Who Is James Dempster?

1. What inspired you to write a book?

The story formed in my thoughts and dreams - so I went with it till I knew it had to be fully formed so I could share it with the world. 

2. Who is your favourite author and why?

Many - but I have a particular soft spot for Gerald Durrell who often wove humour and sincere concerns for animals and the planet so effortlessly. Also Spike Milligan - because he is the first author that made me laugh out loud when reading one of his books, and so often thereafter. 

3. What is your favourite food?

I am a vegan.  A couple of favourites include, aloo baingan (indian eggplant curry), the wonderful baked beans on toast (simple and incredibly nutritious) and a good old cuppa of hot black tea.

4. What do you like to do when you are not writing?

Walk with dogs out somewhere natural, read, watch movies, think about stories. 

5. As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up?

I didn't really know - vaguely something to do with the movies, which is a form of storytelling.  In the end I think writing chose me. 

6. What do you think makes a good story?

It has to have a good interesting engaging narrative no matter what the  genre, have some deeper spiritual meaning that is often not apparent if done correctly, and a good moral lesson or three - all subtly woven together and the story is so good, you don't even notice them . 

         7. What was one of the most surprising things you learned from writing your book?    

How long it became from my initial rough calculation on length - being all the 'corners' of the segments of the narrative that filled in during the process, and how the characters became more real inside my mind as they acted out their parts - and when I observed how all the characters were actually different segments of my character/personality given form somehow. 

8. When did you realise you wanted to be a writer?

When I was participating in amateur theater - I discovered the power of the text over all other aspects of any possible final production.  

9. How long does it take you write a book?

Depends on the story - 'Stripes in the Shadows' took about 10 months from first word to last.  Sometimes you have to put a story aside for a while then come back to it, so it depends.  And in the end all stories (or whatever type of creative works of/or art) are subject to a version of what  Paul Valery famously said about poetry 'A poem is never finished, only abandoned.'

10. Can you share with us what your next book will be about?

That is a hard one as I have many novels, and shorter children's stories all percolating inside me.  When it dominates I will do it, and when it is done, then I will be the first to know.  

Who Is Millie Jackson?

1. What inspired you to write a book?

I felt the need to tell my story and to let others know that out of tragedy, hope is more often than not, just around the corner.

2. Who is your favourite author and why?

I have many favourite authors. I loved Liane Moriarty’s earlier work. I am inspired by Eckhart Tolle and many of the Buddhist teachings.

3. What is your favourite food?

My favourite food is seafood especially prawns and crabs

4. What do you like to do when you are not writing?

Walking by water, coffee with friends and browsing shops especially bookstores. I love attending book launches and writers’ festivals.

5. As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up?

I always wanted to be an actress or a singer. I started writing when I was very young and also wanted to keep doing that.

6. What do you think makes a good story?

I enjoy pace, humour and honesty as well as a good plot twist.

         7. What was one of the most surprising things you learned from writing your book?    

I learned that it doesn’t just flow every day, that creativity comes in bursts. I also learned that slumps can be hard but can be worked through if you have the right people and tools around you.

8. When did you realise you wanted to be a writer?

From a very young age, but more seriously after attending a writers’ festival in Ubud around four years ago.

9. How long does it take you write a book?

To do it properly it can take years. I believe at least one year with all of the multitude of edits etc.

10. Can you share with us what your next book will be about?

My next book is a murder mystery set on the northern beaches.

Who Is Joesy Knibbs?

1. What inspired you to write a book?

I have been fascinated with stories ever since I was a child, I would get lost in books and pretend I was the characters and living their stories. The stories inspired my imagination and allowed me to be creative using mine.

2. Who is your favourite author and why?

This is a hard question to answer as I have had many over the years. I have loved J.R Tolkien, C S Lewis, J K Rowling, May Gibbs, Roald Dahl, and now these days I am not reading as much , but when I do I like Melissa Marr and Stephanie Meyers. I think I like these authors because their stories are outside of the normal life we live today. Anything is possible within the storyline , even things I wouldn’t ever think of, so I am able to step into the characters to feel what they feel and stand in their shoes for awhile.

3. What is your favourite food?

My favourite food is chocolate or ice cream.

4. What do you like to do when you are not writing?

When I am not writing I like to spend time with my family watching my grandsons play football or being creative with my granddaughters.

5. As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up?

As a child I wanted to be a Dancer or a singer.

6. What do you think makes a good story?

I think what makes a good story is the ability to take the reader to another place and inspire their creativity and imagination even for a little while.

         7. What was one of the most surprising things you learned from writing your book?    

The most surprising things for me was to see what my imagination had created and to turn it into reality. It was like I made it come alive.

8. When did you realise you wanted to be a writer?

As a child I think it was just a gift that I had and taken it for granted. It wasn’t until I came to Author Academy that I became aware of my gift. Meeting Sue Kennedy and the other authors gave me the space and feedback to recognise the gift in my stories, and that is what made me realise that I wanted to be a writer.

9. How long does it take you write a book?

Once I believe in the idea that my stories are something worth reading it takes about a year.

10. Can you share with us what your next book will be about?

At the moment I am playing around with ideas and haven’t decided on the subject of my next book yet.

Who Is Sonia Young?

1. What inspired you to write a book?

Grief and wanting to share the story about the loss of my first born baby. Even though I started writing this book years ago. I have not finished it but I have published two other books.

2. Who is your favourite author and why?

I don't have a favourite author.

3. What is your favourite food?

I have a sweet tooth so I would have to say chocolate.

4. What do you like to do when you are not writing?

When I am not writing I work as a carer, which I really enjoy. I also like to spend time with the family.

5. As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up?

Don't remember having my heart set on anything but after doing work experience at the age of 15 at Castle Hill RSL I decided I wanted to become a Chef.

6. What do you think makes a good story?

True stories with spiritual overtones.

         7. What was one of the most surprising things you learned from writing your book?    

I was surprised with my ability to write poetry.

8. When did you realise you wanted to be a writer?

A few years after my baby died I wanted to write my story but didn't see myself as a writer.

9. How long does it take you write a book?

Depends on what I am working on. My Poetic Journey and Hidden Treasures took approximately one year to write. The book I am working on now is going to take a lot longer.

10. Can you share with us what your next book will be about?

My next book is about my parents. I am writing it with my mother from her perspective. My dad was an incomplete quadriplegic and Mum was his full time carer. They travelled a lot around Australia. First in a Combi with the wheelchair tied to the back, then in a Motorhome. They had some great adventures in between hospital visits and Dad's surgeries.