Interview with Australian Author – Desley Allen
“Australian Authors” – Tell us a little about yourself? Perhaps something not many people know?
Desley – Now retired on the Sunshine Coast, I was born a wanderer, having lived in New Zealand for 2 years, Kenya for 10 years and did the grey nomad thing around Australia for 3 years. During my life I have lived permanently in 50 houses so an expert packer and regular thrower outer.
“Australian Authors” – What made you want to become a writer?
Desley – Since a little girl I loved writing. Using words to transcribe the wonder of the world around me. My ambition was to see the wildlife in Africa and having attained that I felt compelled to write and share the untold stories of the people I met there and the misadventures I encountered on my travels.
“Australian Authors” – What gives you inspiration for your book(s)?
Desley – Nature – an awe-inspiring sunset, sounds of a million birds nesting in the trees, satiated lion cubs unable to lift their tummies off the ground. People – they’re unique stories, quirks and foibles, what makes them tick. Negotiating the pitfalls and pleasures of living in the third world in a cross-cultural marriage.
“Australian Authors” – Now, the big question, are you working on another book?
Desley – Yes. A children’s book based on kids going to live in Africa with their family to live in an orphanage and share the everyday lives of the children who make balls out of string and cars out of wire coat hangers.
“Australian Authors” – What genres do you prefer to write in?
Desley – Autobiographical Sometimes historical.
“Australian Authors” – What do you think about the ebook revolution?
Desley – It has opened up the world for many readers not able to afford paper books. Also for authors who can now self-publish and see their works of art in digital print form. They don’t smell as nice as when you open a book, or the rustle of turning pages, but certainly save on buying new bookshelves, let alone dusting them.
“Australian Authors” – Do you start a book with a definite plot, or do you just write?
Desley – A bit of each. A rough skeleton. A jigsaw puzzle of bits and pieces to fit into the story and the ending you are heading towards.
“Australian Authors” – Pen or type writer or computer?
Desley – Computer
“Australian Authors” – Do your characters seem to hijack the story, or are you always in control?
Desley – Oh. My characters are really my other skin at times. Always top of my thoughts. Too real for comfort.
“Australian Authors” – Are your characters based on real people or completely imagined?
Desley – Sometimes real people heavily disguised. Maybe characteristics of several. Or they take on a different personality altogether. All my baddies are made up.
“Australian Authors” – Have you thought about joining with another author to write a book?
Desley – No. A new and different concept for me to get my head around.
“Australian Authors” – Who are your favourite authors?
Desley – Australian authors who paint a picture of early historical settlements in the country, with wonderful never-to-be-forgotten characters. Outback stories that depict the everyday life in our vast rural areas. Tales featuring whacky people and woven around towns and places I have visited already or maybe will never visit. Authors who transport my living breathing self into their stories. One favourite is Susan Duncan.
“Australian Authors” – What’s your advice to Authors? On writing? Publishing? Marketing?
Desley – It’s a huge learning curve and I still have a long way to go because it turns into a circle and you never get to the end. Take advice, research, learn, but most of all just do it. Mistakes are the stepping stones to success.
