Inspired by Jemma Birrell’s article in The Age, here are the top 5 books that have changed me (in no particular order).
1. Oh, the Places You’ll Go – Dr Seuss
I never read Dr Seuss as a child and only picked up the first when my daughter was nearly 2 years old. It was Oh, the Places You’ll Go and I was hooked. The last book published while Dr Seuss was alive and his final work not only introduced me to the amazing world of Horton,The Lorax and many others, but inspired me as much as any self-help book or motivational speech I’ve read.
2. The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas – John Boyne
I’ve almost always chosen books on a superficial basis. On the cover, the blurb and perhaps a little prior knowledge of the author. But The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas was different. The blurb gave away nothing of the plot, the characters or what was in store when I opened the pages and began reading. It is one of only a handful of books I have read cover to cover in a single sitting, and it has stayed with me ever since. The way Boyne takes the reader on this journey is the finest execution of ‘show, don’t tell’ that I’ve ever read.
3. The Wishing Chair Series – Enid Blyton
When I was in primary school, I fell in love with The Wishing Chair series, for one very simple reason. My third grade teacher told us of Mollie and Peter’s adventures from a magical wishing chair. From the base of an old wooden rocking chair, he’d attached wings, just like the ones we read about. That simple addition allowed my classmates and I to become Mollie and Peter and showed me that I too could be part of a magical adventure. It brought the words on the page to life in a way I had never seen before (admittedly, I was 6 years old!).
4. Life of Pi – Yann Martel
A few years ago I picked up a copy of Life of Pi and started reading. I was uninspired to keep reading and so it, like many other books, gathered dust on the shelf having not revealed its secrets. Then, for some reason early last year, I revisited it – and loved it. I read it in a week and couldn’t wait to get back to it each day. I don’t know what it is that engaged me the second time around that wasn’t present when I first read it, but it did teach me that books come into our lives at certain times for certain reasons and just because we’re not ready for the message when we first pick it up, doesn’t mean we never will be.
5. Title to be confirmed – Rebecca Copley
Self indulgent I know, but the idea of one day penning my own story drives me to write, read and some days, get out of bed. The idea of being a published author, with my book gracing bookshelves (timber and electronic) gives me goosebumps. It’s why I write and it’s why I read.
So what’s on your list? What books have changed you?
So tell me, are you e-book reader or a fan of the old-school hardcopy?
If you’d asked me six months ago whether I’d prefer to read a hardcopy book or the electronic version, I’d have said without hesitation the hardcopy. I love the look, feel and smell of a book. The craftsmanship of its form, the delight in the way it felt in my hands and the satisfaction of closing it for the last time having made my way through the end of someone’s story. I thought reading a book on a screen was not the domain of die hard readers. But that’s all changed.
What’s changed you ask? Well, I used one. I read a book on an e-reader (my new iPad to be precise) and I am now a changed woman. So what is it I love about this not-so-new medium, let me count the ways,
- Try before you buy
I’ve lost count of the number of books that are now sitting in dusty boxed in storage having never made it past the first chapter. Sure, the blurb sounded interesting, the cover was appealing and everyone raved about it, but by the end of the first chapter I wasn’t hooked. I could put it down, and did. Now, I can download a sample and try before I buy. For indecisive, moody readers like me, it’s more than I could ask for.
- No more scribbles in the margin
In my university days, I became far more critical of texts. This has in some ways been a curse, but this critical reading often leads me to want to make notes about sections of writing that intrigue me in some way. Now, instead of defacing my books (something I’m loathed to do) I can make a discrete note (that I can search for) and continue reading.
- What the?
I have never sat with a dictionary when I’ve read. I’ve never paused to check the meaning of a word I haven’t come across before and I’ve certainly never questioned the authors use of that word in that context. But now, with a simple click, I can see the meaning and not only expand my vocabulary, but gain a greater appreciation of the author’s intent.
- But I want it NOW!
I’m not a patient woman – never have been. So if I see a book I want to read in the newspaper, on the TV I don’t want to have to wait. I can’t wait for a spare hour to pop into Dymocks and grab it, and I certainly don’t want to order it from Amazon and wait a week for it to arrive in the postbox – I want it NOW. And finally my lack of patience has been rewarded. How this newfound ability to have books on demand with impact on other aspects of my life is yet to be seen.
