ANGELO MIFSUD
- Guest Author -
G'day folks,
Today I feature another Aussie author who has had an interesting career and life - Angelo Mifsud. Angelo is also into bonsai.
Welcome, Angelo ...
1.
TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF
AND YOUR WRITING JOURNEY.
I was born in Malta in 1946 and
immigrated to Australia in 1951. I grew up in the inner suburbs of Sydney in Ultimo. I attended Holy Cross
College Ryde and then moved to J.J. Cahill High School in Mascot.
After finishing my Intermediate Certificate I worked in the furniture
trade as an apprentice wood machinist. In 1975 it was time for a change so I joined
the Royal Australian Air Force as a Supply Clerk.
In 1980 the RAAF posted me (and the family) to Canberra. I left the RAAF
in 1987 and joined the Australian Public Service, and then in 1994 I
ventured into private enterprise as a business analyst contracting till I retired
in 2008.
2.
WHEN AND HOW DID YOU BECOME A
WRITER?
It was while I was in the RAAF in 1976. I was
a purchasing clerk at this time, and it was budget time with restrictions on
spending so we did not have much to do. My colleague and I were tasked with reviewing
Federal and State Government Contracts but somehow we had a discussion on the
subject of writing books. I said confidently that it was easy to write a book.
This off the cuff remark drew criticism from
my colleague who duly threw down a challenge. ‘Well smartypants if you think it
so easy then write one?’
I went home that night thinking about her challenge
that I had accepted without thinking. After the family went to bed I picked up
my writing pad and pen, and at one in the morning drafted the first chapter.
Next day, feeling proud of my achievement and
how easy it was. I showed her (my colleague) the result with the comment. ‘See
I told you it was easy.’
She read the chapter during lunch. After
lunch, when I thought that would be the end of it. She politely asked. ‘Where’s
the next chapter?’
So each night after the family went to bed I sat
and wrote. I drafted twelve chapters but when I came to Canberra I could not
revisit the draft due to the long hours of the job, although I did some work on
it when time allowed. Then in 2008 after retiring I redrafted the entire book
and then finally finished it in 2014, which I duly published in June 2014.
3.
WHAT TYPE OF PREPARATION DO YOU DO FOR A MANUSCRIPT? DO
YOU PLAN EVERYTHING FIRST OR JUST SHOOT FROM THE HIP?
My first
attempt was to shoot from the hip but when I retired and looked at it seriously
I realised that I had a complete mess and would not appeal to a reader. I was trained
as a project manager and business analyst so using these skills I planned the
story and found many flaws in the plot. I find this is the best way for me to work
and be most productive. I am currently planning the next novel, the sequel to
Inheritance, and using the same process.
4.
WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT
BEING A WRITER?
For
me it is the research on an idea and then building the plot or story line. Then
it’s creating the characters. I have to visualise the person, what they look
like, their moods, their passions, and finally how will they fit in the plot or
story. As it evolves I get a lot of satisfaction a story that is logical,
visually stimulating, and has creditability. I find ideas come to me often. I
may see someone in a café or walking in a mall and an idea enters my head which
when I have a chance write it down. This is most exhilarating.
5.
WHAT IS THE HARDEST THING ABOUT
BEING A WRITER?
For
me it is the editing process and finding the right words that convey my
thoughts in a concise and unambiguous way. To show the reader the action as if
they were there looking on and be part of it all.
6.
WHAT WERE YOU IN A PAST LIFE,
BEFORE YOU BECAME A WRITER?
A
wood machinist, a logistics clerk (RAAF), a business/systems analyst in
government and private enterprise.
7.
WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST WRITING
ACHIEVEMENT?
Finishing my first novel, I loved the process,
the stimulation and creativity.
8.
WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON AT THE
MOMENT?
I
am currently working on the sequel to my first novel Inheritance. It is in the
planning stage at the moment, developing the narrative and synopsis. I look
forward to getting my teeth in the first draft.
9.
WHAT INSPIRES YOU?
The
world is my inspiration. Nature inspires me. I am also a bonsai artist which
helps my creativity. Styling and developing a bonsai allows me to remove the
noise around my thoughts and lets me concentrate, a sort of mediation on my
ideas.
10.
WHAT GENRE DO YOU WRITE?
Fiction is the genre I like to write but I
have Historical Fiction story and a Science Fiction idea, I don’t like reading
science fiction, but it is nagging me so I have to write it. In all have ten
projects or ideas that I want develop as books so I have a lot of work ahead of
me.
11.
DO YOU HAVE ANY TIPS FOR NEW
WRITERS?
If
you have an idea for a book, write it. Don’t waste a minute thinking about it whether
you can do it, and don’t let anyone put you off. It won’t be easy, it’s hard
work but with determination you can do it, and don’t ever give up.
12.
DO YOU SUFFER FROM WRITER’S
BLOCK?
Fortunately,
I don’t suffer from writer’s block it takes all my time to push new ideas to
the back of my mind. I have heard of people having writer’s block, it must be
frustrating. I just have to control my thoughts or I’ll forever be thinking up
ideas but that does not achieve anything if I don’t do the work.
