What is your greatest strength as a writer?
I have a real knack for cinematic writing. I'd probably beat you in a "show-off". ;-)
What are your goals as a writer?
To have my books linger in the minds of readers long after they've turned the last page. With regards to my non-fiction, to help aspiring writers realize that writing doesn't have to be as overwhelming as it seems. Learn the craft in bite-sized pieces, and eventually everything will come together.
What books have most influenced your life?
Housekeeping, by Marilynne Robinson
Cold Blood, by Truman Capote
The Robber Bride, by Margaret Atwood
The Handmaid's Tale, by Margaret Atwood
The Boy in The Striped Pajamas, by John Boyne
The Private Lives of Pippa Lee, by Rebecca Miller
The Stone Gods, by Jeanette Winterson
Just Kids, by Patti Smith
Short Cuts, by Raymond Carver
Bird by Bird, by Anne Lamott
The Book of Laughter and Forgetting, by Milan Kundera
All poetry by the following poets: Gwen Harwood, Sharon Olds, Anne Sexton, Sylvia Plath
Have you ever considered anyone as a mentor?
Oh gosh, if I could ever be mentored by Margaret Atwood, I think my life would be complete!
Who is your favorite author and why?
That's impossible to answer. But I can list my favorite authors. I love these authors because even though some of their work might be considered commercial successes, they are not just entertainers. They truly have something to say:
Marilynne Robinson, Margaret Atwood, Truman Capote, John Boyne, Rebecca Miller, Jeanette Winterson, Patti Smith, Raymond Carver, Anne Lamott, Milan Kundera, Gwen Harwood, Sharon Olds, Anne Sexton, Sylvia Plath
Can we expect any more books from you in the future?
Absolutely. I will never stop writing, so I can't see why I would stop releasing books.
Absolutely. I will never stop writing, so I can't see why I would stop releasing books.
What are some of the best tools available today for writers, especially those just starting out?
Definitely blogging, and all sorts of social media. Some excellent community websites to look into are:
What contributes to making a writer successful?
Persistence and stamina all the way.
Do you have any advice for writers?
Learn the rules and then break them intelligently.
What are you working on now?
Right now I'm working on my 4th novel! Working title: White Lady. It's set in Melbourne, Australia, and is about a young woman named Mia who is fighting fat with white ladies. (Yep, I'll leave that to your own interpretation for now! Hint: don't think literally.)
What is your favorite quote, by whom, and why?
“It was the kind of loneliness that made clocks seem slow and loud and made voices sound like voices across water.” From Housekeeping by Marilynne Robinson
Can you hear the loud, slow clock ticking? Its echo crossing a flat lake trying to reach the disappearing voices of loved ones you wished existed? The still and stifling warm air at dusk? Your heartbeat in your ears? The emptiness in your chest? The melancholia you can’t seem to place? An amazing comparison to loneliness, don’t you think? The clocks, the voices, the loudness of heartache. *sigh* ...
What are you most proud of accomplishing so far in your life?
The fact that, despite the full-time job, I can still find time to write books. So many people get into a rut, thinking they can't manage it, that there's no time. But it's not true. If you really want something, you find the time.
What is your favorite color?
Green
What is your favorite food?
Beetroot and yoghurt salad.
What’s your favorite place in the entire world?
What do you do to unwind and relax?
You'll always catch me reading when I go to bed. But I'm also a sucker for a great TV series. My favorites are Homeland, Grey's Anatomy, Dexter and Fringe.
When you wish to end your career, stop writing, and look back on your life, what thoughts would you like to have?
That I don't regret one minute of it.
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Genre - Non-Fiction / Writing Skills Reference
Rating – PG
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