Interview with Australian Author – Dave Blumenthal

“Australian Authors” – Tell us a little about yourself? Perhaps something not many people know?

Dave – I’m not your typical author. I’m best known for the puns and dad jokes that I draw daily on my childrens’ school lunch bags, under my moniker @sandwichbagdad on Instagram or Facebook. You can find out more about me at www.sandwichbagdad.com

“Australian Authors” – What made you want to become a writer?

Dave – Although I’ve been doodling on my kids lunch bags for around 10 years now, my quirky ritual shot to fame last year when I was featured on a range of global websites and media. My humble little drawings have now even had their own exhibition at Australia’s National Cartoon Gallery! On the back of all the overwhelming support and positive feedback, I’ve now published a book of my cartoons called “The Cartoon Chronicles of Sandwich Bag Dad”

“Australian Authors” – What gives you inspiration for your book(s)?

Dave – There were 3 reasons for publishing my book. Firstly, I wanted to create a physical record of my work for my 3 daughters. At the moment, they groan and roll their eyes at a lot of my lunchbags puns, but I hope it will be something they will treasure in the years to come. Secondly, I’ve realised that my bag cartoons seem to make lots of people around the world chuckle and smile. With all the depressing news around at the moment, I think its really important for people to stop and just smile if they can. Thankfully there is a dad joke in practically any situation so I’m always happy to oblige (I always say I’m just trying to use my dadjoke superpowers for good rather than evil). Perhaps most importantly though, the 3rd reason for the book is to help support the Leukaemia Foundation. I will be donating at least 15% of the profits from the book to the Leukaemia Foundation. My dad passed away from Leukaemia so it’s a cause close to my heart. He was the king of dad jokers in our household, so I think the book is a great way to acknowledge and honour his legacy too.

“Australian Authors” – Now, the big question, are you working on another book?

Dave – Having only just lauched this one, the answer is “not yet”. I still draw and post my lunch bag art almost daily to social media, so who knows.

“Australian Authors” – What genres do you prefer to write in?

Dave – Definitely humor/comedy.

“Australian Authors” – What do you think about the ebook revolution?

Dave – The immediacy of an ebook download is great and super convenient. I still love the feel of an old fashioned paperbook though – and personally I think my own book is just more suited to sitting on a physical coffee table than in the virtual world.

“Australian Authors” – Do you start a book with a definite plot, or do you just write?

Dave – I start with an idea. Usually something that makes me smile.

“Australian Authors” – Pen or type writer or computer?

Dave – Definitely pen.

“Australian Authors” – Do your characters seem to hijack the story, or are you always in control?

Dave – As the cartoonist, I always call the shots. I have an eraser and am not afraid to use it on delinquent characters or scenes!

“Australian Authors” – Are your characters based on real people or completely imagined?

Dave – Both.

“Australian Authors” – Have you thought about joining with another author to write a book?

Dave – I’m always open to collaborations.

“Australian Authors” – Who are your favourite authors?

Dave – I love the nuttiness of Douglas Adams and his novels.

“Australian Authors” – What’s your advice to Authors? On writing? Publishing? Marketing?

Dave – Do it! And if in doubt, just do it anyway 🙂

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!

Interview with Australian Author – Rachael Wode

“Australian Authors” – Tell us a little about yourself? Perhaps something not many people know?

Rachael – I have a rare condition called a protein C deletion which causes Thrombophilia. Basically my blood is too thick for my body to process.

“Australian Authors” – What made you want to become a writer?

Rachael – I have always loved books, and was encouraged by family and friends to put pen to paper.

“Australian Authors” – What gives you inspiration for your book(s)?

Rachael – My inspiration goes back to one of my childhood favourites, Roald Dahl, and reading his famous books.

“Australian Authors” – Now, the big question, are you working on another book?

Rachael – Yes, I am working on a series of books.

“Australian Authors” – What genres do you prefer to write in?

Rachael – Fantasy

“Australian Authors” – What do you think about the ebook revolution?

Rachael – It is a good idea, although, there will always be a want for printed books somewhere.

“Australian Authors” – Do you start a book with a definite plot, or do you just write?

Rachael – I just write, however, the characters I have created are a definite requirement to the plot.

“Australian Authors” – Pen or type writer or computer?

Rachael – All of the above, I always need to write down ideas when they come to me, then I type them on the computer later and expand my story with those ideas.

“Australian Authors” – Do your characters seem to hijack the story, or are you always in control?

Rachael – I am always in control of my characters.

“Australian Authors” – Are your characters based on real people or completely imagined?

Rachael – Imagined, (Mostly)

“Australian Authors” – Have you thought about joining with another author to write a book?

Rachael – It would depend on their writing style and ideas.

“Australian Authors” – Who are your favourite authors?

Rachael – Roald Dahl, Brigid Kemmerer, J,K Rowling, Stephanie Meyer, Susanne Collins and Veronica Roth.

“Australian Authors” – What’s your advice to Authors? On writing? Publishing? Marketing?

Rachael – Avoid vanity publishers, they take your money and give you nothing but grief and false promises.

Interview with Australian Author – Donna Munro

“Australian Authors” – Tell us a little about yourself? Perhaps something not many people know?

Donna – I’m only 4′ 10″ and been called Shorty, Pygmie, Short Stuff among other names. It doesn’t bother me. I like being petite. Though I mostly write one genre (women’s fiction) I read widely. I once had such a bad sporting accident (head clash in basketball) my head injuries were equated to a car crash victim. My head was wrapped in pressure bandages. I looked like an Egyptian mummy and my youngest son wouldn’t come near me. I love Africa, wild animal, pets, children (I have two grandchildren), collecting notebooks, elephants, owls, The Roosters (NRL), beaches and sunshine, cheese, and I’m addicted to Peanut Butter.

