Interview with Australian Author – Peter Cawdron
“Australian Authors” – Tell us a little about yourself? Perhaps something not many people know?
Peter – I’m originally from New Zealand
“Australian Authors” – What made you want to become a writer?
Peter – Reality TV—seriously, I find it utterly unreal and contrived. Back before Netflix there wasn’t too much to do on the web other than browse endlessly so, to amuse myself, I started writing, and I’m still amusing myself now over a decade later.
“Australian Authors” – Now, the big question, are you working on another book?
Peter – I generally have three or four novels on the go simultaneously. Some authors suffer from writer’s block. Me too, only mine is made from chocolate. There’s simply not enough time to write all the stories I’d like to commit to the page.
“Australian Authors” – What genres do you prefer to write in?
Peter – I’ve dabbled in everything from gothic horror and thrillers to comedy (Alien Space Tentacle Porn) and even romance (under a pseudonym), but I keep coming back to science fiction as that’s what I thoroughly enjoy.
“Australian Authors” – What do you think about the ebook revolution?
Peter – We live in the age of distraction. Anything that helps people focus on reading is totally awesome. I don’t feel threatened by other authors. To me, the competition for people’s attention comes from Facebook and Candy Crush, reality TV and Netflix, not other authors. I love the challenge of writing something so compelling and engrossing that people will turn those things off and simply stare at words on a page, be that paper or electronic.
“Australian Authors” – Do you start a book with a definite plot, or do you just write?
Peter – I have a goal rather than a plot. I know the feel of the novel, the characters, their motivations, their shortcomings, but not the path they’ll tread. If I knew the plot, I wouldn’t write it. What’s the point if you know how it’s going to end? If everything’s contrived, it’s a waste of time. For me, the adventure is in finding my way to the end, and I hope the journey’s as enjoyable for readers as it is for me.
“Australian Authors” – Do your characters seem to hijack the story, or are you always in control?
Peter – Writing is exploration. If you’re in control, you’re missing the joy of the story. Both reading and writing are about learning. Nothing’s settled. The future is veiled to all of us, whether that’s in real life or the pages of a book.
“Australian Authors” – Are your characters based on real people or completely imagined?
Peter – I’ve only ever used real people as characters on a rare handful of occasions, and only with the permission of those involved.
“Australian Authors” – Who are your favourite authors?
Peter – I could name dozens of science fiction authors, both past and present, but perhaps the most influential author I follow is John Greene, precisely because he’s NOT a science fiction writer. Because he doesn’t write about scifi, there is soooooo much I can learn from him. John doesn’t have to rely on space battles and acid-dripping aliens to engross readers, and neither should I.
“Australian Authors” – What’s your advice to Authors? On writing? Publishing? Marketing?
Peter – Writing is a marathon, not a sprint. It takes endurance, passion, patience, resilience. Embrace criticism—learn from it. The only way to stay motivated is to fine your greatest reward in the act of composition and not the acclaim of others.