13.
DO YOU HAVE A PREFERRED WRITING
SCHEDULE?
As
a grandparent, gardener, and bonsai artist my writing time is precious. I
normally work in the garden or bonsai in the morning, or go shopping. If we’re
not needed by the grandchildren then around three of an afternoon I sit and write
till five. After dinner, if I’m free, I write from eight thirty to eleven. I, if
the juices are flowing freely, usually manage 1200 to 2000 words in a session.
14.
DO YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE WRITING
PLACE?
We
have an extension called the toy room. The kids are grown up and gone. The
grandchildren use it when they come over. This is the space where I sit at the
desk and with my hand written notes/narrative in front of me and my computer.
My books are in the book self also in front of me so I can access any book for
information I need.
15.
WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST JOY IN
WRITING?
It
is the development of the plot or story line, which I usually work out in my
head before I put pen to paper. I always use a fountain pen and an exercise
book initially, it helps my creative juices, it is excuse and I’m sticking with
it. This is the research period of the time period and location, character
creation, plot progression, and the story flow and events to the ending. This
is invigorating and highly stimulating time for me and after a good days work
I’m exhausted and ready to sleep.
16.
WHO IS YOUR FAVOURITE AUTHOR
AND WHY?
My
favourite Author is Agatha Christie a master of her craft in suspense and
mystery. I ‘try’ to emulate her in my writings and if I can achieve a half of
her ability I will have fulfilled one of my goals.
17.
WHAT’S THE GREATEST COMPLIMENT
YOU EVER RECEIVED FROM A READER?
I
have had two reviews on my first novel ‘Inheritance’.
The
first was from a friend. ‘A bloody good
read’.
Another
from a winner of one of my giveaways said. ‘I won this as a giveaway. I absolutely loved
it. I loved the plot twists. I loved how he named places around Sydney that I
knew and understood. I couldn't put it down.’
A close cousin read the book in three days. ‘I have to read it again because I read it
so fast to get to the end.’
My
friends have told me they have enjoyed it and are looking forward to the
sequel.
18.
WHAT WAS THE WORST COMMENT FROM
A READER?
I
have not had a bad review as yet but no doubt I will.
19.
WRITERS ARE SOMETIMES
INFLUENCED BY THINGS THAT HAPPEN IN THEIR OWN LIVES. ARE YOU?
I
am influenced by all life around me that is my garden from which I take to
sculpture a story.
20.
OTHER THAN WRITING, WHAT ELSE
DO YOU LOVE?
My
other passion is bonsai. Writing and bonsai for me go hand in hand. Bonsai is
an art of illusion much the same as writing fiction. In bonsai I use nature and
my creativity to create a tree in a pot, a story in nature. It can be a forest,
a tree growing on the side of a mountain, a tree that has been subjected to the
forces of nature, and each sculpture has its own story to tell. In writing the story
is a little harder as I have to build a world that has a life with conflicts,
happiness, and sorrow from a single idea. The same creativity hatches my ideas
for my bonsai are the same for my plots and stories.
Just
two bonsai from my collection
21.
DID YOU HAVE YOUR BOOK / BOOKS
PROFESSIONALLY EDITED BEFORE PUBLICATION?
Unfortunately, I could not afford the cost of
a professional editor, not that I begrudge the price because editing is hard
work. In this case did the editing myself with the assistance of my friends but
I admit it is not the same. No doubt people will find errors and let me know in
uncertain terms, the book is out there so I will accept the criticisms. I hope
the next novel I will have the resources to employ a professional editor.
22.
DESCRIBE YOUR PERFECT DAY.
Get up in the morning. If it’s a nice day
spend the morning in the garden or shopping or minding grandchildren. Around
three sit down and write, have dinner and family time, and then write till I go
to bed.
23.
IF YOU WERE STUCK ON A DESERT
ISLAND WITH ONE PERSON, WHO WOULD IT BE? WHY?
The only person and that is my lovely wife.
She is the only one who puts up with me.
24.
WHAT WOULD YOU SAY IF YOU HAD
THE CHANCE TO SPEAK TO WORLD LEADERS?
Talk to each other and work to eliminate the
woes of the poor, and the sick. Have compassion, and treat people like they
would expect people to treat them.
25.
WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR THE
FUTURE?
My plan for the future is to keep writing. At
the moment I have ten projects/books in mind. A trilogy, and a series of
thirteen books, science fiction. So I plan to keep busy in my old age.
26.
WHAT FIVE BOOKS WOULD YOU TAKE
TO HEAVEN?
A
Thousand and One Arabian nights (Anonymous) , Robinson Crusoe (Daniel Defoe),
Tom Sawyer (Mark Twain) from my Alexander Classic Library collection given to
me by mother when I was 8 years old. I would also take The Case of the Missing
Lady (Agatha Christie), Treasure Island (Robert Louis Stevenson), and Terra del
Fuego: Fatal Lodestone (Eric Shipton). These books are my favourites, which I
read time and time again.
