Corallai By Michelle Path

6/3/2018

Award-winning children’s author, Michelle Path, introduces us to Corallai:
When Andi is engulfed by a wave, she finds herself transported to an underwater world called Corallai. There she meets Aquanna, a creature who is part fish and part human.
Aquanna tells Andi that it is her destiny to help preserve the oceans and all the life within. Andi learns all about the work the various inhabitants do to ensure the survival of the ocean’s ecosystem, and explores this new, spectacular world.

This is a very cute book! I love the illustrations, with lots of color and clearly drawn, the story is visually expressed in a pleasing way.
Ocean health is a primary concern in this book, and Michelle handles it very carefully for children.
Andi visits the underwater kingdom and gets a solid education that sets the direction for her life. Andi learns about the struggles various underwater plants and animals have coping with environmental pollution, over-fishing by humans, and other assorted ills.
I greatly appreciate the way Michelle writes her stories to stimulate conversation between adults and children.
I award 5 stars to Corallai!

This is the second book about ocean health for children by Michelle. The first is “Rory Aqua Adventure Man”, I reviewed it here.

You can buy this book:
https://www.amazon.com/Corallai-Michelle-Path-ebook
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Corallai-Michelle-Path-ebook
https://www.goodreads.com/corallai

You can follow Michelle Path:
Twitter: @mimilovesu
http://michellepath.com.au/
https://www.facebook.com/Michelle-Path
https://www.goodreads.com/author/Michelle_Path

Kid-lit, children's literature, environment, stewardship, Australia
Copyright © 2018 Mark L Schultz except for the author's introduction

54 Comments

Michelle Path link

6/4/2018 05:59:19 pm

Thanks so much for the review. I am thrilled that you enjoyed my book. I love writing books that have messages about caring for the oceans and marine life. I absolutely love the beach!

Mark

6/4/2018 06:22:57 pm

I have reviewed quite a few of your books, and I enjoy your style of writing quite a bit. One of the things I enjoy is that you encourage interaction between children and adults. You address a lot of issues in your books, from global issues such as health of the oceans to personal issues such as bullying.
Do you plan on addressing other issues in future books?

6/5/2018 04:01:04 pm

For sure. I think incorporating messages into the stories helps to get children interested in books and reading. Encouraging family or even school discussions really helps children engage in reading. It is also a good basic to start writing new material. If you have something to say, then that makes writing easier.

6/5/2018 04:29:03 pm

What issues are you planning to address that you haven't already?
Do you have a favorite genre and/or author for recreational reading? Is there a book that you enjoy reading more than once?

6/5/2018 06:08:12 pm

I am currently writing my 3rd circus book which focuses on lack of rainfall due to taking out all the trees on farms etc. I enjoy biographies for recreational reading. I read a lot of books about singers and bands or women's human rights issues. I rarely get time to read at the moment so don't often reread books.

6/5/2018 06:42:09 pm

Are you musically talented, do you sing or play an instrument or two?
Do you think it's important to tap into the emotions of your characters? Why or why not.

6/5/2018 10:02:35 pm

I can play a bit of music but I am not fluent in it unfortunately. And I can't sing either. If I could do anything in I would love to be a singer or musician but sadly I will never be good enough. I do sometimes play a bit of guitar or keyboard.
I think it is very important to tap into the emotions of my characters. It helps them to be credible and understood by readers. The deeper you delve into a character's emotions the more realistic and believable they become.

6/6/2018 10:00:56 am

Musically, you and I have a lot in common.
Have you ever used yourself as a character in one of your books?
Have you ever used other acquaintances as the basis for a character, to the point they have recognized themselves in your book?

6/6/2018 04:53:24 pm

In my books Cody the Pony and Cody the Pony Goes to Pony Club I based the story around myself and my pony Cody taken from a younger perspective. I always wanted a horse as a child - I got my first horse at age 18. I really have a special bond with Cody and I wanted to share our experiences and show how magical it is to have a pet to love.
I've never used a person in my books but who knows it may happen one day . . . Stay tuned!

6/6/2018 05:03:28 pm

I suspected that when I read the "Cody the Pony" books. I bet that was kind of fun.
Do reading, watching movies, and listening to music help you become a better writer?
Do you think it's important for a person to suffer before they can be a good writer?

