Interview With Author Kurt Jay Bertels
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I only started writing books after my first child was born, because I wanted to try teach him certain values and lessons, and I found a more effective way of imparting that knowledge was to use characters in a story. Having a background in nature conservation and having worked as a ranger for 8 years in South Arica’s Greater Kruger National Park, I naturally used animals in my stories. I now have 2 boys and have written 3 published books so far, with several more on the way.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The latest book is called ‘The story of Trunks Maloo’. The story was completely inspired by nature and tells the tale of a young elephant trying to figure out how to grow up. He is big and he strong, but that doesn’t mean he can do what he wants. This is a direct parallel to young male elephants in real life, who are extremely boisterous and can quite often run amok, doing some real damage. It is only when they get taught how to behave (in real life by older male elephants, and in my story by a helpful dung beetle) that they settle down and become productive members of their community.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Nearly all of my ideas are drawn from nature. Each of my stories involves several species that all actually live together and have to negotiate life together. Their relationships are very real, and I have adapted them to tell a story, and to teach children some valuable lessons. A good example of this is in the book ‘Trunks helps Hippo’ where a grumpy hippo doesn’t want to share his water when a young baboon comes down to drink. This actually happens in real life and the hippos really do open their mouths wide and snort a warning to the animals at the water’s edge. I then take a little poetic licence and give voice to their situations.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
You can’t think about children’s books without thinking about Julia Donaldson. Her stories are fanatic – she has an incredible imagination and way with words. I really enjoy the way she uses different rhyming schemes in her different books, and that the characters in her books are so unique in themselves and different from each of her other books.
What are you working on now?
I have the base idea for the 5th Trunks Maloo story, so I need to get that written down before I forget! I also have 2 new books coming out soon for younger readers and their parents called ‘Who am I?’. This is a series of 4 books which teach children about the different types of animals found in our wild world. The stories have a small riddle where the animals describe themselves and then the children have to try to guess which animal is on the next page (helped by a cutout showing the mystery animals eyes). The books are loads of fun and the children love shouting out which animal they think it is!
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I have focused mainly on promoting my books within the community I live in, largely through readings at schools and bookshops. As we are growing and selling more and more books, we now have several sites helping us promote the books, the main one being Mindstir Media.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
I was always told to write about what you know, and I really think that still holds true. Find an area you are interested in, and adapt it create something new, something different.
As is always the case with any project or challenge; if you don’t start, you can’t finish.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Never stop learning. The more you know, the better equipped you are to deal with any challenge that you come across, be it writing a new story, or a personal challenge in your life.
What are you reading now?
For the last few months, I have been reading a lot of autobiographies of some fascinating people. Currently open is Johnny Clegg’s book. He was a singer songwriter who managed to cross cultural barriers with his music during Apartheid in South Africa. He was a real man of the people, and often risked his life and his career to say what needed to be said. A very inspiring man indeed.
What’s next for you as a writer?
As my boys grow up, I want to try keep up with them, and change my stories and my story telling to match their levels. It is not going to be easy, as I have to figure out how to write in that style quite quickly so the books are not completed after they have changed to the next level – and they change so quickly!
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?
This is an easy one for me: any 3 or 4 books by Wilbur Smith. Dealer’s choice.
Author Websites and Profiles
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