27.
DO YOU SEE YOURSELF IN ANY OF
YOUR CHARACTERS?
I am like an actor which in the course of
writing I become each of the characters. I visualise the scenes as if I were
there. I feel the emotions, and as best I can write from a viewpoint that
involves the reader in the events and show the reader the drama of the story.
28.
DOES THE PUBLISHING INDUSTRY
FRUSTRATE YOU?
Yes it does but in saying that they are in
the business of selling so it is understandable they do not take a risk with
unknown authors. In my case, I would have preferred to have a traditional
publisher but being in my sixties I could not wait to be found under the bushel,
especially when there are so many good young writers out there. So I
self-published and took a risk on myself, I have nothing to lose.
29.
DID YOU EVER THINK OF QUITTING?
The word is not in my vocabulary.
30.
WHAT WAS YOUR FAVOURITE
MANUSCRIPT TO WRITE? WHY?
I have only written one novel and two indexes
for bonsai magazines Bonsai Focus and International Bonsai my novel Inheritance
is my favourite so there is not much to compare it with. I spent forty years of
writing in a stop and start cycle till I retired. Then I spent six years
learning the real craft of writing. It was worth the effort when I held the
finished book in my hand.
31.
HOW
WOULD YOU DEFINE ‘SUCCESS’ AS A WRITER.
I achieved my success
as a writer was when I typed ‘THE END’ on the last page before sending the
manuscript off to the printer. The satisfaction of receiving the final product
and the exhilaration I felt as I flicked through the pages.
32.
WHAT SHOULD READERS WALK AWAY
FROM YOUR BOOKS KNOWING? HOW SHOULD THEY FEEL?
This is a
good question and since I am writing for my readers my hope would be that they are
part of the story, they are there in the action. They will love or hate the
characters and be in the emotion of it all.
33.
HOW MUCH THOUGHT GOES INTO
DESIGNING A BOOK COVER?
A book cover
is the first part of the journey for the reader. It has to draw them to the
book. The cover should in some way reflect the theme of the book.
34.
WHAT’S YOUR ULTIMATE DREAM?
My hope is to take
the reader reading my novel on an enjoyable journey. For my non-fiction bonsai
index books they draw knowledge from the pages.
35.
WRITING IS ONE THING. WHAT ABOUT MARKETING
YOU, YOUR BOOKS AND YOUR BRAND? ANY THOUGHTS?
This is a hard
question because I’m not good at marketing myself. I applaud those authors who
are confident enough to show themselves to the world and shine. I’m naturally
shy and do not like pushing my own barrow, but I’m learning, and through this
interview I hope to learn more.
36.
ARE YOUR BOOKS SELF-PUBLISHED?
Yes because of my age I can’t wait around for a traditional publisher to come and present me with a contract. So I’ve decided to do it myself, it is a risk but I’m happy with the progress so far, slowly, slowly one step at a time. If the readers out there enjoy my stories maybe a publisher will take a risk with me. All I want to do is to write. The links for Inheritance:
Paperback
Ebook
37.
DESCRIBE YOURSELF IN FIVE
WORDS.
Pleasant,
Practical,
Imaginative,
Considerate, and
Tenacious.
38.
WHAT PISSES YOU OFF MOST?
Intolerant people who
treat others badly and criticise what others do and yet do the same thing
themselves.
39.
WHAT IS THE TITLE OF THE LAST
BOOK YOU READ? GOOD ONE?
The last historical book
I read was Rome by Robert Hughes. I enjoyed it and if you like history and the
arts then this is good. The last book of fiction was Twisted by Jeffery Deaver,
an excellent book of short stories. I’m currently reading ‘In The Shadow Of The
Sword’ by Tom Holland and so far brilliant.
40.
WHAT
WOULD BE THE VERY LAST SENTENCE YOU’D WRITE?
They sat
at the table; the glasses of red wine tingled as they came together in salute.
She smiled as he put the glass to his mouth and held her breath as she waited.
And then he turned to her and winked. The
End
41.
WHAT WOULD MAKE YOU HAPPIER THAN YOU ARE NOW? CARE TO
SHARE?
I have a loving
family, a great and understanding wife, two children and their partners, and
seven grandchildren, I write, I create bonsai so what more do I need?
42.
ANYTHING YOU’D LIKE TO ADD?
Thank you
Clancy for the opportunity to answer the questions you have posed. I hope I haven’t
been boring in my replies. I’m more than happy to answer your reader’s
questions they wish to ask. I can be contacted on the following social media
networks:
Smashwords
Website
http://angelomifsud.yolasite.com/
Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Angelo-Mifsud/e/B00PH2GT42/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1417485932&sr=1-2-ent
Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Angelo-Mifsud/e/B00PH2GT42/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1417485932&sr=1-2-ent
Clancy's comment: Thank you for sparing the time, Angelo. Keep writing. Loooooove those bonsai. Righteo, folks, get out there and buy Angelo's book for Christmas.
I'm ...
Think about this!
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