bakery; 11/1/2004; ; 700+ words
; ...with their ongoing nut obsession. Research has shown that eating nuts frequently can dramatically...confused consumers to the nut house. As an element...bakery applications, nuts add flavor, texture...heart. Specifically, nut consumption greatly...Monosaturated oils in nuts protect ...
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Nuts cash in on good news.(Category Snapshot)
Magazine article from: Stagnito's New Products Magazine; 7/1/2005; ; 700+ words
; ...less competition [as a nut product in the produce...working with chefs to promote nuts in recipes, with good...of the nutrition news on nuts to introduce Planters NUT*rition, a line of lightly salted snack nuts in four varieties including...
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Tropical nuts: strong demand in the United Kingdom. (Industry Overview)
Magazine article from: International Trade Forum; 4/1/1994; ; 700+ words
; ...supplies of good quality nuts. In spite of this, the prospects for this nut are considered reasonably...is well suited for nut mixes and contains...health foods. * Cashew nuts. The U.K. market...market. * Macadamia nuts. Although the United...large importer of this nut, imports are ...
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Tree Nuts and Peanuts as Components of a Healthy Diet1,2
Magazine article from: The Journal of Nutrition; 9/1/2008; ; 700+ words
; ...individuals frequently position nuts in the overall diet. Total nut consumption As interest in...European countries, assessed nut (tree nuts and peanuts) and seed intake...surveyed consumed any type of nut (tree nuts, peanuts, or unspecified...
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Nuts to You; Sweet and Savory Tastes for the Holidays
Newspaper article from: The Washington Post; 12/12/1990; ; 700+ words
; ...a meal, seasoned nuts add a tasty - and...to the holidays. Nut concoctions also fall...against sending homemade nut mixtures to troops...Saudi Arabia, as nuts aren't likely to...occasionally. Toss the nuts with 1/2 tablespoon...if desired (the nut mixture is meant to...
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King Nut Company
Book article from: International Directory of Company Histories
...Baskets and Parcels King Nut Company processes...and distributes nuts, dried fruits, pretzels...Municipal Stadium. King Nut's annual sales of nuts and dried fruits totaled...names. By 1997, King Nut was processing one million pounds of nuts (cashews, peanuts...
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Kola Nut
Encyclopedia entry from: Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine
...disorders In Africa, the fresh nuts are chewed as a ceremonial greeting...help aid digestion, as kola nut stimulates gastric acid production. Kola nuts are also known to improve the...suppressant. Other conditions The kola nut is also used to treat migraine...
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Nut
Book article from: Myths and Legends of the World
Nut In Egyptian mythology, Nut was the sky goddess and the mother goddess of ancient Egypt. Egyptian...ground. Typically, her body was painted blue and covered with stars. Nut and Geb, the children of the god Shu (Air) and goddess Tefnut...
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Macadamia Nut
Book article from: How Products Are Made
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Betel Nut
Encyclopedia entry from: Encyclopedia of Drugs, Alcohol, and Addictive Behavior
BETEL NUT Betel nut, the seed of the betel palm ( Areca catechu ), is one of the most widely...a mild stimulant by more than 200 million people. References to betel nut appear in ancient Greek, Sanskrit, and Chinese texts from more than a...
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