Interview Kev Richardson
by
Daphne Olivier
1) Have you had other books published, and if so can you tell us a bit about them?
Gurrewa tells the founding of white Australia. Brogan is first of a trio set in Australia’s outback. In Brogan’s Bust he falls foul of the South American mafia. Synopses of all my works can be read on www.kev-richardson.com
2) In which genre do you usually write?
I’ve used two. Five of my books either published or contracted for 2008 and 2009 release are historical fiction--all on Australia’s convict beginnings. My Brogan trio are adventure tales with true historical slants.
3) What inspired you write Brogan’s Bella?
I so enjoyed writing two books in the Brogan series, I wanted another; also I had a close feel for Vietnam’s history and wanted to tell that story; and a particular lady in my life was such a strong character that I wanted to mirror her in a fiction. All those wants come together in Brogan’s Bella.
4) Is the setting for your novel inspired by where you live, or places you’ve travelled?
Absolutely. Being a travel journalist there have been many parts of the world that lent themselves as settings for my characters to ‘act’ in. And all my characters are people I’ve known--this makes it easier to keep them true to character type.
5) How long did it take you to complete this book?
A month or two to draft, then six or more for persistent re-editing.
6) Do you regulate your writing time, and if so, how many hours a day do you write?
I write when inspiration hits, be it 2am or 2pm. Sometimes I sit at the keyboard for 30 of the next 36 hours snatching nibbles from the fridge to satisfy the inner hunger. Sometimes, when the brain stops whirring, I take a day or a week off so I can catch up with the rest of my life.
7) Where do you find your story ideas?
From places I’ve been, people I’ve known, personal experiences and unrealised dreams.
8) Where do you find your background material?
Mostly experience. Or when history is the basis of your work, the internet can fill frustrating gaps.
9) Are your books plot or character driven?
I aim at both. In my historical books, characters are drawn from research on the real people involved--I contribute personality as I picture the roads their thoughts must have travelled. Or if research indicates it, I install in the role, people I’ve known.
10) How long have you been writing?
Since editor of my school rag I guess. But I was so busy carving a business career most of my life, I couldn’t even start feeding the writing-monkey on my back until taking early retirement.
11) Do you write from an outline or do you just write as inspiration strikes?
I always plot--sometimes backwards. Business taught me that an end-goal is the target of all successful projects. Sometimes it gets difficult, like when characters insist on taking their own course. I usually, then, let them have their way.
12) Tell us something about your current WIP?
Rehashing a great tale that Wings rejected--I made the dreadful mistake of thinking that because I scored 5-Star review ratings on my previous two books, that I could cut corners on things like character study and meaningful sub-plots.
13) Do you have any words of advice for aspiring authors?
Aren’t we all aspiring? I can only advise what I feel inside… Believe in yourself but make sure your story is credibly told. Believe in your characters; they must be as real in life as you see yourself.