FAQ

When did you start to write?

I’ve always loved to write but to be honest, I didn’t think of myself as a ‘writer’ until I managed the feat of completing the first draft of The Telling Time: this was on June 13th 2018. I know this because earlier that year, my youngest son, Hamish, set me a challenge to have written my book by his birthday. I cut it fine but I did it! Little did I know how many drafts there would still be to follow . . . 

As a youngster, I loved writing stories. In my late teens, I kept a diary (cringe-worthy when I look back now!) and when travelling I wrote detailed diaries. Letters were a way to keep family and friends updated while at university and overseas (before email and social media were a thing). I learnt recently from a younger cousin that it was my travel epistles that inspired him to set off on his own travels.   

Was there a turning point when writing The Telling Time?

YES. My acceptance into the University of Auckland Masters of Creative Writing programme. Dr Paula Morris insisted that Gabrijela’s story must be told. Her belief in this story and her astute guidance gave me the impetus to back myself and most importantly, to carry on writing.

How much research do you do?

I spend a lot of time gathering information: from books, movies, videos and from talking to people. Historical novels live and die on the detail and as a perfectionist by nature it was important for me to get this right. My travel diaries were helpful for details, particularly my impressions as a twenty-something first time traveller. My research happened throughout the writing process, not just at the start and even once the novel was edited I was still questioning some small facts: see my blog on Pomegranates — a case of mistaken identity, for further details . . .

What sort of novels do you love/hate?

There are so many novels I love and very few that I dislike. I generally don’t choose to read horror but the main reason I wouldn’t continue with a book would be if it was poorly written. I love historical fiction and women’s fiction. I love books where I learn something new and am forced to think about a moral dilemma or to ask myself questions. I belong to a book group and I love discussing books and characters. I guess The Telling Time fits within the genres I love the most.  

Where and when do you write?

I took over my eldest son’s bedroom when he left home. It’s on the sunny side of the house and has a beautiful view over the garden. The windows are the type that concertina back and so on sunny days it doesn’t feel like I’m stuck inside, rather I’m able to crane my neck and look up to One Tree Hill. At times I feel like a lizard basking in the sun. The only downside is that it’s a small room and I’m not very good at tidying things away but it’s a place where I feel comfortable and it seems to give me great creative energy.

With regards to when I write, I try to keep to a routine of being at my desk to start writing by 11:00 am, once I’ve gone for a walk and got my jobs out of the way. When I first started taking writing seriously I would often be at my desk by 6:00 am — not because I’m naturally a morning person but because I had the job of transporting my son to rowing training — this period was beneficial to my word count but I’m pleased it’s now over! Writing later in the day works just fine for me.  

Why did you set The Telling Time in Yugoslavia?

My inspiration to start writing a novel snuck up on me from behind. It happened when I signed up for a short introductory course in creative writing at Auckland’s Creative Hub. As part of this course we were asked to come up with an idea for a novel. ‘Inspiration might come from looking back on your own timelines,’ said our tutor, John Cranna. ‘Pick out influential moments and examine them for potential.’

And so, I cast my mind back to 1989 when I first travelled through Yugoslavia. At the time I had known very little about this country but it had a lasting impact. It was a country of contrasts that stuck with me: the history of Sarajevo, the beauty of Dubrovnik, and the backwardness of Macedonia. I was back in London in 1991 when the civil war broke out. I felt devastated for Yugoslavia and its people. It dawned on me what a precipice the country must have been balancing on when my girlfriend and I had travelled through. It dawned on me how some of the decisions we made could have led us into serious trouble. Fuelling these thoughts were the stories from friends in Auckland whose parents had immigrated here from Croatia. Gradually I came to appreciate how this immigrant group have played their part in shaping New Zealand’s recent history: the kauri gum diggers, horticulturalists, winemakers, stonemasons, fishermen, artists and sports stars amongst them. From this collection of ideas my imagination twisted and turned, taking all sorts of tangents — The Telling Time is the result.  

What’s your advice to anyone who wants to be an author?

First up, make a pact with yourself to keep writing. The idea is the easy part the harder part is to keep going. Set yourself a routine and try to add to your word count each day — push on, don’t fall into the trap of editing the same words over and over. Surround yourself with experts, seek out the best advice and learn the craft of writing. Share your work with people who can guide you and give astute feedback. Know that you will feel disheartened — it seems this is a given — don’t give up, stick to your job, and keep trying new ideas until the solutions come. Believe in yourself but understand that it takes hard work and sometimes a shot of serendipity. For me, it has been my most rewarding project yet. Good luck!