Interview with Australian Author – Christine Gardner
“Australian Authors” – Tell us a little about yourself? Perhaps something not many people know?
Christine – I’ve spent most of my life living in the country, but when I was 13 we lived in Sydney (1966) and I went to shows including the Rolling Stones, the Easybeats, Normie Rowe (his farewell concert before he went to Vietnam) and a few others I can’t remember. I also read lots of books! We were living with my grandfather and he used to take us for Sunday drives all around the mountains etc. He always complained I didn’t see anything because I always had my nose stuck in a book.
“Australian Authors” – What made you want to become a writer?
Christine – I always loved reading and enjoyed writing stories at school, but the idea of writing actual books didn’t occur to me until much later. When my youngest son started school I decided to go to TAFE and study art, which I always enjoyed, and while I loved all of it I found not only was I the only student who actually liked the theoretical side of things, I was quite good at it. To cut a very long story short I went on to a Diploma of Arts in Writing and Editing and finished up with a Bachelor of Arts from La Trobe Uni, with Honours (History). I’d already written my first couple of books before uni and wrote a non-fiction afterwards that evolved from my Honours year. Then I went back to fiction writing, which I much prefer. I like to vary my genres in writing as I do in reading.
“Australian Authors” – Now, the big question, are you working on another book?
Christine – I’m in the early stages of another book and hope to have it finished later this year. No title yet but it’s about a house that has a secret and unpleasant history and the young woman who buys it.
“Australian Authors” – What genres do you prefer to write in?
Christine – I enjoyed the children’s books I wrote a few years ago and the fictionalized version of ‘Not Guilty’, which was a true story. As a fiction writer I felt very restricted having to stick to the facts, and although I had access to a lot of material, and spent a lot of time researching, there were some things I could not know, so I built another story around the facts. I much preferred writing that version and was very pleased with that book, ‘Her Flesh and Blood’. I enjoy writing all genres but some are just easier to write.
“Australian Authors” – What do you think about the ebook revolution?
Christine – Most of my sales are ebooks and that allows me to access a worldwide audience so I think it’s great. Personally though, I still prefer to hold a book in my hands and I make sure most of my books are also available in print version.
“Australian Authors” – Do you start a book with a definite plot, or do you just write?
Christine – I always have something in mind–a vague idea of what’s going to happen, but I’m not a chapter by chapter planner.
“Australian Authors” – Do your characters seem to hijack the story, or are you always in control?
Christine – I let them have their way.
“Australian Authors” – Are your characters based on real people or completely imagined?
Christine – Imagined but probably aspects are based on real people.
“Australian Authors” – Who are your favourite authors?
Christine – Stephen King, Dean Koontz, Morton Thompson, Jodi Picoult. Usually I just pick up books that look interesting and I like to try new (to me) writers. I’m always looking for something different and often that means new authors.
“Australian Authors” – What’s your advice to Authors? On writing? Publishing? Marketing?
Christine Gardner – On writing, the best advice I can give you is what I have to keep reminding myself, just sit down and write some words. Every day, or 5 days a week, whatever your life allows you, just sit down and write, even if you don’t feel inspired.