6/7/2018 05:10:57 pm

It was fun to write about my own pony. I have more books in this series ready to publish. I think when you write from person experience you can bring a story to life with a lot of heart.
Certainly watching music and movies helps me to become a better writer. Music in particular is something I find inspiring. Some lyrics in songs are so precise and incredibly clever. Music can be very powerful and healing.
I don't think it is necessary to suffer in some way to become a better writer. However it can help you write with more empathy or put a fire under you to write about an injustice of something that you find yourself passionate about.

6/7/2018 05:39:50 pm

That makes a lot of sense about pain, suffering, and empathy.
I know you have been riding for sometime, you have even done it competitively. Your sport of choice is Dressage. Can you talk about that a bit, your awards, and your current level of involvement? How big a part of your life has that been over the years?

6/7/2018 07:11:52 pm

Horses have been a big part of my life. They are my inspiration and the reason I exist. I love them so much. They are beautiful animals and I am constantly learning how to make our partnerships more harmonious. I love dressage. It keeps me motivated and there is always something to work on, in terms of improving yourself and your horse. I mainly complete in adult riding club events and local competitions. You mainly compete for ribbons and in official events you accumulate points and work up the levels from grade 5 to advanced. Cody and I are currently grade 4.
Housing development opposite my place now means it is a bit dangerous to ride. I tried to fight it but no one cares so my peaceful, rural environment is being destroyed right before my eyes. It is a constant, daily stress for me. I hate what is being done. The most frustrating thing is that I have no control over it and no one cares that they are putting me in danger. It is the reason I had an accident on Cody and broke my leg. It has also affected my writing due to the stress and loud noise and disruption. People don't care about what they do to others. Although the situation is horrible, it fires me up to continue writing when I am able to and to continue to push my messages about caring for the environment and preserving our rural areas for everyone to enjoy and benefit from.

6/7/2018 08:09:53 pm

I did not know what caused your accident with Cody. You broke your leg. Was Cody hurt? How is your leg doing now? Any plans to move away from the development?
Are you reading anything for fun at this time, if so what?
"Corallai" is one of your longer books, written for pre-teens, I am guessing. Did it require much research, or were you able to draw on research from the other ocean health book "Rory Aqua, Adventure Man"?

6/7/2018 10:37:32 pm

Cody was fine. He bucked me off. The workmen scared him and get ran off in a panic and bucked me off. I warned the council that it was an accident waiting to happen but my concerns fell on deaf ears. My leg is good now, considering how badly I broke it. It will never be 100% but I can still ride horses and walk around. I can't run anymore. Still it should never have happened in the first place. I would love to more although I absolutely love my house and where I live. It is really hard to watch your home be destroyed and have no say in what happens. It was a real eye opener that someone can come along and have such a negative impact on your life and you are powerless to do anything about it.
I am not reading anything at the moment. I just don't get much time. I read magazines when I get the chance but that is about all. I miss reading. Perhaps over Christmas I might read a book and relax a bit.
Corallai is a book for children aged 7+. It is the kind of story I hope to write in the future. I did research facts for the book. I wanted to get things right so that children could have an informed understanding about the ocean. I did use a similar theme in Rory Aqua Adventure Man. particularly the ending which I won't spoil for anyone who has not read the book yet.

6/8/2018 06:14:00 am

Writing books isn't the only thing you do. You also have a business separate from writing. What is that? Is it hard to balance time between writing, your business, and activities of daily living?
Do you remember when you got your first royalty check, what did you buy to celebrate?

6/8/2018 04:43:10 pm

I started a business making horse halters and dog collars and leads and jewelry called Purple Pony Pets. I began the business after I broke my leg. I love crafts and wanted to try something that I enjoyed which is creating things so I combined my love of animals with my craft skills. It is still in the early stages. I have a website and run an Etsy story.
I do find it hard to balance writing and running a business as well as everything else. It is about finding a balance. The good thing is when I am not inspired to write I can work on my business and visa versa.
My first royalty check wasn't big and it was from Little Steps where Suki and the Seedling was published (it is now going to be published through my own company Purple Pony Publishing and will be available worldwide). I put the money back into my business to pay for advertising etc for the book.