I will still always love the look, feel and smell of a real book, but now I will admire them for the works of art they are and enjoy their content in a new and technologically enhanced way. And after all, anything that inspires reading is a good thing – right?
Contrary to what most of us believe, creativity is not some divine gift that comes to us like a flash of light at 2am. It takes a lot of effort on our behalf and perhaps, if we are lucky, the occasional flash will bring the hard work together. Creativity must be learnt, fostered and encouraged. Here are my top tips to becoming more creative in just seven days.
- Change your scenery
No matter how much creative inspiration you place around your workspace, there’s nothing like a change of scenery to get those creative juices flowing. By taking yourself out of your regular workspace you open your senses to a range of new stimuli that are bound to spark some creative inspiration. So try . . .
* a funky coffee shop
* the beach
* the art gallery
* the botanic gardens
* anywhere in the sun (increasingly difficult at this time of the year)
- Add a little music
Music creates moods. If you want to create a romantic atmosphere, you pop a little Barry White on the iPod. If you want to fire up before a run, perhaps you try something up-beat, and if you want to explore your creativity, you might like to try some Mozart!Research has indicated that certain kinds of classical music, like Mozart, are great for increasing creativity and concentration. Regardless of the findings though, listening to music is great for the soul and that can only be good news for tapping into your well of creativity.
- Write
Open the dictionary to a random page, take the first word you see, and start writing. Give yourself 5 minutes and just write. Don’t stop – just keep going. You’ll often end up so far from where you started you won’t be sure how you got there. Do this for 5 minutes every day and by the end of a week, you’ll wonder why you didn’t start this sooner!
- Collaborate
As the old saying goes ‘Two heads are better than one’. Start a project or endeavour with a colleague, friend or family member. Sit down and brainstorm ideas together and before you know it, you’ll be bouncing ideas off of each other and changing the world!
- Colour-in
That’s right, colouring-in is not just for the kids. Pick up the pencils and get busy! Colouring-in taps into vast quantities of creative energy that may have been hidden since our youth. There are loads of free colouring-in pages online, but just remember, it’s more important to have fun with it than to create a masterpiece. Afterall, there’s no colouring in version of the Archibald prize!
- Get cooking
Whipping up a storm in the kitchen, preferably something new will not only get the tastebuds watering, but the creative juices flowing. Try making something from scratch and experiment with new flavours and cuisines. And make sure that you take time to savour your efforts with good company.
- Finally, practice. Being creative isn’t magic, nor is it a gift some people are born with. It’s something that must be nurtured and embraced. So no mater how creative you think you are (or are not) dedicating time to develop your own creative self will not only benefit your work, but your sense of well-being and overall happiness.
So the blog is back! It’s been an embarrassingly long time between posts, especially considering my last post was about balancing creative time with the drudgery of day-to-day work – clearly something I’ve been struggling with.
Never-mind, we’re here to look forward and not behind.
The blog (and I) now have a new-found sense of purpose and determination. I’m dedicating time for new posts and am investing time (& perhaps a little coin) into building something better for myself professionally.
I’ve got some exciting ideas rattling around in my head and loads of prospects to pursue. I just have to silence my inner critic for long enough to act on them.
Stay tuned!
How would you describe your work to someone new to it?
I’m the author of 86 children’s books. My latest novel is Maya and the Crystal Skull, an action adventure for children aged 9 years and over, based on the legend of the crystal skulls. People often ask which of my titles is my favourite. I would have said Black Baron, a novel about a champion racing cockroach named Black Baron. Though I still love Black Baron – he is a strikingly attractive guy – I’m writing a series of books based around Maya and the Crystal Skull so this series has become my number one. I’m so sorry, Black Baron. I feel bad now. (See how authors can become attached to their characters! Like parents, we try to love our children equally.)
What is your writing process? Do you follow a regular routine?
Yes, I most definitely follow a regular routine. When I’m writing, I’m a creature of habit and don’t like my routine interrupted. This is my routine 7 days a week. I have a cup of tea with my husband Rob Parnell. I meditate for approximately half an hour. I write from 9.30 am to 1 or 2 pm. On the weekends, I’ll stop at this point and spend time with Rob. During the week, I’ll have a break and then work on student’s homework or manuscripts I’m paid to edit. For the next hour or so, I work on online promotion of my books, name, videos etc. I usually spend the last hour of the day answering emails.
