As a writer and magazine editor, Kate Preece spent 14 years sharing other people’s stories. Now she is sharing her own, having fun and winning accolades along the way. She talks to Cityscape about inspiration, celebration and her goals for 2023.

Congratulations on the awards you have been winning for your writing – you must be rapt? Absolutely. One Weka Went Walking is really hitting its stride. I couldn’t be more pleased with how it has been received and love seeing it on the shelves. It’s been a real buzz winning an international short story competition too. This year has been about building up my literary CV, and being able to add awards to it is what I need to make this passion into a career.

How is it different to your previous writing roles and magazine editing? It has been a huge change of pace. I’m no longer juggling the needs of six mastheads, and the deadlines I have now are all self-imposed. I’ve enjoyed 14 years sharing other people’s stories but now my own characters are leading the way – it’s so much fun! As a kid, I went to the Christchurch School For Young Writers and it feels like I’ve returned to where it all started.

How did the shift come about? I started writing a novel, inspired by a Banks Peninsula bach we almost bought with a group of friends. This was ticking along in the background while I was at Allied Press Magazines. However, in order to achieve my next goal – to publish a novel – it needed my full attention.

What was the inspiration for your children’s book One Weka Went Walking? My husband is from Rēkohu/Wharekauri and during a visit there in 2014 I began playing with what is now the starting line on every page: ‘One weka went walking and what did he…’ I enjoyed working with the rhythm and the subsequent rhyme, and exploring the islands through the eyes of the ever-present and particularly curious weka. The book is designed to showcase rare, endemic Chatham Island birds, which could not have been better portrayed than by my friend, Pippa Ensor.

Your winning short story Lake Fly really captures the way siblings communicate – what are you drawing on there? I wanted to present a frank, unimpeded discussion that challenged societal values and felt a sibling relationship was the one to communicate that most realistically.

What writing projects do you have on the go now? Much like my previous job, I am always spinning more than one plate! I’m writing a children’s book that will follow on from One Weka Went Walking, and a trilingual counting book. Part of my short story prize is a 10-week course with the Exisle Academy, so within that I am fine-tuning my adult fiction novel and developing my second.

How do you juggle that with raising two children? Blocks of time or fitted around? Writing is something I can do anywhere, any time, so the kids’ schedules are more like breaks in my day. When I worked full-time, I would dictate passages of my novel into my phone on the drive in to the office and fix the words up later. Now, if I’m working on a novel, I aim to write 1000 words every day and once that is done, I feel accomplished and can go enjoy time with the family. The children’s books are worked on all the time. I use a lot of rhyme so little lines get a lot of attention.

Is there a particular book or author that has inspired you in your life or career? Girl A (2021) by Abigail Dean for its shock factor – I definitely want my novels to have that.

What are you looking forward to the most now that we can mix and mingle more? Wine and food festivals – the summer calendar is filled with them and Canterbury knows how to throw the best ones.

I can’t leave the house without … The pen Pippa gave me for signing books.

What’s one thing people probably don’t know about you? My dear friend and mentor Jon Gadsby was the MC at our wedding and Jo Seagar served the food!

Do you have any goals for 2023? Have my novel accepted by a publisher, publish my next children’s book, and repeat. I might even try my hand at some young adult fiction!

You’ve got friends coming from out of town. how do you show off the city in - 2 hours: Park at The Crossing, peruse the shops, wander through to Tūranga for coffee and culture, and back up through Cashel Mall via The Juniper Collective. A half-day: Lunch at The Brewery, shopping at The Tannery, then out to Sumner for a walk on the beach and an ice cream. 24 hours: Brunch at Hello Sunday, shopping at The Colombo (the Curious Dog Bookshop is a must-visit!), ziplining at the Canterbury Adventure Park, drinks at gin gin, dinner at Seven, cocktails at the Pink Lady.

Where do you go to - Wine and dine with friends: BYO and peking duck pancakes at North & South Gourmet, Addington. Shop up a storm: Loft Preloved Boutique, Tai Tapu. Get away from it all: Camp Bay, Banks Peninsula.