Watched - Super-powers the key to writing!
Tihema Baker’s super-powers stole the stage at the launch of his debut novel - Watched - at Te Papa in Wellington last evening.
Born in Sydney and raised in Otaki, Tihema (of Ngāti Toa descent) expressed his gratitude for all those who had helped
him on his six year journey to publication.
‘I have been overwhelmed by the support of everyone involved and I am humbled that so many of my friends and whānau are
here to share this night with me,’ Tihema said.
‘Leading up to the launch I was both nervous and excited, but it has been all I had imagined.’
Standing proudly in his korowai with an intimate group of family and friends in attendance, the launch was appropriately
held at the Ngāti Toa exhibition currently showing at Te Papa.
The story ofWatched, a young adult sci-fi novel, first came to Tihema when he was still at school.
‘I’ve always been a big fan of superheroes, science fiction, and fantasy. I was fifteen when the first characters of Watched came to me. I was sitting in my Year 11 Graphics class where I was supposed to be designing a bach, but that didn’t
really interest me. So instead, I drew a boy whose hand was on fire, and next to him another boy made of diamond.
Finally, I drew a third whose power couldn’t be known just by looking at him. I decided to give him the ability to
control gravity and I named him Jason. From there, the story of Watched just evolved around him.’
A participant in the Te Papa Tupu Māori Writer’s Programme in 2012, Tihema acknowledged the support of his mentor
Phillip Mann – a renowned expert in the field of sci-fi writing – and admitted how tough writing can be! But from
conception through constructive criticism to completion, Tihema demonstrated that perseverance and determination are
super-powers that all writers need; which stands him in good stead for writing his next book.
‘I’ve already started writing the sequel to Watched and can’t wait to be able to devote more time to writing and developing it.’
With the line for book signings spilling around the corner of the exhibition and the book-sales table standing bare at
the end of the evening, Tihema may find his super-powers in demand again very soon.
ENDS