What is a quest story?
A quest novel, film or story tells of an adventurous journey undertaken by the main character to find a solution to a problem. In the quest, this character usually meets with and overcomes a series of obstacles. In the end, they return with a solution to the problem and the benefits of knowledge learned along the way. Often, the character that provides the solution to the problem is the character who seems like the most unlikely hero.
Quest stories are highly imaginative. They are sometimes set in imaginary worlds with fantastic creatures. They are often set in the past and have themes of good and evil. They contain a series of obstacles to overcome, tests to be challenged by, riddles to be solved or dangerous missions to complete.
In quest stories, the main character may appear to be weak, shy or cowardly at the beginning of the story and may seem like they will not be able to complete the journey. By the end of the story, through the challenges they have to overcome, the way they see themselves and the way others see them, has usually changed to strong, confident and heroic.
Quest stories are highly imaginative. They are sometimes set in imaginary worlds with fantastic creatures. They are often set in the past and have themes of good and evil. They contain a series of obstacles to overcome, tests to be challenged by, riddles to be solved or dangerous missions to complete.
In quest stories, the main character may appear to be weak, shy or cowardly at the beginning of the story and may seem like they will not be able to complete the journey. By the end of the story, through the challenges they have to overcome, the way they see themselves and the way others see them, has usually changed to strong, confident and heroic.
Emily Rodda
Emily Rodda grew up with her two younger brothers on Sydney's North Shore and graduated from the University of Sydney in 1973 with an MA (Hons) in English Literature. Always an avid reader, she moved naturally into a career in publishing, first as a book editor, and finally as Publisher at Angus & Robertson. Later she became Editor of the Australian Women's Weekly.
Emily Rodda's first book, Something Special, was published in 1984. It began as a bedtime story she told to her young daughter, the eldest of her four children. Since then she has written over 100 books for children, ranging from picture books to novels.
As Jennifer Rowe (her real name) she has also written several mystery novels for adults, and created the characters and storylines for the TV series Murder Call. Her children's books include the internationally best-selling Deltora Quest and Rowan of Rin fantasy series. She has won the Children's Book Council of Australia's Book of the Year for Younger Readers Award a record six times. She has also received many Children's Choice awards and the Aurealis fantasy award.
Emily Rodda has been a full-time writer since 1994. "I feel very lucky to have a job I love so much," she says. She is passionate about children's reading, believing that books stimulate the imagination and teach logic and empathy in a way that games and movies can't. She believes strongly that in order to develop reading stamina, and thus gain the tools to move on to more complex books, children need a good supply of fast-moving, entertaining stories that will grip their attention and make them want to read on.
In 1995 she won the prestigious Dromkeen Medal. The judges of the award said of her that she "maintains a prolific writing schedule, continues to provide a role model in promoting children's literature, and still spends many hours sharing her love of books with children and educators". In 2019 she was awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Western Sydney, and in the same year was made a Companion of the Order of Australia for her services to Australian literature.
She and her husband Bob live in the Blue Mountains west of Sydney with a loving but very naughty Labrador called Sadie.
Emily Rodda's first book, Something Special, was published in 1984. It began as a bedtime story she told to her young daughter, the eldest of her four children. Since then she has written over 100 books for children, ranging from picture books to novels.
As Jennifer Rowe (her real name) she has also written several mystery novels for adults, and created the characters and storylines for the TV series Murder Call. Her children's books include the internationally best-selling Deltora Quest and Rowan of Rin fantasy series. She has won the Children's Book Council of Australia's Book of the Year for Younger Readers Award a record six times. She has also received many Children's Choice awards and the Aurealis fantasy award.
Emily Rodda has been a full-time writer since 1994. "I feel very lucky to have a job I love so much," she says. She is passionate about children's reading, believing that books stimulate the imagination and teach logic and empathy in a way that games and movies can't. She believes strongly that in order to develop reading stamina, and thus gain the tools to move on to more complex books, children need a good supply of fast-moving, entertaining stories that will grip their attention and make them want to read on.
In 1995 she won the prestigious Dromkeen Medal. The judges of the award said of her that she "maintains a prolific writing schedule, continues to provide a role model in promoting children's literature, and still spends many hours sharing her love of books with children and educators". In 2019 she was awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Western Sydney, and in the same year was made a Companion of the Order of Australia for her services to Australian literature.
She and her husband Bob live in the Blue Mountains west of Sydney with a loving but very naughty Labrador called Sadie.