“The purpose of a storyteller is not to tell you how to think, but to give you questions to think upon...”
― Brandon Sanderson
SHELLY HIGGS
WRITER/DIRECTOR/DRAMATURG
WRITING
Shelly has been writing on and off for the past 20 years.
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With plays from fringe show The Toilet Monologues, to kids theatre pieces such as The Magic Story Coat, The Battle of the Storytellers and theatre in education piece Irreconcilable Differences, her plays have toured nationally to audiences from 2-2000 people. Her play co written with Craig Alexander And Then There Were 3 was created as part of the Hive program and premiered at The Street Theatre in 2013 to critical acclaim.
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Shelly is currently working on a middle grade manuscript that seems to be a hybrid of narrative driven fiction, kids self help and a whole bunch of fascinating facts - utilising her recently completed Graduate Diploma in Psychology from Monash University.
Poppy's Monster
Shelly's first picture book, Poppy's Monster is set to be released on February 5 2025 through Starfishbay Publishing.
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Poppy knows what it’s like to feel scared. The only problem is that she doesn’t know what it is that she’s afraid of. She has a monster that takes up all the space in her head and crams the good thoughts out. When he’s around, her legs start to wobble, the noise turns up and her heart beats fast. The only thing that makes him go away is holding hands. But Poppy can't hold hands forever. A story about resilience, strength and the power of imagination.
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If Only
Getting a new sibling is hard enough. Having her stick around is even harder. Whenever he gets the chance, Paddy likes to think up creative ways he might get rid of his problem; his baby sister, Daisy. Daisy is hard work. She’s noisy. She’s messy. And she makes Mummy so tired. Maybe he could post her to Grandma? Stick her on the bus? Launch her into space? But what happens when Paddy stops pretending for a moment and actually sees Daisy for who she is?
Currently seeking publishing.
Anxiety is a Cupcake
​and he lives in my brain
Currently in development.
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I know main characters aren't usually meant to hijack the blurb, but in this case I think it's warranted, because it's my brain that's on display in these pages and that should give me some special privileges.
The best thing about having an imaginary monster is I can do whatever I like to him and it doesn’t matter. I can literally blow up his head and no one can stop me. I can kick him in the backside and pop him like a balloon and there are zero consequences. I mean I could even make him dress up in a giant hamster costume and walk down the street quacking like a duck. Well, you get the point.
Don’t worry I’m not a psychopath. It’s just funny. Like having your own private cartoon. Everyone knows cartoons can’t get hurt.
I know there isn’t really a monster in my head. He’s just the imaginary manifestation of my amygdala.
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He didn’t want me to write this book - a mix of science, self development and what it’s like to be an 11 year old. But I promised him some dinosaurs and subterfuge so we’ve finally come to an arrangement.
It’s a bit hard to explain what you will find within these pages. But if you sometimes get scared, don’t want to feel so alone and like knowing REALLY interesting facts about why our brain does stuff- then keep reading. Oh and I should probably mention for the adults browsing this blurb - there's a whole heap of great tools to help with anxiety. You’re welcome.
The Amygdala is a small almond shaped part of your brain, that regulates your emotions. It is responsible for warning of danger.