What is the biggest obstacle you’ve had to overcome as a writer?
Getting books published in a highly competitive industry. I know this answer might surprise you, seeing as I’m the author of 86 published titles. I’ve been working as a full time writer for the past 7 years and I’ve written a lot more books than I’ve had published. Waiting time for responses from publishers vary from one month to twelve months. I can write a dozen books in twelve months, while I wait to hear about one. Once a book is accepted for publication, I may have to wait for one to two years before the book is released. I can write a lot of books in this next one to two years. I guess I need to get a life! LOL
What was one of the most surprising things you have learnt from writing?
Patience. Boy, have I had to learn patience! As I said above, publishers can take anywhere from one month to twelve months to respond to a manuscript submission. Sometimes a publisher will never respond. That’s a lot of waiting. Many publishers have their publications scheduled two years in advance. If you’re lucky enough to get a book accepted for publication, you’re unlikely to see a printed copy for at least twelve, possibly twenty, months. I could go on, as there are many aspects of being a writer that require patience, but I’m not sure I have the patience to continue with this answer. LOL
What was the book that most influenced your life — and why?
The Magic of Thinking Big by Dr. David Schwartz. This was the first self-help book I ever read. Basically, the book shows us how to create big goals and think positively to achieve them. I loved it. I read many, many self-help books after The Magic of Thinking Big and learned how to be a goal-achieving, positive person with a happy, successful life.
What are you reading now?
Me and Her: A Memoir of Madness by Karen Tyrrell. I recently won a Kindle e-book of Me and Her: A Memoir of Madness by Karen Tyrrell. I’m thoroughly enjoying this very real story about Karen Tyrrell’s experience with mental illness. I’m looking forward to reading more.
E-book v paper book? Why?
I love paper books. They are so convenient. You can take them anywhere. Okay, the same can be said about e-books, but… I use my computer all day every day (well, almost). When it’s time to read, I don’t want my computer or another computer-like gadget. I want something very different to symbolise relaxation and escapism. Besides, I’m not reading an electronic gadget in the bath! Yikes!
What is your favourite writing quote?
The beautiful part of writing is that you don’t have to get it right the first time, unlike, say, a brain surgeon. You can always do it better, find the exact word, the apt phrase, the leaping simile. Robert Cormier
What is the best writing advice you have received?
Show, don’t tell! When a writer “shows” a story from the main character’s point of view, the story is hard to put down. Readers experience the story, as if they are the main character, as if the story is happening to them. We see, hear, think and feel everything the main character does. Everything is “shown” to us so we can see, hear, think and feel everything. “Telling”, on the other hand, does not engage the imagination. We’re told something – a statement of fact – a foregone conclusion. We can’t see, hear, feel or think about the words. The writer has made the decision for us. There is no interpretation. No participation for readers. We’re kept outside the story, at a distance. “Show, don’t tell” is so important, I wrote a 107 page “Show, Don’t Tell Study Pack” which can be found here.
What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
I love to read children’s books, self-help, spiritual and all sorts of other books. I’m a spiritual person, so I enjoy meditation and being in nature. I like divination tools such as the tarot. Basically, I’m fascinated by metaphysics. I enjoy walks along the beach and in nature parks with my husband Rob. I like watching good TV shows and movies. My favourite TV show is Leverage. I love catching up with friends, even though I spend most of my time with fictional characters.
Robyn lives in Adelaide, South Australia, with her writer husband Rob Parnell, her dog Spock and thousands of children’s books. She works full time writing for children.
Robyn wrote her first children’s book while at high school. It was a mystery similar to the Nancy Drew series. When Robyn was a child, she wished she could be Nancy Drew because the teenage sleuth was always involved in an exciting adventure.
Robyn has always loved writing and reading. She writes children’s books for pleasure. Her other interests include watching Aussie Rules Football. She also enjoys listening to music, playing pool, watching movies, seeing friends, swimming and exercising.
