Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a novelist living in Brisbane, Australia. My fourth novel has just been published and was released on February 15th.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The story of “In Strange Worlds” came to me one Sunday morning when I was writing random thoughts in my journal. It came as a ‘what if?. What if you woke one day to find that everybody else had died? What would you think? What would you do? Where would you go? What would happen to you?
The story grew quite quickly and became the personal journey of Meg.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
When I’m not sure what’s going to happen next in a story, I find that having a long, hot shower provides inspiration. There are two problems with this: the hot water bill, and the fact that you can’t take notes while standing in a shower cubicle!
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Too many to name. I am a voracious reader. Julia Cameron’s books on writing are quite wonderful.
What are you working on now?
A sequel to “In Strange Worlds”. There were many questions left unanswered.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I try to get the word out everywhere; social networks, blogs, advertising sites, etc. I held a book launch and invited everyone I knew. It was a great night that provided opportunities for publicity and word-of-mouth sales.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
You don’t become a neurosurgeon or airline pilot overnight with no training. Nor will you become a writer that way. Put your bum in the seat and write, write, write.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Put your bum in the seat and write, write, write.
What are you reading now?
The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt
What’s next for you as a writer?
Completing the sequel to “In Strange Worlds”. Then I have two other novels in draft stage.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, The Bible (not for the sake of religious content, but because it’s long and has a lot of interesting stories), The Oxford Dictionary (learn a few new words in my spare time) and an atlas of the solar system so I could learn all the constellations.
Author Websites and Profiles
Brenda Cheers Website
Brenda Cheers Amazon Profile
Brenda Cheers’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile