Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
In a former life, I was an academic – which explains the variation in the sorts of books I’ve written. Of the 10 published to date, half of them are non-fiction and reflect that former life. But it’s the writing career that came first, and still continues. My first 2 books published were children’s picture books, and the most recent three are fiction. As well as books there are hundreds of published works include articles, short stories, poetry, and stage-plays. Currently, I spend most of my writing time on fiction. Home is Auckland, New Zealand’s stunning City of Sails, though I am rather inclined to wander other places in the world.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The latest published, Backwards Into the Future, is a novel about growing up in a small town – people, events, hopes, and what happens to them. Some readers have said it is a ‘novel with the feel of a memoir about it’. Though it is not autobiographical, I have woven into the book a lot of memories of my own upbringing in a similar small town, so readers will likely experience many ‘hey, I remember that’ moments. Writing this story about friendship was, in part, a work of acknowledgement of my roots, with thoughts about past and present.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
When I read about the lives of many other authors, particularly some big-name males from the past, I sometimes conclude that, if they’re the norm for writers, I must be unusual. No whisky, no drunken binges – in fact I’m quite abstemious, how could I be a writer? I do like coffee, though I usually limit my daily cups to 1 or 2. And none of that get up at 4 a.m. business that some writers talk about! I used to be more disciplined than I am now – sitting down and pushing myself to get on with it. If I didn’t have an external deadline, I’d set one for myself, and make up rules about how much to produce. Then I’d pretty much keep office hours. These days I’m a bit nicer to myself, allowing myself to take time off.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
One of my favourite poems, Tennyson’s Ulysses, includes a line that must be particularly apt to this question – I am part of all that I have met. While I have not knowingly tried to write like anyone else, given all the reading I have done over all the years, a lot must have rubbed off and helped produce my style.
What are you working on now?
After years of promising myself I’d do it one day, the time now seems right and I am getting together a volume of my short stories. Most have been published before, but some will be seen in print for the first time. There’s a variety, so I expect readers will laugh, cry, and think.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
The answer to that has to be: the method I’m still trying to find! If writing a book is hard to do – and it is, believe me – marketing it is much more difficult. Along with so many authors, I find the business of promoting myself is contrary to my personality. Online sites such as this make the task a little more bearable, so THANK YOU for this opportunity!
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t under-estimate the work involved. Most authors put in a huge amount of preparatory work before they even start the writing process.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Well, my father told me decades ago to always turn the wheelbarrow in the direction you want to wheel it, before you fill it up. That’s still good practical advice!
What are you reading now?
For years while I was writing non-fiction, that’s what I mainly read. Now though, I’m enjoying catching up with novels – literary fiction, contemporary, fantasy, science fiction. At the same time, I also enjoy reading biographies and memoirs.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Fame and fortune would be good. A best-selling novel. A smash hit stage play. Film rights. Any of those would be great. Then I’ll be able to employ a PA to handle all the mundane tasks that come along with the writing.
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?
Hmmm – maybe I’d take some of my own. That’s not as egotistical as it may sound. I can’t read anything I have written without seeing how I would now alter it. Since my computer won’t work there, let me take a red pen and I’ll go through them yet again and rewrite. It sounds like an idea that should be written into every author’s pre-publication process.
Author Websites and Profiles
Bronwyn Elsmore Website
Bronwyn Elsmore Amazon Profile
Bronwyn Elsmore’s Social Media Links
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Hey, Awesome Gang – thank you for this! You are indeed Awesome!