For other interviews and information about Robyn head to any of the following sites,
http://www.youtube.com/user/robparnell2008/videos
http://www.robynopie.com
http://www.rnrbooksfilmmusic.com.au/maya.html
http://www.amazon.com/Maya-Crystal-Skull-ebook/dp/B0069WE3GK
Image - 10rooms.blogspot.com.au
I’ve always been very black and white. I’ve never been the kind of person who can enjoy the ‘occasional’ drink,cigarette or piece of chocolate. I’m either in, or I’m out, I’m drunk or I’m sober, eating well or eating what I like. That was until I entered the ‘working mother with creative ambition and a mind-numbingly non-creative job’ phase of my life. A phase that has meant that things have needed to get a little grey (& no, not the 50 shades kind).
In order to stay sane, I’m learning to find the grey that lies between the blackness of my nine-to-five job that pays the bills and puts food on the table, and the white light of my creative passion. In the interests of full disclosure, it’s important to add that my current shade of grey is far darker than I’d like it to be. I am working on it, and I am discovering the beauty that can exist within the grey. Here’s how…
I Write – I’m writing this. this is creative, so following that logic, I’m balancing up the white as we speak. But, I’m doing this now, in the middle of the afternoon, because I’ve got the day off of work. That’s hardly in keeping with the spirit of ‘balance’ is it. But to be fair, I try to write something (good, bad or indifferent) at least on the weekends, and at night if time/energy permits. I should do more but hey, I do what I can. I notice the difference when I do, and I’m pretty sure those live and work with do too!
I take photos – I’m a HUGE fan of Fatmumslim’s #photoaday challenge. If you haven’t heard of it, Chantelle runs an amazing blog, and sets monthly photo challenges for sharing on social media sites like Twitter, Facebook and on Instagram. Her prompts, like ‘something beautiful’, ‘grass’, and ‘what you’re reading’ give you the perfect excuse to add a little creativity to every day. I’ve taken photos on the walk to work, in bed at night and while cooking dinner. It’s an achievable way of finding time to be creative every day.
I sing – Anyone who sees me walking to work in the mornings will see one of two things. I either look I like I would rather step out into moving traffic than reach my destination, or I’m singing – out loud! I can’ walk to work without music.It’s simply far to early in the day to be alone with my thoughts. The casual walk takes about 20 minutes and depending on which side of the bed I crawled out of, my tunes of choice might range from ‘Rage Against the Machine’ to ‘Sarah Blasko’ and anything in-between. But either way, where possible (I’m not into total humiliation) I’ll belt out a tune in full voice, sending my creative energy out into the world, thus preventing a thermo-nuclear style creative meltdown. My walk is through a park and along paths rarely frequented by other pedestrians at that time of the day, so if you catch crowded public transport and walk through the center of the city on your way to work perhaps find another time/place to belt one out.
I fake it – My job is anything but creative. It allows for virtually zero creative input and is all-in-all pretty dull. (Insert quick shout-out to my amazing colleagues whom I love and make showing up each day worthwhile). So how do I add a little creativity? I fake it. I make sure the emails I send are carefully crafted, I surround myself with the creative tools I would like to have on my desk if I was working in a creative field (including my Holstee manifesto, images that inspire etc) and I live in silent denial between the hours of 9 to 5 that I’m not in my dream job.
Finally, I don’t give up. Some weeks are black. Some days I just can’t keep all of the balls in the air without dropping a couple of white ones. But that’s ok. As Dr Seuss said ‘Today was good. Today was fun. Tomorrow is another one.’
So if you’re like me, and you’re trying to balance out the black & white in your life, don’t over-think it. Don’t analyse it and don’t beat yourself up over it. Just do what you can, when you can and the rest will come. After-all, creativity shouldn’t be a chore.
How would you describe your work to someone new to it?
I write many genres for ages 5-15 years.
What is your writing process? Do you follow a regular routine?
Panic, always. Cups of tea, sometimes. And I do have a small office and start work each morning as though I worked outside my home (which I do, in my head). But I can’t sit for long hours, so I get up each hour and do a little chore or ride a kilometre on my exercise bike.
What is the biggest obstacle you’ve had to overcome as a writer?
My own doubts, dealing with some (but not all) editors.
What was one of the most surprising things you have learnt from writing?
That my imagination is endless. That I can transport readers from the mundane to the fabulous with my words and ideas.
What was the book that most influenced your life — and why?
‘Rebecca’ by Daphne DuMaurier. It has a nice creepy atmosphere. It builds suspense. You are not sure what is going on. The end packs a couple of big surprises. And it wasn’t until years later that I realised the book never tells you the name of the main character. If you tell a good story and write well enough, you can break the rules.
