A novel of modern whaling and youth

Napier children’s author Adele Broadbent is turning to the sea for inspiration in her latest novel, If Only.

The novel’s main protagonist is 15-year-old Kayla, whose first real try at breaking the rules proves to be a bit of disaster. The pain of realising she has let down those close to her and the constant wondering what might have happened if only she had chosen differently eats away at her.

An unexpected consequence means she meets a boy, learns the truth, and she just might get to save a life — of a whale.

We catch up with Adele to find out what’s behind her decision to take a dive into young adult fiction.

What prompted you to write Where did the story come from?

As I was painting a display mural for one of my first books, I was listening to some music. Nik Kershaw was the vinyl on at the time, and one of his songs has always stopped me in my tracks, wherever I am or whatever I’m doing. It is such a moving, sad song that it captures my full attention every time. It is called Save the Whale and is of course about modern whaling. This suddenly triggered a compulsion to do something, which led to writing something, which ultimately led to If Only. There are other issues in the novel inspired by national news at the time, and personal events too. I always enjoy writing multiple threads to a story which intertwine.

Why whales? Whenever I’m working on early drafts of a story, I immerse myself in information, movies, books, story — everything I can — on the novel’s themes and topics. While doing this I discovered Project Jonah NZ, the amazing organisation that works with DoC/ saving whales and other marine mammals that find themselves on our beaches. Project Jonah has been doing this incredible work since 1974. They inspired so much of If Only, reading early drafts of the novel and answering my many questions to ensure authenticity. I hope my characters’ experiences might aid anyone who suddenly discovers a stranded whale or dolphin on a beach. This awe at the work Project Jonah does, the beauty and majestic nature of the animals themselves, and Nik Kershaw’s haunting song are all important ingredients in the story’s first concepts.

Is this like your other books or a bit of a departure?

This is my first novel for young adults which was a new challenge for me, but a welcome one. I always enjoy the research that goes into my stories, the people I interview and what I learn along the way, and this story was no different.

How do you get inside the teen mind?

Travelling back to my inner 15-year-old self was so much fun. The more I did it, the more my main character Kayla came to life — I was similar in many ways to her, not part of the popular crowd. Of course first love is intense enough to remember quite clearly when returning to it in memory. Teens are different in every new generation, but some things are the same with everyone. Family, friendships, first loves and loyalty.

■ The Book Launch of If Only is at Wardini Books Napier, 5.30pm, Thursday, March 5 and is also a fundraiser for Project Jonah NZ, with a gold coin donation at the door much appreciated. All royalties from the book launch sales will be donated to Project Jonah, along with any other donations.