Devise five interviews questions (with answers) for one of the characters Q1. Jasper, could you tell us about yourself and family? I’m an Australian 14 year old boy. I’ve had a real hard life, ya know. My Dad’s always pissed drunk, and my mum died when I was small. My grandfather was scared when Dad married my mum, ‘cus he was scared that in marrying a black woman as a white man, he be corrupting the family. But turns out it was all good, and my Grandfather ended up spendin’ more time with her than his own son. Damn bastard, my Dad. Ended up drinking more and more, leavin’ his family behind. I lost my respect for him, ya know. If he hadn’t done that, I probably wouldn’t of run away. Mum died when my Grandfather crashed the car, so I had to fend for myself. Left my family, wandered, made home in the bush and stole to live. On ‘toppa that, the whole town has somethin’ against me, but I dun’ care. Never liked this town anyways. Q2. Are you really what the town makes of you; an outcast in town? A. Only if ya didn’t know me then ya’d say so. Truth is, I’m misunderstood, but I got used to it. Probably ‘cus I steal, but ‘cus I needa keep my stomach full. Promise ya I never stole more than I need. People call me a liar, a thug, a truant. ‘This is how ya end up if you’re disobedient’. I’m blamed for most bad things here, ya know, like when the post office burnt down. Q3. Can you tell me about Laura Wishart? A. Really wish she was still here. I loved her, an’ she loved me. We’d use to see each other in secret, didn’t matter what time it was. I remember when I saw her dead, an’ that was the first time inna’ long time that I’d cried. She was the world to me. We planned to do so much together. But now she’s gone forever. That night I remember so well with Charlie. Both knew what we’d needa do an’ tied her up, threw her in the river. Worst thing that had to be done, dun’ think I’ll ever forgive me. Q4. What did you think when you realised that Jack Lionel was never the killer? A. I was speechless. Never felt so foolish in me life. Thought I knew all this time, boy was I wrong. Think I was just too angry ‘bout my love, an’ I just wanted answers. I’m an idiot, I know. It was easy to blame Lionel, ‘cus there was no one else to. Always thought he had somethin’ against me, but he’s my grandfather. He’d never do that. Q5. Do you have any future motives? A. Shit, I wanna leave this damn town. Gettin’ outta Corrigan for good. Hate this place. Gonna miss Charlie and company, but I gotta go. I hope he understands. I needa’ new life somewhere else away from all this trouble. Get a job, maybe even work on the minefields, and earn the life I never had. I needa’ start again. |
Re-write a scene to show a different character’s point of view
(Jeffrey Lu’s view on the attack of his father)
I woke up from muffled voices and laughing. It’s midnight. What was it? I slowly open my eyes and peer out the window. Then I saw it. Through my distorted vision I could make out four guys on our front lawn. What were they doing?
I was about to move when I saw my Dad confront them, in the doorway. He’s as confused as I am. I can hear him asking questions, but I still can’t make out what they’re doing. But then I realise. They are destroying our garden.
‘What are you.....E-Excuse me...’ my Dad stammers, as he watches his years of hard work get destroyed. His palms are out and now he’s pointing at the garden. I can sense the fear in his mind.
And then it happened. One of the men swung at his face. He buckles, but he still stands. A surge of anger rushed through my body.
I’ve had enough.
I bolted out of my bedroom and rushed down the corridor. With each step I got more and more furious. Those white bastards just destroyed our garden and now my Dad’s next. I don’t care if I’m a gnome. I’m going to crucify each and every one of those f***tards.
When I approach the doorway, Dad’s on the front lawn, covering his face. I’m even angrier. Without deciding to think, my anger overtakes me. I sprint at the attackers, yelling a bloodthirsty scream. My body is suddenly pumped. I’m going to end their lives. Painfully.
I am about to pass the doorway when an arm pulls me backwards. It’s Mum. She’s trying to hold me. ‘Stop, Jeffrey!’ she yells franticly. I slap her wrist for her to free me, but she just holds on tighter. I fight against her strength, but it’s no use. Why did she do that? Why didn’t she let me have my vengeance? I keep screaming. Not only at the attackers, but at Mum. I want to break loose, and break them. I can’t stand seeing my Dad on the floor. He is defenceless. The men keep hitting, insulting and spitting on him. But I can’t do anything but scream louder and louder as tears of frustration run down my red cheeks. My teeth are grinding as I imagine that I’m grinding their flesh. I am motivated to kill, but I can’t do anything. I want to fight.