What are you reading now?
My husband David Harris’ manuscript for a speculative fiction novel. We read and evaluate each other’s work before others see it.
E-book v paper book? Why?
Both. Each has a place. My eyes get tired reading on screen, but I love the convenience of instant download and the cheaper pricing. But there will always be a place for paper copies too. I love my library. I can share it more easily. E-book readers save paper, but they use electricity – so it seems pretty much the same environmentally, to me.
What is your favourite writing quote?
‘There are three rules for successful novel writing,’ said Somerset Maugham. ‘Unfortunately no one knows what they are.’
What is the best writing advice you have received?
‘Tell your story in your own words, in your own particular way.’
What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
Playing with little grandchildren (it is an excuse to be a kid again), knitting, walking, watching movies, talking with my husband David about all manner of ideas, watching the night sky, gardening.
Christine written over 50 books, in all genres, for young readers. She is published in Australia, New Zealand, France, UK, Italy, Russia, Canada, USA, Thailand, Japan and Brazil.
Her books have won or been shortlisted for various awards, including Children’s Book Council Book of the Year, Aurealis, Australian children’s choices, Carclew Fellowship, Children’s Peace Literature, South Australian Writers’ Festival and Western Australian Premier’s Awards for Literature. Audrey of the Outback won a 2009 White Ravens Award from the International Children’s Library, Munich.
For more information about Christine, visit her website.
How would you describe your work to someone new to it?
I’d describe my work as fantasy that is influenced heavily by ‘real world’ mythologies. I enjoy playing various seemingly incongruous aspects of real world legends off one another, or drawing connections between disparate cultures, that sort of thing. A lot of my work seems to involve a mash up of different mythological elements. I’m heavily influenced by Japanese culture, particularly video games and cartoons / comics (anime / manga). I love the personal journeys inherent in grand adventures, and I try to incorporate them into my work.
What is your writing process? Do you follow a regular routine?
I’ve had many different routines over the years. It really depends on my circumstances at the time, though once I get into a groove I tend to stay in it for a while. In general, I get far more work done in the mornings than in the evenings. Unfortunately, I now have a full time day job, so I have to write in the evenings! I revise heavily while I write, so by the time I complete a ‘first draft’ of a work, I’ve actually rewritten it at least half a dozen times (sometimes as many as a dozen). I also tend to stop before the climax and do a complete re-write up until that point, so I know it’s ‘ready’ and all the loose ends are going to be tied up nicely. I plan heavily before I write, but I focus on character development rather than plot, because I think that should be what shapes a narrative.
What is the biggest obstacle you’ve had to overcome as a writer?
I’m not sure I’d call them ‘obstacles’. I mean, I’ve obviously faced all the usual suspects – finishing a manuscript, getting noticed, getting published, etc. – but as far as obstacles go, the biggest one has probably been developing my own craft. I’ve devoted a substantial amount of time and energy to learning how to write (over a decade now), and I’ve still got so much to learn. I’m afraid it’s one of those ‘the more you know, the more you know what you don’t know’ sort of things. It’s an obstacle I face every time I sit down to write, and I don’t expect to ever overcome it. If I did, I’d probably stop.
What was one of the most surprising things you have learnt from writing?
That I can actually do it! It still surprises me that I can tell stories people want to hear in a way that they can enjoy. I spent so much time just trying to get there, to learn the craft, and then obviously to get published, that it’s still unreal to me that it really happened. I think a part of me will always believe that it’s all been some sort of mistake, or a horrible practical joke.
What was the book that most influenced your life — and why?
I write fantasy, so I have to say The Lord of the Rings. That might sound like a cliche, and it is, but it’s also the truth. I think every fantasy writer needs to credit TLofR for their craft. There’s no escaping it. Not only is it such a great book, but it really is the progenitor of the genre as we know it. Not only that, but Tolkien’s views on the fantasy genre – what it should look like, what it should feel like, the ‘rules’ that govern it – have really influenced me on a theoretical level. In short, Tolkien taught me the single most valuable lesson about writing fantasy: it has to be real.
What are you reading now?
This moment I’m reading Kate Forsyth’s Bitter Greens. It’s a marvellous historical fiction that weaves into and around the Rapunzel fairy tale. It’s simply brilliant.
E-book v paper book? Why?
