Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have written five books so far, which are all published with Amazon and can be downloaded on Kindle. My character, Hana Johal-Du Rose is nothing like me, but was inspired by a lady I saw once, waiting for a bus. She was wearing high heeled shoes and had taken them off to stand at the bus stop. She was outside an all boys’ school and bravely standing at the front of the queue, dressed in smart clothes. They were giving her a wide berth out of politeness – New Zealand boys are generally quite lovely. I thought she would make a lovely book character.
I was raised in England, although I also spent some time growing up in West Germany. I emigrated to New Zealand with my husband and four children in 2006, arriving here with only a suitcase and carry-on bag each to our name. My character is an immigrant, partly because dealing with her issues on paper, helped me to exorcise the immigration-demons that can surround those of us who often feel like exiles. I love the Maori culture in New Zealand and am often surprised and confounded by the overt racism that exists here. I think that comes out in my novels a bit. I have spent a lot of time studying the culture and really love its rich tapestry. I live in a Maori dominated community and many of my close friends are part of that heritage. I am a Christian and so, although most of my characters are influenced by world issues, Hana tries very hard to steer a straight course through life. She doesn’t always succeed and hopefully it comes across that we are all full of human frailty, but God willingly accepts our best, if it is genuinely given. I have spent thirteen years working in the education sector, both here and in England, as well as having four children go through school and being a class helper for more years than I care to think about, so tend to write about what I am familiar with. The New Zealand bush has really captured my interest, as it is so different to anything I have experienced before. I once went for a bush tramp with a very capable guide who managed to eat fairly constantly from the bottom of the mountain to the top, despite having brought nothing with her. She munched on bugs and leaves from the moment we entered the canopy. I on the other hand, stuck to my muesli bars and a rather embarrassing tin of mushy peas that I got from the British Shop and ate cold. My guide ate bugs and thought my peas were disgusting! We do keep horses and one of my daughters trains really difficult and temperamental ones, so the horse riding is based on my own experience.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
‘One Heartbeat’ was the title I gave Book 5, literally the night it was published. Throughout this novel, a single phrase kept playing on my mind. I heard it in a preach at night church and ended up threading it through the book, although it has touched me personally since. The pastor said, “We are all just one heartbeat away from eternity,” and that really stuck with me.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I once took myself off to the beach for a day in the middle of winter and wrote and edited in the car. I took a drink and some snacks and parked in front of a long drop (bush toilet) so felt as though I was well catered for. I seem to be able to write almost anywhere, which can be disconcerting for my family, who occasionally come across me writing in strange places…such as the greenhouse.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I have really enjoyed Rebecca Shaw’s ‘The Village’ series, set in rural England during the 1990’s. It reminds me of home and I love how she sets the characters out and juxtaposes them all between each other. I also like Katie Fforde and Earlene Fowler’s books. I did a degree in English Literature so enjoyed three years of Austen and Hardy plus a lot of American writers and am a sucker for a strong male character. I think we all dream of knowing a ‘Mr Darcy’ type character and I guess my ‘Logan Du Rose’ has some of his qualities. The difference is that Logan has a dangerous side to him, which is fantastic to write.
What are you working on now?
I am currently working on Book 6 of ‘A Waikato Presbyterian School for Boys Mystery’. I am enjoying the continuing dynamic between the characters. I had thought that I might stop after the fifth book, ‘One Heartbeat’ but got such a distressed email from a fan begging me not to leave it there, that I obligingly started the next one. The ideas came fast and furious and it was a good decision. I always doubt myself at the end of each book and contemplate stopping or doing something different, but here I am again. I also paint and so the Book 6 cover is going to be a painting of my idea of the Waikato Presbyterian School for Boys frontage. Hopefully the two will be finished at the same time!
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m very new at the promotion part of being an author. I have been writing for years, but actually publishing is a very new experience. I find the Goodreads author groups really useful but at the moment am really just finding my way through it all. The free promotions on Amazon have been good at getting my first book out to the readers and I will have to see if they come back for the others.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Once you’re happy with your writing, get it out there. There is nothing more fulfilling than having someone pay money for something that you have produced (even if the first two are your parents!) It is the driving force for continuing, that someone may enjoy the fruits of your labour and actually come back for more.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
I once heard a very wise lady say that no matter how we are feeling or what is going on in our lives, we should always try and smile at our children as often as possible, even if it is a complete act of will sometimes. Because one day, it is the thing that they will remember about us. I would love it if that was the thing my children remembered about me.
What are you reading now?
In between writing and working and taking care of my family, I am reading Gervase Phinn’s ‘Trouble at the Little Village School’, which I am really enjoying.
What’s next for you as a writer?
After Book 6, I’m not sure. I tend to live one book at a time at the moment. I would like to become more well-known I guess and for my books to become popular, but I’m sure that is every author’s dream. Because I work, I tend to write for pleasure and so have the luxury of writing or not as I want – if I was using my work to pay the mortgage I think it would be quite stressful and possibly rob me of my enjoyment.
What is your favorite book of all time?
My most favourite book of all time is ‘The Far Pavilions’ by MM Kaye. It was incredibly long but by the end of it, I felt as though I had become part of the story. I have actually read it three times in total and had to leave my copy in the UK when we emigrated to New Zealand. If I find another copy, I will insist on taking it with me wherever I end up.
Author Websites and Profiles
K T Bowes Amazon Profile
K T Bowes’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile