Instagram user @literaturelylost is running Aussie Author Month this April with daily shoutouts to some amazing authors. Read my short interview for this event And follow @literaturelylost for more Aussie authors.
Did you always have a desire to be an author, or did it occur spontaneously?
I started writing short stories for my class newsletter in primary school and I’ve been doing it ever since.
Could you please explain your process of writing? Do you follow any particular rituals or routines?
Every novel I write differs in process. Sometimes I plot everything, sometimes not. Sometimes I write in Word or Scrivener, sometimes by hand. But the one element that persists is regularity. I always do some work on my WIP every weekday morning, even if it’s just thinking about it for half an hour. That keeps the story alive and ticking along in my sub-conscious for the rest of the day.
Could you please describe what inspires you the most when it comes to your writing?
I love inventing stories and being surprised when plots or characters lead me in unthought of directions that end up making a lot more sense than whatever I expected was going to happen at that point. I also love the way my subconscious will throw up questions or solutions when I’m not thinking about my WIP.
Do you write standalone novels or are they part of series?
I write both. My first novel, Horizon, was a standalone space exploration thriller. Then came the Lenticular series trilogy of space opera novels, and my current work-in-progress is another standalone about the end of the universe called The End-Times of Markusz Zielinski.
What are your favourite genres to read? Are they the same as what you write?
I’ve read Science Fiction all my life, but I also read some Fantasy as well as Crime and Thrillers.
What excites you most about your book? What makes you excited?
The Lenticular Series is first and foremost an adventure story with a load of different alien characters, space battles, espionage and excitement. But it also has something to say about outsiders and how they can act as agents of social change, as well as exploring the cycle of intolerance and hatred humanity seems to be trapped in, so much so that they take it with them to the stars.
What do you hope your readers will take away from your book?
I hope when a reader finishes the Lenticular Series they’ll look back on an enjoyable adventure that sticks the landing. And if they think about how humanity’s history of intolerance is something we need to leave behind forever, that will be an added bonus.
How do you balance writing with other apsects of your life?
I tend to work in short but regular bursts. No more than an hour or two a day. That may mean it takes me longer to write a novel but it also means the novel benefits from me having more time to think about it. And it also means I can look after everything else I need to do.
What intimidated you the most about becoming published and having your work out in the world?
Everyone wants their work to be loved instantly. It’s hard putting your stuff out there for the first time, because that’s not going to happen. Having a good support group of friends and – in particular – other authors helped me push through that.
What are your plans for the future? This can be anything, from working on the next work to taking a break or time to hype up any appearances of events you’re involved in.
I’m already on to my next novel, though I did take a break from it for 6 months to concentrate on finalising and marketing my trilogy. But I’m loving what I’m doing right now, so I’m going to keep at it. I’ll be at the coeur de lion table at Supanova in Sydney this June and working on a couple of other appearance this year.