Paper book – all the way. I’m a bibliophile. I don’t just love reading, I love books. I love the physical object. I love stuffing my bookshelves, and turning pages, and smelling that glorious blend of old paper, ink, and glue. I’ve tried to read e-books. I’ve tried to love them, but I can’t. I should point out that it has nothing to do with the technology. I love e-comic books, and I think digital copies of video games are awesome, but when it comes to reading novels, I need the paper book. I wish I did love e-books, because I can see all of the wonderful benefits of them, but if I have a choice, I’ll always buy the paper copy (or both!).
What is your favourite writing quote?
Oh, so many! I adore quotes. I’m not sure if it counts as a literary quote, but my favourite of all time is, “The greatest danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that it is too low and we reach it”. This quote informs so much of what I do, from my teaching philosophy to the way I approach my own writing practice.
What is the best writing advice you have received?
“You’ve written a book? That’s great! Now, throw it out and write another one.” – Harsh advice, but it was perfect. If anyone ever asks me for advice, I pass this one on (with a caveat that it’s hard to hear but totally worth listening to). Oh, and “Write! Write! Write! Read! Read! Read!”
What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
Mostly I read (novels and comic books), play video games, or watch movies and television. I’m an unabashed geek. I also like taking up hobbies. I rarely follow through with anything, but I love just trying new things out, whether it’s playing a musical instrument, drawing, roller skating, or just about anything, really. About the only ‘hobby’ I’ve stuck with is cooking.
Ben lives mostly in worlds of his own creation but occasionally misses the real world and comes home to Adelaide. He holds a PhD in Creative Writing from Flinders University, where he occasionally teaches Creative Writing and English Literature, and has published academic work on popular culture, video game narrative theory, Japanese heroism, anime & manga, and creative writing pedagogy. In 2010 he was awarded the Colin Thiele Creative Writing Scholarship from Carclew Youth Arts Board and in 2011 was awarded a grant from Arts SA to work on an YA urban fantasy novel set in Adelaide. He has been a finalist in the Channel 9 SA Young Achiever Awards twice.
Ben loves heroes, villains, comic books, and video games, and believes you can learn more from watching cartoons than you can from the news. Like all fantasy writers, Ben has a cat. His cat is named Loki. It’s possible Loki is the reincarnation of the Norse God of Mischief, but Ben hopes this is just a flight of his fancy.
http://www.benchandler.com.au
How would you describe your work to someone new to it?
I have loved words ever since I could talk. A lifetime later, my first self-published book was a children’s upper primary novel and I was surprised that I could write from the point of view of a 12 year old boy (because I’ve never been a boy). More recently I have turned my hand to adult fiction with an historical slant. My novella for adults was sparked by an anecdote at a family reunion. I wrote my fictional story, set in 1845, from the perspective of a whaler’s wife who has lost her husband to the Arctic ice. Generally, my work is eclectic, dependent upon where my ideas originate. I don’t want to confine myself to one genre or one audience, so I keep trying new things. But my first love is crime fiction and I am working on a book within that genre.
What is your writing process? Do you follow a regular routine?
When I’m deep into the writing process I work from early morning to around late afternoon and ‘cook’ the work at night and even in my sleep. I try to get the story down at a white-hot pace, from start to finish, though I occasionally slip around in the storyline if a particular scene beckons. Generally, I try to write every day, though I am not always successful at this, especially if family and other commitments call on me. For a longer work I rough out the plot and always draft biography and back-story for each character. This helps to keep my thinking on track but the characters usually push me in new directions and that’s fine with me. Plot can always be tweaked. The story always has dramatic arcs throughout, with plotlines weaving around one another, something often difficult to achieve well. I am fortunate in having an extremely supportive husband who does his own thing when I am locked away in the study, pounding the keyboard. Writing is a solitary occupation, after all.
What is the biggest obstacle you’ve had to overcome as a writer?
Self-doubt without question. Starting my serious writing so late in life, after dreaming for decades of a writing life, I was unsure of my ability and certainly of my writing voice. I am nothing if not determined and after gaining a University degree as a mature age student, undertook further studies in writing. This helped me to identify my strengths (and weaknesses) and allowed me to push forward in the hope I may become a published writer, something difficult to achieve in my 70s. But I persist, because the urge to write is impossible to ignore. Belief in yourself is critical to success as a writer. Learn to call yourself a writer when people ask what you do, even if you think it may be ‘just dabbling’. Positive self-talk and a strong image of what you want to achieve is central to success.