6/8/2018 06:04:43 pm

It sounds like you have found a creative balance, doing two things that you love. Well done!
Have you ever done a book signing or a literary blog tour? What would an ideal event like one or the other look like in your mind's eye?
A lot of writers use a pen name. what do you think are the advantages and disadvantages of that?

6/8/2018 08:06:45 pm

I like to keep busy as I get bored easily so it is good for me to have several things on the go at once.
I haven't done any book signings but I did a couple of talks to educators and a writers' group. My ideal event would be a book signing. I'd love to meet fans of my work and just interact with people.
I think using a pen name is a personal choice. I understand why some authors use pen names. Having something you create out in public can be daunting. I don't have a problem with using my real name for my work. I stand by what I write and it is fine if someone dislikes my stories. Reading is a personal experience and not everyone will like what you write. Being anonymous on the other hand can be an advantage if you suddenly find yourself the focus of media attention because your book sells millions of copies and suddenly everyone wants to know everything about you. I'm not sure if there are any disadvantages as such. It's really a personal choice.

6/8/2018 08:16:56 pm

Can you see any circumstance where you might use a pen name?
Do you feel a good book will sell itself or not?

6/8/2018 10:27:19 pm

Perhaps. Maybe to separate my children's book from some of the dark fantasy pieces I am working on.
I think without marketing and reviews it is very hard for a good book to get noticed. I think if an author is lucky enough to have a best seller then their other titles will certainly sell themselves. Writing a book is the easiest part, it is trying to get your name out there and get your books noticed that is the hard part.

6/9/2018 07:47:14 am

There are a lot of really good books out there. There are books that I still love even after reading so many others. I read 50 to 60 books a year.
Marketing seems to be a critical part of the equation. In your own experience, which type of marketing has been most successful? Do you think marketing can overcome the limitations of a mediocre book?

6/9/2018 05:01:22 pm

I wish I had more time to read. I love reading and find it very relaxing.
I think reviews have been the most successful form of marketing for me. That and making phone calls to bookshops. Being an Indie author is incredibly difficult. There is still the stigma of indie authors being second rate which is just not true. In my case I was ready to have my work published but no one would give me a change. Getting published is as much luck and it is talent with so many aspiring authors out there and the fact that self publishing has made it easier for authors to get their work published.
If a book is mediocre I think it will be judged that way by readers and reviewers so I don't think marketing can help books that are not up to standard.

6/9/2018 05:58:39 pm

I can hear thousands of echoes from indie authors saying just what you said. It is not an easy task, no matter which path you choose.
I am amazed at the sheer volume of talented authors writing their hearts into some great books. I want to read every book.
How long did it take to write "Corallai"? Were there any parts that you decided to not include in the final draft, why? Was there any part of this book that was particularly easy or hard to write?

6/9/2018 07:05:55 pm

I guess at the end of the day we write because we simply love to write. But we do put a great deal of time and money into our books so getting them out there into bookshops where they can be visible would be fantastic. It costs a lot of money to self publish for very little financial reward if any.
Books by indie authors push the boundaries. We tend to write books that push the boundaries and do not always slot into categories or a set theme which is what happens a lot in traditional publishing. We are free to write without limitations. We are not inferior to traditionally published authors. In a lot of cases we write better books. I'd prefer to read Indie books nowadays because I am sick of reading books that set in the same formula. I want to be surprised and read something I haven't read before.
Corallai took me over a year to write. I had to let the book sit a few times while I thought up the characters and created new ones. I edit as I go along. I didn't need to take out any large amounts of text as I went along and made the final draft. Creating the characters and making them work within the book was difficult at times. When you are coming up with something unique it can take a while to come to life.That is when I would leave the story and work on something else or wait until inspiration struck. Sometimes I find not forcing the story out works best. This is why I like to have a few stories on the go at once. Some flow and others take longer to create.

6/9/2018 07:24:23 pm

Your method of having multiple projects seems to work for you quite well. I have heard of other authors doing something very similar, sometimes with short stories or poetry.
When you have a book out there and reviews come in, do those reviews affect your writing a sequel or even a different story altogether?
How many different social media streams do you use to sell your books? Is there one that is better or worse than the others?

