Young writer self-publishes book on Kaimanawa horses
What started off as a routine school project about Kaimanawa horses has evolved into a a 50-page book that could soon be in local book stores.
Lupita Taylor, 15, of Belmont, wrote and illustrated The First Kaimanawa which tells the tale of Bush the pony arriving in New Zealand by boat and his adventures across the motu making new friends whilst looking for a home.
“We had a school project where we could do whatever we wanted,” Lupita said. “I like horses and I thought it could be cool learning about the horses that we have in New Zealand.”
The school project ran for five months last year and, from the beginning, Lupita had cast her eyes on publishing a potential book about the horses. She liked writing and thought it could be “good to see if I could write a book”.
Once the project was over, the hard work began. She spent weeks writing the first draft, finding it easier to write in pencil rather than a computer.
“Whenever I come up with an idea I have to start writing, otherwise I’ll lose it.
“I just made myself sit down every day and for at least 20 minutes, try and write out a whole chapter.”
Research took the longest time as Lupita dived into books to find out about the horses’ personalities, their diet or the struggles they faced.
It took her a further five months from the end of the school project to getting the book published, using her savings from delivering the Hutt News.
Mum Sacha Lees is “incredibly proud” of her daughter’s achievement.
“She’s worked really hard and consistently to make it happen,” she said. “I never imagined that she would see one through to completion because she so enjoyed the process of coming up with characters.
“She really surprised us, making it come to fruition.”