G’day!
I am very excited to announce this weeks Awesome Aussie Author, Katherine Scholes. Katherine is another fabulous Penguin author whom is gifted at writing from the heart, her romance novels leaving you wanting more and hanging out for her next one. She lives an amazing life, visiting countries all over the world for her research. Slightly jealous! And the view from her desk makes me want to move in with her.
Welcome, Katherine. I’m thrilled to have you here today.
Where were you born, raised, schooled and what was the most mischievous thing you did when you were a child?
I was born in Tanganyika (now Tanzania) in East Africa and began school there. Later on the family moved to Tasmania. Any mischief I got up to as a child, I blame on my brother. One of his ideas was to make ‘darters’ from corncobs with feathers stuck in the end. We were caught throwing them at our teacher’s chickens. Luckily no-one was hurt…
How long did it take you to get published and how did you feel when you were told you had a contract?
I was very fortunate because the first manuscript I wrote (a children’s book) was published by Penguin Australia. I was amazed when it was optioned – but I did have to do a big rewrite (including changing the tense and the whole style of the writing) before I got a publishing contract.
What time of the day/night do you prefer to write and where do you like to write?
I don’t get up early, and only work late at night to meet deadlines. I like to write for about five hours in the first part of the day (if doing new work). When I’m editing or researching I can last longer! I have a little office upstairs in our house, which has a view over the beach outside. My staffy-whippet cross Darcy sits with me, and lets me know when it’s time for a walk.
Can you tell us a little bit about your upcoming book? And what date it will be released?
My new novel – which doesn’t have a title yet - will come out in Australia sometime in 2013. The story takes place in a remote corner of Tanganyika where – just after WWII - the British decided to grow groundnuts on a grand scale to provide oil for the housewives of Europe. A whole town was built in great haste, and then just as promptly abandoned when the scheme failed after just a few years. I visited the ruins of ‘Londoni’ last year when I was doing the research. The true story of the place forms a great backdrop to the experiences of a young Australian called Kitty, the wife of the senior manager.
Where do you find inspiration for your stories?
Nearly always, I work with some content or theme connected to my life or that of my family, taken from the past or present. Linked with this will be a location. I begin by collecting all the information I can about that place, building up a palette of material. It takes some time, but gradually links between bits and pieces of information begin to form. I wait to see what human dilemmas or big themes of life arise naturally from what I’ve found out. Somewhere in the midst of this, the story grows and the characters emerge. I keep my focus on my main character as I nearly always write from just one point of view.
What is your favourite meal?
Anything shared at a long noisy table with my extended family and friends.
Who is your favourite Australian?
Bob Brown.
What is your favourite Aussie saying?
I’ve always liked ‘mad as a cut snake’. It really brings an image to mind…
Where would be your ideal place to holiday?
Right now, I’m envying my son who’s just been in India. If I went there for a holiday I’d avoid the big cities, and probably head to the south.
Thanks for popping by for a chat, Katherine. It was lovely having you.
If you’d like to find out more about the lovely Katherine Scholes and her books you can drop over to her website...
Well folks, that was the last of my Awesome Aussie Author series. I hope you’ve enjoyed the journey as much as I have over the past 7 months with each and every author having such unique writing styles and stories. Fascinating stuff!
Only 9 more sleeps and Jacaranda is officially released. For those that can't wait for the official release date I will be posting the first chapter up on my website this week...so stay tuned!! :)
Thought for this week
“Live, laugh, love!”
Until next week keep smiling and dreaming
Mandy :)
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