6/9/2018 10:41:32 pm

Sometimes if I get a review on a book I am thinking of doing a sequel on it will encourage me to write a sequel. It also encourages me to write new stories sometimes too.
I use Twitter, Facebook. LinkedIn, Tumblr and Instagram. I find that Twitter and Instagram work the best as you have instant gratification and know who is liking your posts. I think the Facebook is probably the one that works the least. Also Tumblr does nothing for me either although I do try to post content on all if I can.

6/10/2018 06:31:02 am

If nothing else, Twitter is good at instant feedback.
You have written quite a few books. Is there one that is your favorite? Is there one that seems to be a favorite of your readers, judging by sales and reviews?
What does your family think of you being a fulltime writer or do they think of you as an entrepreneur and a businesswoman?

6/10/2018 04:40:16 pm

Corallai is one of my favorite books as well as Rory Aqua Adventure Man. After that the Cody series. I think Corallia has the potential to do well - fingers crossed - and the first Cody the Pony book sold well in horse shops in Australia. This has been my most successful book so far.
My family don't really take me serious with my writing. I was always the black sheep in the family in a way, having horses and working in the family business instead of what was expected of me. It is really only my Mum and brother in my family over here. The rest of my family live in Germany which is a pity as I would love to know my relatives and have more family around me.

6/10/2018 04:58:19 pm

I would be surprised if a lot of writers don't share your experience of not being taken seriously by family members.
Did you get a lot of pushback when you told your family that you were going to be a full-time writer?
Do you have a favorite motivational phrase to keep yourself going?
What do you think of book trailers, have you ever made one?

6/10/2018 06:51:53 pm

I think when it comes down to it, you have to trust and believe in yourself anyway. It does take a lot of courage to actually send your work to publishers or self publish your books. Doubts tend to creep in which can be very difficult to push through at times.
I don't really have a phrase that keeps me going. My horses and dogs are a great motivation for me to keep going. Plus my rural lifestyle which I feel people need to experience. Nature and animals can be grounding and it is still the basis for human existence which tends to be forgotten these days.
I have thought about doing a book trailer. I do research the pros and cons of this. I am not sure it would work but I would be willing to try. I think the thing would be to find someone who has a lot of followers on social media who can help get your book noticed otherwise it might not be worth it.

6/10/2018 07:03:22 pm

Exposure is a critical component of that equation, no doubt.
How many acres do you have on your farm? Do you have more than one horse? What other critters do you keep?
How about poetry? Is there a particular form you enjoy more than others? Have you written any poetry?

6/10/2018 07:14:20 pm

Exposure can either make or break and author. I am still relatively unknown at this stage but with the support of some reviewers like yourself it helps to get our name out there. I am incredibly thankful to the people who have given me advice and given my work a chance.
I have about 6 acres on my farm and have 4 horses, plus a Shetland x miniature pony who I have leased to a friend who has children. He is actually mentioned in the first Cody book - Midnight. I miss having him at home but he now has children to love and care for him. I also have 3 dogs and 4 chickens plus a water trough full of goldfish.
I have written poetry. I used to write a lot of poetry as a teenager / young adult. I don't write a lot of poetry these days but I recently did some motivational quotes which I posted on Twitter and Instagram. I do enjoy writing chapter books like Corallai the best. They may take longer to write but being able to get into details and have an unlimited word count to do this is really my forte. I have written a Roald Dahl style book which is yet unpublished and am working on the sequel plus I have a few other longer stories that I am working on currently.

6/10/2018 07:32:35 pm

Growing up on a farm myself, I knew one thing for sure as a young adult. I didn't want to be a farmer. I like gardening, even organic gardening; but on a small scale.
I have not read a Roald Dahl book. What is the style of Roald Dahl? He was a very prolific writer, many different genres! He wrote a lot of books for children.
Are there any other authors you try to emulate in your writing?

6/10/2018 07:58:58 pm

I could never be a farmer either. I would like a bit more land and I love having a veggie garden but I couldn't breed animals to be killed for food. And it is an incredibly harsh and unpredictable lifestyle. Still I need to be away from living in a town. It just isn't for me. I am finding it very stressful having housing development going on at my place. It makes trying to write incredibly hard. The noise and disruption to my life especially how people behave near my horses disgusts me.
I hadn't read a Roald Dahl book until a couple of years ago. He is cheeky, politically incorrect at times and sarcastic. I like this. It is funny. I think we live in a world where we are not allowed to say and do a lot of things these days. I am not advocating bullying and discrimination in any way, shape or form but I think we are going to far these days.
I try not to emulate any other authors. I believe you need to find your own voice and writing style to stand out. There are authors that I do admire such as Dr Seuss, Enid Blyton in particular. I use them as inspiration. Enid Blyton wrote a lot of different style books which is something I also try to do. I don't believe you should write the same book over and over.