Fortunately, not long after I see Charlie’s dad come along to help. He’s so goddamn tall and strong. Through the clutch of my Mum, I watch him as he takes his revenge for me. He rips one of the men away and pushes another while swiftly dodging a punch. He slips in Between them and my injured Dad, who is now crawling up the steps on his haunches. A part of me is suddenly relieved, but the anger is still burning at my heart. If I were him, I would have curb stomped their skulls in half. I would have payed to see that.
Mum has finally released me as she rushes to Dad. She’s sobbing as he helps him up, but I’m just standing here with the night wind blowing against my face. I don’t know what to do. My fists are still clenched. I don’t know if I should chase after them or just stay here and comfort Dad.
However, when I see one of the men on the floor after his encounter with Harry Rawlings, the superman next door, I decided to take the chance. I charge past the door like a rhino with my body engulfed in rage. I’m going to do it. I’m going to crush his face. I am approaching him fast. I swing my leg up, but in an instant I’m stopped again, this time by Harry. Again, I try to claw myself free. I just want one chance. Once again I am screaming. Harry picks me up like a baby and plants me down on the veranda.
Now that I think of it, it was probably a good thing I didn’t charge in. I am still a gnome, after all.
(Jeffrey Lu’s view on the attack of his father)
I woke up from muffled voices and laughing. It’s midnight. What was it? I slowly open my eyes and peer out the window. Then I saw it. Through my distorted vision I could make out four guys on our front lawn. What were they doing?
I was about to move when I saw my Dad confront them, in the doorway. He’s as confused as I am. I can hear him asking questions, but I still can’t make out what they’re doing. But then I realise. They are destroying our garden.
‘What are you.....E-Excuse me...’ my Dad stammers, as he watches his years of hard work get destroyed. His palms are out and now he’s pointing at the garden. I can sense the fear in his mind.
And then it happened. One of the men swung at his face. He buckles, but he still stands. A surge of anger rushed through my body.
I’ve had enough.
I bolted out of my bedroom and rushed down the corridor. With each step I got more and more furious. Those white bastards just destroyed our garden and now my Dad’s next. I don’t care if I’m a gnome. I’m going to crucify each and every one of those f***tards.
When I approach the doorway, Dad’s on the front lawn, covering his face. I’m even angrier. Without deciding to think, my anger overtakes me. I sprint at the attackers, yelling a bloodthirsty scream. My body is suddenly pumped. I’m going to end their lives. Painfully.
I am about to pass the doorway when an arm pulls me backwards. It’s Mum. She’s trying to hold me. ‘Stop, Jeffrey!’ she yells franticly. I slap her wrist for her to free me, but she just holds on tighter. I fight against her strength, but it’s no use. Why did she do that? Why didn’t she let me have my vengeance? I keep screaming. Not only at the attackers, but at Mum. I want to break loose, and break them. I can’t stand seeing my Dad on the floor. He is defenceless. The men keep hitting, insulting and spitting on him. But I can’t do anything but scream louder and louder as tears of frustration run down my red cheeks. My teeth are grinding as I imagine that I’m grinding their flesh. I am motivated to kill, but I can’t do anything. I want to fight.
Fortunately, not long after I see Charlie’s dad come along to help. He’s so goddamn tall and strong. Through the clutch of my Mum, I watch him as he takes his revenge for me. He rips one of the men away and pushes another while swiftly dodging a punch. He slips in Between them and my injured Dad, who is now crawling up the steps on his haunches. A part of me is suddenly relieved, but the anger is still burning at my heart. If I were him, I would have curb stomped their skulls in half. I would have payed to see that.
Mum has finally released me as she rushes to Dad. She’s sobbing as he helps him up, but I’m just standing here with the night wind blowing against my face. I don’t know what to do. My fists are still clenched. I don’t know if I should chase after them or just stay here and comfort Dad.
However, when I see one of the men on the floor after his encounter with Harry Rawlings, the superman next door, I decided to take the chance. I charge past the door like a rhino with my body engulfed in rage. I’m going to do it. I’m going to crush his face. I am approaching him fast. I swing my leg up, but in an instant I’m stopped again, this time by Harry. Again, I try to claw myself free. I just want one chance. Once again I am screaming. Harry picks me up like a baby and plants me down on the veranda.
Now that I think of it, it was probably a good thing I didn’t charge in. I am still a gnome, after all.