Interview with Geoff Hughes
Published 2013-09-05.
Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?
I grew up in Sydney, Australia in the 1960s. I have an older sister who was right in the thick of the social change happening all around us, so it was an interesting time to be a little kid, seeing the 1960s through older siblings eyes. It was a much more innocent time. I enjoy trying to create a sense of place with my writing and the sheer variety of geography in Sydney helped with that. You've got a major city surrounded by beaches and harbours, rivers, mountains and national parks. I'll always be a Sydney boy even though I haven't lived there for over 25 years.
When did you first start writing?
When I was a kid. I've always been writing short stories. I can remember being sick for a few weeks when I was 11 or 12. I borrowed my big sisters typewriter and wrote a riff on Ian Flemings 'You Only Live Twice' - which was my hands down favourite James Bond book.
What's the story behind your latest book?
Beautiful Lies is an anthology of short stories I've been working on for quite a while. I love the short story format, creating a mood with a few pages or just setting up characters I hope readers want to find out what happens next to. I've already started developing one of the shorts into a full length novel.
What motivated you to become an indie author?
I've been thinking about it for quite a long while. I blog on writing and ePublishing and thought it was time I walked the walk and looked at my own writing habits. Writers write. I thought time to stop talking about it and do it.
How has Smashwords contributed to your success?
Well, early days so far! Smashwords does offer an incredible platform for new writers.
What is the greatest joy of writing for you?
When you get in the zone and scenarios seem to write themselves. I have a routine where I write 500 words every morning. I'm always amazed at where the writing goes. I always start thinking I cant get 500 words today, and within 30 minutes and a bit of a trance have it nailed. I enjoy how the deeper you get into a book, plots and subplots seem to suggest themselves after a while. It's a mysterious, alchemic process.
What are you working on next?
one of the short stories in Beautiful Lies is called The Sentinel. I'm working on turning that into a sci fi novel set in 1940s Australia, current and 2047 Japan. I'm very excited about it.
Who are your favorite authors?
Without a doubt Peter Carey is my favourite Australian writer, even though he lives in New York these days. He has a playful sense of magic realism which I admire. I'm a fan of crime fiction, Raymond Chandler is the master but also Elmore Leonard for the wonderful dialogue that just sparks off the page. I'm also a big fan of Mirakami. IQ84 being the most extraordinary book I've yet read.
When you're not writing, how do you spend your time?
I manage my ePublishing business madhouseMEDIA and blog about writing and indie publishing. You can visit here: http://www.madhousemedia.com.au/blog/
Smashwords Interviews are created by the profiled author or publisher.
Books by This Author
How To Write An Ebook In Only 30 Days
by Geoff Hughes
(5.00 from 2 reviews)
Geoff Hughes puts down the challenge to anyone who has every wanted to write a book but can't find the time to get on with it. You can write an eBook in only 30 days if you follow this day by day motivational guide. Take the 30 day challenge!
Geoff Hughes is the author of Beautiful Lies and regularly blogs on writing and motivation and independent publishing at www.madhousemedia.com.au/blog