6/10/2018 08:12:58 pm

Farming can be brutal and satisfying in many ways.
It's easy for me to imagine how devastating you are feeling with the construction right there.
Let me rephrase that last question. What famous author, living or dead, would you most like to meet and why?
What do you think about audio books? Have you ever considered turning one of your books into an audio book?

6/10/2018 09:03:19 pm

I'd actually love to meet Roald Dahl. He must have had a wicked sense of humor. Also Enid Blyton. What an imagination. I am sure she would have a lot of interesting advice for an up and comin author. Oh and C.S Lewis. I absolutely love The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe. So not one but three!
I would definitely considering turning one of my books into an audio book if I could. I have no idea on how to go about it. I should look into it.

6/10/2018 09:29:10 pm

Three is a good choice! Especially C.S. Lewis. He is one of my favorites. He wrote 7 volumes in the Chronicles of Narnia. What a lot of people don't know is he wrote a marvelous sci-fi trilogy also, the first volume being, "Out of the Silent Planet". He patterned the MC after his good friend, J.R.R. Tolkien.
I hope you do look into the audio book thing. I have reviewed a couple audio books previously. They were fun, and no spelling errors! I love that!
When you wrote "Corallai", did you pattern Andi after anyone in particular? Have you ever needed to pattern characters after people you have known or met?

6/10/2018 10:04:21 pm

I didn't know that about C.S. Lewis. I will certainly have to look up those books and check them out.
Yes! I guess that is the advantage of audio books! I hate spelling mistakes in books. I've been lucky with most of mine. If I do find a mistake after publication I try to get it corrected.
Andi wasn't patterned after anyone in particular. I guess you could say that was me as a child. I loved exploring the rock pools and going to the beach: I still do. When I am writing children's books I tend to let the inner child run free. That is how a lot of the strange and wonderful characters in my books are formed.
I've never consciously used a person for the basis for any of my characters. I do have a dark piece about housing development which I have based it on the people who helped destroy my life. It may never see the light of day but who knows . . . It was therapeutic to write it. I haven't delved deep into the book but it is nasty and sarcastic just like the situation they inflicted on me.

6/11/2018 11:10:50 am

Andi could have been me also, like you, I have always been entranced by the ocean and tide pool life. If it hadn't been for architecture I probably would have become a marine biologist.
I am so sorry to hear your situation has turned so sour, because of that housing development.
When an idea for a book first forms in your mind, do you start with putting it down on paper or your PC? Is there any software you have found particularly useful for writing, such as Scrivner?

6/11/2018 04:27:12 pm

I usually write down new ideas I get for books especially if they are inspirational snippets, otherwise I tend to forget. There is nothing worse than having an idea and it vanishes. I usually jot these ideas down in a notebook I keep for such times. If I get an idea that I can immediately start work on and I am on the computer I will just start working on the actual story.
I use Microsoft Word for all my writing. I did try Whatpad or whatever it is called but I am not that computer savvy so I like to stick to what I know. Also I don't have a lot of time to learn new software. I have however been quite good at learning some graphics based online programs which I use for my social media such as Canva.

6/11/2018 04:35:41 pm

I do a bit of the same thing, I have a notebook I use for business ideas, I also track the changes I make to my website. I have even used the notepad on my phone when I wasn't home.
Have you ever gone on an organized writer's retreat? How about attending a seminar or lecture to improve certain skills a self-publishing writer needs to know? A lot of writers are walking the same path you are.

6/11/2018 06:06:59 pm

It is certainly important to keep notes and ideas written down. I have a pile of paper next to my computer where I keep notes etc. It is disorganized chaos. With important things I keep them in a book sometimes.
I haven't done any writing seminars or writer retreats. I've got so much going on that is hard to get away. I do read writer magazines and my Writer's Victoria magazine which I am a member of. There are a lot of hints and ideas in there. Perhaps one day I will get to a seminar or do a writing course. It would certainly be inspiring to do so.