What was one of the most surprising things you have learnt from writing?
I learned that I could engage people’s interest in my writing and have them asking for more. I discovered how to write succinctly, without rambling as I was wont to do. I acquired the skill of editing after the first draft is down on paper. I became accustomed to reading my own work to others and hearing positive feedback. And I was surprised to win first prize in a well-known writing competition. None of these things were part of me before I began to write seriously in my 60s. I also found joy in leading a writing group and encouraging others to extend their skills and their creativity.
What was the book that most influenced your life — and why?
My writing life has been influenced by particular authors, rather than a single book. As a child I delighted in Enid Blyton and Anne of Green Gables and, later, in Georgette Heyer and Charles Dickens. I also discovered the work of O. Henry, Damon Runyon, Somerset Maugham, Dostoevsky, Tolstoy, G.K. Chesterton, Agatha Christie, James Thurber, Ogden Nash and Georges Simenon. Over the years I have developed a taste for the dark side of human nature in my reading and writing, and I am always keen to read a newly discovered author, but in my own writing I try to balance the light and shade.
What are you reading now?
My habit is to read several books at a time, having several on the table beside me in our lounge room and more waiting on the shelves. The current selection is “Tolstoy: A Russian Life” by Rosamund Bartlett, a well-drawn biography of the great Russian author, “The Drowning” by Camilla Lackberg, a contemporary Scandinavian author of crime novels, and “The Evil Day” by Peter Temple who is a celebrated crime writer living in Australia.
E-book v paper book? Why?
There is nothing like holding a paper book in your hands and immersing yourself in its tale. But e-books have their place and I can see them being highly relevant to study texts, if only academic works were more widely available in this format. I enjoy being able to summon up my bookseller on the iPad and download a new book as the thought occurs to me, rather than firing up my computer, but there the convenience ends. I sincerely hope the paper book maintains its place in our lives, though I recognise it uses a valuable resource and acknowledge that the e-book would save many trees, something I support. Only the future will tell us the answer to this one.
What is your favourite writing quote?
The one am quoting is: “A novel is an impression, not an argument” – attributed to Thomas Hardy. It is important to allow your imagination to flow when writing and not impede it with ‘information dumps’. Learn the skill of editing your work so that every word has a job to do, there is no superfluous padding, and the story flows smoothly. Read your work aloud and you will soon identify what needs fixing. I liken Hardy’s writing advice to the difference between formal art and impressionist art, where formal art is ‘true’ to the subject, and impressionist art describes the subject more by suggestion than by fine detail.
What is the best writing advice you have received?
‘Get something written down. You can go back and improve what you have written, but you can do nothing with a blank page.’ Procrastination is one of the worst ‘sins’ a writer might commit. Only writing every day will exercise your writing muscles and improve your style and fluency. Coming a close second is ‘believe in yourself’. Don’t listen to the critic on your shoulder or people who say you can’t do it. The critic’s turn will come when the first draft is done, and those who say you can’t do it don’t know the power of positive thinking. Never throw away any of your drafts. You never know when you may need them again. Perhaps even faulty beginnings may spark a fresh story some day.
What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
Read, read and read of course. But I am also heavily involved in my local University of the Third Age and lead two associated groups (Creative Writing, and Genealogy for Beginners). My husband and I spend time every week with family and friends and enjoy relaxing with music, as well as regular walking with our rambunctious little dog, a three-year-old Staffy/Kelpie cross that we rescued from the RSPCA. We often feel we are busier and more fulfilled now than we ever were in our working lives. And that is all good.
Glennis Leith fell in love with words at an early age – she even read a dictionary for fun! She wrote her first story when she was in primary school,a play she called ‘Flaming Death’. She sold tickets to the neighbours until her mother found out and made her return the money. Glennis and her sister performed the play for their parents (Glennis played the villain and her sister played several victims). Everything went well until Glennis’ sister declared, ‘I’m sick of being dead’ and stalked off.
Later in life Glennis began writing in earnest. She took an Arts Degree at the University of Adelaide and subsequently gained an Advanced Diploma Arts (Professional Writing) at TAFESA. In February 2011 she completed a Graduate Certificate in Writing through Open Universities Australia.
