Quote of the day:
*
*
VIOLET APTED
GUEST AUTHOR
*
G'day guys,
Today I welcome an Australian author who has had an interesting life - Violet Apted. This lovely lady arrived in Australia from Sussex, England in 1976 and has settled in Queensland, Australia. She is well travelled. Welcome, Violet.
TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOUR WRITING JOURNEY.
When I was very young I had a fascination with ‘quotations’and collected them in an album. My younger siblings shared a bedroom and always wanted me to tell them a bedtime story. I began writing them down. It was a natural happening that flipped my writing muse and soon had many stories in my cupboard.
Only after encouragement from my head Mistress about my essays did I find a little confidence that maybe I would let others read them, but I was in my early twenties before finally sending my first short story to a magazine! It was published! It was only the first of many.
WERE YOU A GOOD READER AS A KID?
YES! In fact I was scolded many times for always having my head in a book! I had an insatiable thirst for books.
WHEN AND HOW DID YOU BECOME A WRITER?
For me the question was, ‘How could I NOT become a writer’! From my early childhood I had a compulsion to write and keeping a diary was the beginning!
WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT BEING A WRITER? The feeling when I complete a story and the pride when that story is published.
WHAT IS THE HARDEST THING ABOUT BEING A WRITER?
It can be lonely! But the hardest thing is the lack of understanding from non-writers.
*
*
WHAT WERE YOU IN A PAST LIFE, BEFORE YOU BECAME A WRITER?
Unfulfilled!
WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST WRITING ACHIEVEMENT?
Winning the’ RSL’ writing competition. I can still hear the applause when I was presented with my prize!
WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON AT THE MOMENT?
I have just completed my non-fiction novel about my life during WW11 in UK and finalising a Sci Fi time travel story which was a joy to write because it allowed me to stretch my imagination to a higher level!
WHAT INSPIRES YOU?
The faith in me shown by my husband and family!
WHAT GENRE DO YOU WRITE?
I am able to write in all genres. My favourite would be my children’s stories.
DO YOU HAVE ANY TIPS FOR NEW WRITERS?
Let it flow!
DO YOU SUFFER FROM WRITER’S BLOCK?
Rarely
*
*
DO YOU HAVE A PREFERRED WRITING SCHEDULE?
The early hours of the morning, before the rest of the world is awake is my favourite time to write.
DO YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE WRITING PLACE?
I have created a ’snug’ little office.
WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST JOY IN WRITING?
Seeing the pleasure others get from reading my work and the feeling of achievement when a story is completed.
WHO IS YOUR FAVOURITE AUTHOR AND WHY?Charles Dickens was my favourite since childhood, but I do love Agatha Christie. Both authors depict the life and era’s they lived.
WHAT’S THE GREATEST COMPLIMENT YOU EVER RECEIVED FROM A READER?I was once told I am the Agatha Christie of the New Millennium! Never
forgot that!
WHAT WAS THE WORST COMMENT FROM A READER?
My older sister once said she wasn’t interested in reading my novel! It hurt!
WRITERS ARE SOMETIMES INFLUENCED BY THINGS THAT HAPPEN IN THEIR OWN LIVES. ARE YOU?
Very much so! Every story I write has a part of me or my family in it!
HOW MANY BOOKS HAVE YOU PUBLISHED?
Three
*
*
HAVE YOU WON ANY PRIZES OR AWARDS?
Yes many certificates and competitions.
WHAT DID THEY MEAN TO YOU?
Confidence
OTHER THAN WRITING, WHAT ELSE DO YOU LOVE?
The sea!
DID YOU HAVE YOUR BOOK / BOOKS PROFESSIONALLY EDITED BEFORE PUBLICATION?
Yes
IF YOU HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TO THE ENTIRE WORLD, WHAT WOULD YOU SAY?
Live and let live. Be at peace with each other
DESCRIBE YOUR PERFECT DAY.
Writing in the early hours, Breakfast on the veranda with my husband gives me a great start to the day. Spending time with my family and watching a little TV holding hands with my husband completes my day.
WHAT ARE YOUR GREATEST ASSETS AS A WRITER?
My vivid imagination and a sense of adventure that never diminishes
IF YOU WERE STUCK ON A DESERT ISLAND WITH ONE PERSON, WHO WOULD YOU LIKE IT TO BE? WHY?
My husband, because we never run out of conversation and he can always
make me laugh!
SHOULD YOU WRITE YOUR PERFECT BOOK, WHAT WOULD IT BE ABOUT?
It would be non-fiction and about my life, as I have experienced so much and travelled extensively.
WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR THE FUTURE?
To keep striving for THE best seller!
ANYTHING YOU’D LIKE TO ADD?
I have lived a long and varied life. Experienced the loneliness of widowhood and feel very lucky to now know a contentment and happiness that just adds to my ability to write!
*
Clancy's comment: Thanks, Violet. Agree with you about the sea. It's a wonderful drug. Now, slip out onto that veranda and put ya feet up. Let me know when ya crack the best seller list.
I'm ...
*
