Interview with Australian Author – Carla Robinson
“Australian Authors” – Tell us a little about yourself? Perhaps something not many people know?
Carla – I LOVE horror and thriller movies, especially ones based on suspense. I find that gore is way overdone, and I don’t find it particularly scary – I find that I’m often more scared in movies when I don’t see everything. Probably the weirdest thing about my love for the horror/thriller genre is that I find them strangely calming – if I can’t sleep for any reason, ‘The Texas Chainsaw Massacre’ is my go-to movie. It’s weird, I know, but there’s something pleasant about realising that no matter how bad your life is, at least you aren’t being cut up by a chainsaw. For me, that’s oddly soothing.
“Australian Authors” – What made you want to become a writer?
Carla – I’ve always wanted to be a writer, for as long as I can remember. I don’t quite remember it – my parents have told me these stories so many times that I can’t tell if it’s based on memories or their recollections – but apparently I threw a fit and yelled at my pre-school teacher because she hadn’t taught me how to read (my parents got sick of reading to me every night, and told me that I needed to learn how to). Once I learnt to read, I just didn’t stop, and I started creating my own stories by cutting up pieces of paper to make into mini booklets and writing in them. I’ve never stopped writing – my ideas have just gotten better.
“Australian Authors” – Now, the big question, are you working on another book?
Carla – Yes! While ‘You Know You Want It’ is completed, and is currently waiting to be published, I’m halfway through ‘Do You See Me?’ as mentioned above. On top of that, I’ve already started planning a third novel that will follow emotional domestic violence – a topic that I find is often dismissed in our society. I’ve discovered that most people dismiss emotional abuse because they aren’t being “hit”, and it’s easier to miss the signs of emotional abuse because you often don’t realise that you are, in fact, being abused. Instead of the typical “woman being beaten to a pulp repeatedly” story, I want to focus on the terrifying reality of emotional abuse.
“Australian Authors” – What genres do you prefer to write in?
Carla – So far, literary genres, as I want my first novels to be statement pieces.
I then hope to start writing a crime fiction series, but that’s still a little while away. I don’t sit at a computer and just type whatever comes into my mind; I build each character, each chapter, so I know exactly what is happening and when. It’s a rather time-consuming process, but I like it. I like to think it makes me a better writer (whether that’s true or not is another story!).
“Australian Authors” – What do you think about the ebook revolution?
Carla – As long as people are reading, I don’t mind, and I definitely see the benefits of Kindle and ebooks. However, I’m a paperback type of person, and there’s nothing I love more than buying an actual book and touching the actual pages. I also love the way books smell. That being said, I’m pretty dependent on my Kindle.
“Australian Authors” – Do you start a book with a definite plot, or do you just write?
Carla – I start my book with a definite plot. Sometimes it changes, sometimes characters are removed/added/deleted/changed, sometimes chapters are moved forwards or backwards, but I always know what’s going to happen. I also always carry a small notepad and pen for whenever ideas pop into my head.
“Australian Authors” – Do your characters seem to hijack the story, or are you always in control?
Carla – I’m always in control. I have whole histories planned for my characters – even if it isn’t present in the story, I’ll know something about my character.
“Australian Authors” – Are your characters based on real people or completely imagined?
Carla – Both. My literary stories are based on personal life experiences (at least, in part), with a heavy dose of fiction. No one character is anyone I’ve ever known, or met, and no character is “me”. Each character I invent, however, is based on something I’ve experienced.
“Australian Authors” – Who are your favourite authors?
Carla – Liane Moriarty, Tess Gerritsen, Agatha Christie, Clare Mackintosh, Lisa Gardner, Mary Kubica, JK Rowling, Margaret Atwood, and Clementine Ford.
“Australian Authors” – What’s your advice to Authors? On writing? Publishing? Marketing?
Carla – If you want to be a writer, start writing. Write anyway you know how. Create a blog. Find what interests you. Work out what your niche is. And then do everything you can to make it happen.