Glennis has contributed, co-edited and published a family history book, had short fiction and non-fiction published, won an award for a short story, and released her children’s fiction book, ‘Beat It!’ in 2008.
Visit Glennis’ website at http://www.glennisleith.com
How would you describe your work to someone new to it?
I mainly write poetry, though I do play around with short stories, articles and occasionally other forms. With my poetry I am always trying to explore different styles and voices, so it’s hard to pinpoint any overall defining characteristics.
In my most recent book, ‘Sound and Bundy’, I created four characters and wrote poems in their voices. They all had very distinct styles. The first wrote social realist poetry, the second wrote very formal poetry (sonnets, villanelles, etc.), the third wrote slam performance-style poetry and the fourth wrote experimental poetry in the style of Ern Malley.
What is your writing process? Do you follow a regular routine?
My one rule is that each day from Monday to Friday I always do something related to writing. This can mean writing, but it can also mean reading. I read poems by other poets, articles about poetry and writing, books about culture and philosophy, current affairs articles, and sometimes I treat myself to some fiction. Reading gives me ideas for writing and I also learn a lot by reflecting on what I like (and don’t like) about other writers’ styles.
What is the biggest obstacle you’ve had to overcome as a writer?
Two years ago I lost all movement and sensation in my thumbs and forefingers because of RSI from too much typing! I had to see a physio and take a lot of time off writing. It was very frustrating – a bit like the equivalent of when a sportsperson gets injured. Coming back to writing was a slow process and I had to develop new work habits to prevent the injury recurring. It’s really hard to make yourself take a break when you’ve got an idea you’re really excited about and you’re worried you’ll forget it if you don’t write the whole thing straight away in one hit… But I’ve had to learn that those breaks are important if I want to keep working. I still get trouble with the RSI from time to time (usually when deadlines are approaching and I try to push too hard), but I’m more aware of the early warning signs now so I tend to stay on top of things.
What was one of the most surprising things you have learnt from writing?
I do a lot of visits to schools where I run workshops or talk to students about writing. The questions they ask are always challenging yet reinvigorating. They help me to see new possibilities, new reasons to keep writing. (I think I have probably learned a lot more from students than I have taught them!)
What was the book that most influenced your life — and why?
A Penguin Modern Poets collection containing work by Lawrence Ferlinghetti, Allen Ginsberg and Gregory Corso. I read it when I was fourteen and it was the first poetry I ever read and liked. (Before then I thought that poetry had to rhyme and be about flowers.) It made me want to write poetry too.
What are you reading now?
I just finished ‘The Savage Detectives’ by Roberto Bolano, a Chilean writer. It’s a novel about a group of avant-garde poets and it made me laugh out loud at several points.
E-book v paper book? Why?
I bought an e-reader for the first time about six months ago. I bought it because I wanted to download e-books in Dutch (which is much cheaper than having books posted from overseas). I wasn’t sure how much I would like reading on a screen, but I found that it’s really not much different, and I have wound up using it to read stuff in English as well. The big advantage of the e-reader is that it doesn’t take up space and you can easily take hundreds of books with you when you’re travelling. The downside is that it sometimes plays up or runs out of battery when you’ve just gotten to an exciting part of the story. Also you can’t get your copy of the book signed by the writer. At this stage I still opt for paper books more often than e-books.
What is your favourite writing quote?
“Bring me penguin dust, I want penguin dust” – Gregory Corso
What is the best writing advice you have received?
Be thick skinned and just keep going.
What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
I work part-time as a group fitness instructor and I love riding my bike. I also enjoy just relaxing with friends with some nice food and drinks (like most people I suppose!)
Amelia is an Adelaide based poet and spoken word performer. She has published two books and performed at festivals including the Big Day Out (Adelaide 2003), the Queensland Poetry Festival, Overload (VIC), the WA Spring Poetry Festival, This Is Not Art (NSW) and the 2008 World Poetry Festival in Kolkata, India. Amelia also runs workshops in writing and public speaking for schools and community groups and currently holds an Australian Poetry Centre Cafe Poet Residency at Higher Ground (Light Square, Adelaide).
For more information on Amelia’s work & workshops, visit her website at http://www.freewebs.com/ameliawalker/
1. Oh, the Places You’ll Go – Dr Seuss
