MY WRITING PROCESS



Recently I was invited to participate in a blog tour, by my friend and author, Marie Lavender.  I have taken part in one before but only my link was used that time - this time we have questions to answer.  And being about a subject that I am passionate about, it is my pleasure to participate.

I have been writing - well, for my whole life, really.  But only began writing books after my late father passed on - it is a LONG story.  To cut it short - sortof - the book that Dad was writing up until shortly prior to his death is featured to the left:  'The Sawers From Pitcairn'.  I edited it and had it published - and that triggered my passion for writing books.  I then had a second book published, following another very strong advocacy - my fight against bullying.  This book is:  'Bullseye' and is a compilation of some thirty case histories written and submitted by victims of bullying from around Australia.


1      WHAT AM I WORKING ON?

         Currently I am actually working on two books - with a heap of new ideas leaping to mind daily - or more often.  One of my current 'works in progress' is combining two of my passions - my writing (obviously) and the mighty outback of Australia.  I originate from that area (from 'Pitcairn' Station) and while I have lived in the city for most of my life, I will always remain passionate about the outback and its people.  Research involves travelling throughout the outback, from participating station (sheep and cattle) to participating station - by coach.  What an excellent way to see the nation and so off the beaten track.  My second 'work in progress' is actually my first effort at fiction - as recommended by a fellow author and friend, I am documenting in fiction form, my six year bullying nightmare which occurred in my teens.


2     HOW DOES MY WORK DIFFER FROM OTHERS OF THE SAME GENRE?

       This is rather a difficult question to answer, since two of my books are non-fiction and about the outback and the life out there and the other two focus on bullying.  But to answer the best way I can - 'The Sawers From Pitcairn' traces the history of our first ancestors as they moved out to Australia from Scotland, their various employment in the new land, finishing with an in depth look at life on our station.  The book I am currently working on - the book on stations - I feel is different because while the station owners and managers have provided a lot of history of both their properties and their families, as well as the operations of the properties, the book also focusses on the domestic side of life out there.  Aspects such as entertainment, education, shopping, transport, health, infrastructure, power, even sewerage - there is a mammoth amount involved.  'Bullseye' differs in that, as mentioned above, it is a compilation of case histories and not advice etc., which I believe most bullying books are.  And the fourth book, my work of fiction, is simply a detailed look at the bullying nightmare I suffered in my teens.


3     WHY DO I WRITE WHAT I DO?

       Because I am absolutely passionate about my subjects and love all that I write.


4     HOW DOES YOUR WRITING PROCESS WORK?

       Unlike most authors, who I think are a tad more sensible than I am, I do not have a plan as such.  I just get in there and write.  I do suffer from so-called 'writer's block' but usually all that is required to get over this is to go for a walk or just do something completely different.  Then I usually find that a stroke of genius hits when I am out in the middle of nowhere, without a pen and paper handy and even though I recite the idea repeatedly as I rush home - it's well and truly gone by the time I get there.  So, yes, that pen and paper, or whatever authors use, is essential.