6/11/2018 06:20:40 pm

I have a piece of good news for you, there have been over 900 views of the book review during this week.
I thought you would like to know.
Looking back at your first book, would you say your writing has changed a little or a lot?
Sometimes authors will give a book away for a limited time, in conjunction with an advertising campaign on social media or through email. Have you ever tried that route? If so, how did it work out for you? If not, why not?

6/11/2018 07:11:39 pm

Wow! That is an impressive amount of views. That's amazing!
My writing changes all the time. I grow as an author and also challenge myself by writing in different styles and genres. It is important to adapt to what the reader wants too. I go on reviews and comments too. Whether positive or negative I welcome people telling me what they think of my books - as long as it is constructive criticism.
I did give Rory Aqua Adventure Man away for free 9ebook version) on Amazon. It didn't really do much. No one left a review and it certainly did not result in sales for me in the future. I am happy to send out review books but it would be nice that in return people left reviews.
I am guilty of not leaving reviews too but now that I am a published author I see how important it is for people to leave reviews so I make more of an effort to do so.
I have yet to try an email compaign. It is just ignorance on how to do this that has prevented me from doing so. I will certainly be working on this in the future.

6/11/2018 07:18:45 pm

Research an email campaign, promote the book, the list never ends it seems for a self-published author.
Do you have a list of email addresses? Like of people who have bought your books in the past, or people who have signed up on your website?
Have you ever thought about joining a writers club, such as Rave Reviews Book Club?

6/11/2018 07:39:15 pm

Research and learning is never ending as an author. There is always something new to discover or to improve on. I have to admit I have not really got a list of emails. I find my website a bit hard to use. I actually want to make a new one that is a bit more user friendly. I am not very familiar with Wordpress although I am learning more about how to use it.
Apart from Writer's Victoria I have not joined any book clubs but I will certainly check out the one you mentioned.

6/11/2018 07:44:53 pm

Another author, here in Oregon, Stanley Straub has recently joined RRBC and seems quite happy about it. His Twitter handle is @faststan.
Tell me more about Writer's Victoria, it sounds like it could be a useful resource for other writers.

6/11/2018 08:10:22 pm

Writers Victoria is a paid membership club run in Melbourne. They put out a magazine every 2 months if I am correct. It has advice and articles which is helpful to writer in various stages and abilities and a source of helpful tools are resources.

6/11/2018 08:16:27 pm

Is WV designed for writers in Australia only or is it open to anybody? If it's open to everyone, would you like to share their web address in case others would like to check them out?
You mentioned a fantasy project before, would you like to share any tidbits about that?

Michelle link

6/11/2018 11:35:02 pm

Here is the link to Writers Victoria https://writersvictoria.org.au/. While it is based in Victoria I don't see why other writers can't check out their site. I am sure new members are always welcome.
I've got a few fantasy projects on the go. One is a twilight based dark fantasy for teenagers and young adults. The character is of a race that no one has heard of before so I better not reveal too much. I have been working on that a little lately but it is slow to write and needs quite a bit of detail. There is another fantasy / adventure project I am working on that is something like a Terry Brooks style book but of course, here too the characters differ a lot. There is the bond that grows between the main character and his mount which will make the book interesting. I can't reveal too much about either project yet. I really need to get to work and try to finish these pieces though. Time is slipping away . . . As I mentioned before I always wanted to write fantasy so I am basically going back to writing what I enjoy best. The trouble with fantasy is that it has been done a lot. I actually got sick of reading fantasy after a while so when I am working on my fantasy novels I have to ensure I bring something new to the table.

6/12/2018 07:28:48 am

Thanks for sharing the link.
I have reviewed quite a few of your books. Fantasy is one of my favorite genres, I love stories about dragons and epic quests. I am looking forward to reading your new projects. Thanks for sharing about them, as much as you did.
Our time is up for now, we can pick it up again at a later date.
I have really enjoyed this time chatting with you. I am glad you are writing more.

Words have meaning and spelling makes a difference.

6/12/2018 04:18:20 pm

Thanks Mark. It's been a pleasure answering your questions. You will certainly be seeing new books from me in the future. And perhaps there will be dragons too!

6/12/2018 04:25:43 pm

I have enjoyed our conversation a great deal. Dragons? I am in!

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Corallai By Michelle Path

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