Interview With Author Sara Powter
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I live an hour north of Sydney in Australia. I’m a descendant of four convicts, and this inspired my passion to learn more about them. When I was eight, my grandfather moved in with us, and I sat enwrapped, listening to his stories of yesteryear and fell in love with the Colonial Era of Australia.
I’m happily married ( 34+ years), and we have one dog and a few tame magpies.
I started writing three years ago ( in September 2020), and I’m in the middle of my twenty-first book. (That’s over 2,350,000 words)
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The last one I have finished is called “When upon Life’s Billows” It’s inspired by Governor John Hunter, who was the second governor of New South Wales and the trials and tribulations he faced trying to fight against the illicit brewing of rum. It was just before The Australian Rum Rebellion. Australia is the ONLY country the world who used Alcohol as legal tender.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I sit and write. The characters often run away with my plot, but that’s half the fun of writing.
I often start with a title, a beginning and an end, and then the rest just happens.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I would have to say Sheila Hunter was my inspiration… my mum!
Catherine Gaskin, Marcus Clarke, EV Timms, Eleanor Dark, and so many more.
Mum started reading me Georgette Heyer when I was a child. I loved the romance of the era, and then I discovered that mum had written three of her own.
What are you working on now?
A book about a colonial leather tanner in Parramatta. Currently I am undecided about the title.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Amazon, followed by facebook and my newsletter.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Keep at it. I had no intention of ever setting pen to paper, then COVID-19 hit, and we retired in the middle of a lockdown. This was followed by a broken rib, sprained ankle, and a 3-month long trip in our caravan, and I had much more time on my hands than expected. So I wrote… and wrote… and wrote.
Oh, and do the FREE Bryan Cohen Ad Challenge to learn how to advertise on Amazon!
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Divide your brain into two… The creative writing side and the technical editing side. When there creative juices flow- let them- WRITE… but when you’re tired – edit.
What are you reading now?
I’m just about to start Tea Cooper’s “The Naturalists Daughter.”
What’s next for you as a writer?
Launch book 13, Do the final edit on book 14, and finish writing book 21. Books 15 to 20 are done and need a 2nd edit.
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 Bible, a survival manual and a solar-powered ebook. (does that count?)
Author Websites and Profiles
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