Interview with Australian Author – Neil A White
“Australian Authors” – Tell us a little about yourself? Perhaps something not many people know?
Neil – I was once an aspiring tennis professional, to the point where I dropped out of university and played full-time for a year. Reality set-in when realising “professional” meant actually earning money. Soon after that epiphany, I opted for Plan B and accepted a tennis scholarship to a university in America. Which explains, after 30+ years, my butchered Australian accent.
“Australian Authors” – What made you want to become a writer?
Neil – The voices in my head? Seriously though, I’ve always wanted to write since I was a small child. Unfortunately, for most of us, life often times gets in the way of our dreams. Luckily, I reached a point a few years back where I was able to move into a new phase in my life allowing me to begin providing an outlet to the voices and stories swirling around inside my brain.
“Australian Authors” – Now, the big question, are you working on another book?
Neil – Yes, in fact I already have another novel completed. It is the first in a planned series starring a sardonic foreign correspondent (and reluctant spy) who manages to insinuate himself (often times ham-fistedly) into difficult situations around the globe. The first instalment revolves around human trafficking, a shady Russian oligarch, Ukrainian spies and a mole in British intelligence. Isn’t it time we had an Australian spy hero?
“Australian Authors” – What genres do you prefer to write in?
Neil – Action/Adventure, Historical Fiction, Mystery, Thriller
“Australian Authors” – What do you think about the ebook revolution?
Neil – Much the same way as I look at tattoos, they’re not for me but I wouldn’t ever belittle another person’s choice. I know it makes me sound old-fashioned but I prefer the look, feel, smell of a book. Of course, that being said, my books will always be available in an eBook format – I’m not stupid.
“Australian Authors” – Do you start a book with a definite plot, or do you just write?
Neil – Definitely with a plot in mind, I find this helps with pacing of the story. However, I learnt a lot writing my first novel. I “thought” I had the plot well conceived in my head, yet still managed to write myself into a corner on numerous occasions. For my second novel I added a lot more structure, literally planning out each chapter from start to finish. I did make a few small changes along the way as the characters took shape but nothing too far outside the boundaries I’d established.
“Australian Authors” – Do your characters seem to hijack the story, or are you always in control?
Neil – I’d like to think I remain in control. Occasionally though they’ll surprise me with a twist that I like and I’ll then work it into the plot.
“Australian Authors” – Are your characters based on real people or completely imagined?
Neil – My first novel, Closure, has a hint of autobiography to it, so many of the characters were based on family members as I recalled them from my formative years. Though just a hint, my early days were nowhere near as tumultuous as the young protagonist’s turned out to be. For ‘Turn A Blind Eye’ all characters are purely imaginary. With the novel revolving around the banking industry, in which I spent a good number of years, that statement should (hopefully) keep me out of hot water.
“Australian Authors” – Who are your favourite authors?
Neil – This answer may take a while. My love of reading began with the novels of John le Carre, Graham Greene & Len Deighton. Later, having lived in the US for far too long, I yearned for a taste of home; Tim Winton, Thomas Keneally, Peter Carey, Peter Temple & Richard Flanagan helped fill the void. Roddy Doyle, John Banville (Benjamin Black) & Ken Bruen; even though their seemingly effortless humor and poignant prose lull the rest of us into thinking writing is easy. The novels of Stuart Neville, Charles Cumming & Olen Steinhauer are all “must-reads”. Philip Kerr’s Bernie Gunther provided the inspiration for my forthcoming Matt Latham series. And as well as being first-class writers; Mark Smith, Jock Serong & Mark Brandi have all been wonderfully supportive of my writing over the past year.
“Australian Authors” – What’s your advice to Authors? On writing? Publishing? Marketing?
Neil – Just write, then write some more. Self-publish if need be, and put your work (and yourself) out there in the marketplace. The publishing world is changing faster than anyone could’ve ever imagined. I believe, the days of waiting to have that one manuscript you’ve been polishing for 10 years accepted by a traditional publisher are over. I self-published my first novel, and with a few quality reviews in hand was able to parlay that into a contract with a small publisher for my second novel. Along the way I learnt about the publishing industry, what not to do the next time, and the importance of being able to market yourself as well as your book. Now I’m looking to take the next step. But next steps can’t happen without a first step.