“Australian Authors” – What made you want to become a writer?

Donna – I’ve written as long as I can remember. I wrote ‘The Mouse with the Musical Ears’ in second class. My mother nurtured a love of reading and though my dad had little education he encouraged me to question, research and broaden my education through practical sources as well as books. Making up stories makes people happy and that’s why I write, to make people happy, or at least feel something.

“Australian Authors” – What gives you inspiration for your book(s)?

Donna – Places, people, animals, children, and memories (especially deep-seated grief and recovery). Often the idea will be in my subconscious. It will take a while to form before I begin a story. I like things to brew. But, if necessary I can write to a prompt or assignment quickly.

“Australian Authors” – Now, the big question, are you working on another book?

Donna – Yes, always. I began with a different idea, but after I joined a critique group my focus shifted. I’m now fully engrossed in the process of creating my next general fiction book (tentatively titled Heartbreak House on Blueshell Beach). Receiving feedback from my peers has made me realise I should submit to traditional publishers rather than continue self-publishing. So my aim this year is to become hybrid.

“Australian Authors” – What genres do you prefer to write in?

Donna – I wrote mostly non-fiction during my freelance writing career. It was easier to sell than fiction. I always had a manuscript on the go. The first Bindi was general fiction with romantic elements (as most do). It was good but I had a lot to learn. I wrote a further four (all draw bound) before I published Elephant Creek. All tend to be high on romance but not category because I add suspense and twists. I guess I have my own style. I prefer character-driven stories and would probably say women’s contemporary fiction is my preferred genre.

“Australian Authors” – What do you think about the ebook revolution?

Donna – I don’t mind it. I knew things would go that way. I’ve been tech-savvy for quite some time. I worked with the first publisher in Australia to offer ebooks. They were ahead of their time, but sadly too far ahead and were originally scoffed at. Some people prefer Kindles and iPads but I love the feel and smell of real books. To me, nothing will replace relaxing with a good paperback or hardcover book.

“Australian Authors” – Do you start a book with a definite plot, or do you just write?

Donna – I brew the plot for a while; thinking, dreaming and taking notes. Early days I wrote a list of chapters and what would be in them (about a paragraph). I still use that if my plot seems to be wavering but I’m now more of a pantser, letting the GCM of the main characters make them do what they need to do. I love when the characters take over, and I know they are guiding the story in the right direction. Though of course, I have to pull them up every now and then.

“Australian Authors” – Pen or type writer or computer?

Donna – I used to do everything long-hand and then type it. It’s laborious. Now I write my stories in Word (with added Grammarly app) on my computer (HP laptop). I love technology, so I’m comfortable doing it that way.

“Australian Authors” – Do your characters seem to hijack the story, or are you always in control?

Donna – Always, in ways I don’t expect but find them as lovely surprises. I’m getting better at character development. That’s where they take on a life of their own. I become invested in their future.

“Australian Authors” – Are your characters based on real people or completely imagined?

Donna – Oh, should I admit that some are based on real people? Loosely of course. My husband believes he’s the love interest in every story, ha, ha (not that he’s read them). I guess I have to give him a little credit, especially since he loves me unconditionally though he doesn’t get the writing gig. Like all authors, if someone does me an injustice they may find themselves in a story, and not in a flattering light. Also, they may be killed off. Though, I did kill off a favourite character once, but that was only because of where the character led me rather than it being about anyone real. That was a sad moment.

“Australian Authors” – Have you thought about joining with another author to write a book?

Donna – I’ve done collaborative books so, yes. I featured in ‘Having it all at 50 Plus Innovative Edition’, had two stories in ‘Just What the Doctor Ordered’ and am working on an anthology with my critique partners where we’ll each submit two romance stories.

“Australian Authors” – Who are your favourite authors?

Donna – Early days I loved Nancy Drew (written by various authors), Go Ask Alice by Beatrice Sparks, Puberty Blues by Gabrielle Carey and Kathy Lette and The Stud, The Natural (a surfer series that I have not been able to find since). I loved Tarzan novels too. Edgar Rice Burroughs encouraged my love of Africa. A standout was Gloria Keverne’s A Man Cannot Cry. Roots by Alex Haley. Australian authors Jennifer Bacia and Di Morrisey. More recently Mandy Magro and Liane Moriarty. I’ve just read fellow RWA author award-winning romantic suspense by Michelle Somers, Lethal in Love.

“Australian Authors” – What’s your advice to Authors? On writing? Publishing? Marketing?

Donna – On writing, read Stephen King’s On Writing and any other writing recourse you can get your hands on. Take courses like the RWA OWLs to improve your craft, and most of all WRITE! Find a critique group. On publishing, I submitted manuscripts over the years and gave up. In hindsight, I should have continued submitting because any feedback is good for improving. I self-published after I turned 50. I found the process easy but being a graphic designer and having a stint working for publishers gave me invaluable input, a(and what not to do). Anyone attempting it needs to find the right resources to self-publish professionally. I love the freedom of self-publishing but will now chase a book deal. Make sure the book is well edited. On marketing, that’s the tough one. Everyone says to build an author platform. Definitely have a website. You also have to market your books often and regularly. It’s time-consuming and takes away from writing time. If possible automate it and keep writing.