Interview with Australian Author – Sara Powter
“Australian Authors” – Tell us a little about yourself? Perhaps something not many people know?
Sara – I have been passionate about learning more of what my own ancestors went through as convicts in the early days of the European settlement in NSW.
“Australian Authors” – What made you want to become a writer?
Sara – My Mother, Sheila Hunter, wrote three Australian colonial novels, and although she never saw them in print, they were, on the whole, complete. I have to finish them off a little, but they have been in print for some years. In amongst her things, I then found a half-written manuscript ( which I have just finished writing). My goal was to see if I could write well enough to finish her work. My stories grew and grew, writing four volumes of the Lockley series in six months!
“Australian Authors” – What gives you inspiration for your book(s)?
Sara – The sad stories I hear about the convicts lives inspire me to learn more about their struggles.
“Australian Authors” – Now, the big question, are you working on another book?
Sara – Yes! of course! Although my Lockley series is probably complete (never say never) I’m working on another colonial novel. possibly called ‘Amelia’
“Australian Authors” – What genres do you prefer to write in?
Sara – Australian Colonial fiction Christian Regency/Victorian Fiction
“Australian Authors” – What do you think about the ebook revolution?
Sara – Fine! Make it easy to sell. But personally, I’m a paperback reader! So I make them available on both platforms.
“Australian Authors” – Do you start a book with a definite plot, or do you just write?
Sara – Ahh! now that would be telling! It’s a bit of both! I normally have a bit of an idea ‘where’ I want the story to go, but often I ‘do’ the cover first! and that includes the ‘splurb’ and this then becomes my ‘mini synopsis’.
“Australian Authors” – Pen or type writer or computer?
Sara – computer! I have a Mac so I just write on it’s ‘pages’ program. From there I can upload to any platform. ( PDF, EPUB etc)
“Australian Authors” – Do your characters seem to hijack the story, or are you always in control?
Sara – LOL yes! sometimes I have to reel them in!
“Australian Authors” – Are your characters based on real people or completely imagined?
Sara – Initially, it was one real person, but it’s a bit like Miss Marple. They each have characteristics that remind me of real people! Not that they are at all way based on them.
“Australian Authors” – Have you thought about joining with another author to write a book?
Sara – I have already done so! by finishing my mother’s (Sheila Hunter) unfinished manuscript. – Watch out for “Dancing to her own tune” by Sheila Hunter & Sara Powter
“Australian Authors” – Who are your favourite authors?
Sara – Catherine Gaskin, Carolyn Miller, Kristy Ann Hunter ( no relation!), and of course Sheila Hunter- my mother!
“Australian Authors” – What’s your advice to Authors? On writing? Publishing? Marketing?
Sara – Just do it! Then buy Grammarly Premium and EDIT, EDIT, EDIT!
