About Bronwyn Elsmore:
Bronwyn is New Zealand born and bred and though she’s travelled a lot she’s “very much a Kiwi”.
Over her writing career she has published over a wide range of genres – fiction and non-fiction books for adults and children, short stories, articles, poetry, and stage plays – but she is now concentrating on novels. She has won many writing awards, particularly for short stories and plays.
Home is on the outskirts of Auckland, New Zealand’s largest city, overlooking the beautiful Waitemata Harbour, where she tends to spend too much time at her desk rather than getting into the garden or enjoying the area. When her novels hit the best-seller lists and make mega-bucks, she plans to employ an assistant to deal with all the additional tasks that take her away from the creative side of being an author.
Other pastimes are going for walks, and appreciating cats. You can tempt her by offering a cup of good coffee, but if you really want to impress her, buy one of her books.
What inspires you to write?
I’ve been a professional writer since leaving school, when I was employed in radio. Over my career I’ve been an advertising copywriter, freelancer, contract writer, editor, education writer, playwright, writing mentor and tutor, and an academic writer during the years I was also an academic.
Writing is my job, and I could say that fact provides inspiration enough. But it’s more than that. Writing has always been my passion. I find it very creative, and the more I involve myself in such creativity the more I’m inspired.
Tell us about your writing process.
Since I’ve tackled almost every genre, I’ve altered my approach accordingly. Plays, for instance, need to be well planned and controlled, with the movement suited to the length and dramatic effect. For plays, novels, even short stories, prior notes on setting, time, and characters are really essential in order to produce a coherent and effective result. An author can let inspiration flow and write in a less controlled fashion, but when the first draft is done it’s time to examine the work critically. Reshaping, reworking, refining is essential for any piece or genre.
For Fiction Writers: Do you listen (or talk to) to your characters?
Oh, yes indeed. If characters are real to me, we’ll be having a dialogue throughout. Sometimes I try to tell them what to do – after all, I am the writer and I should be able to direct them, as the director of a stage play or film directs actors. But often they have other ideas. They might dig their toes in, or show me another way the scene can be played out. That’s great when it happens because together we should get it right.
What advice would you give other writers?
Work, work, work, work.
When you think it is done, rewrite, rewrite, rewrite.
Then, polish, polish, polish.
Okay, I know that sounds excessive, but that’s the reality if you want a good result.
Don’t be in a hurry to publish.
How did you decide how to publish your books?
I’ve gone through both routes. I have 10 books and most were published by traditional publishers. For the most recent three, I set up my own imprint. I am not against going along the traditional route – I have a good relationship with a publisher who still handles my earlier non-fiction titles. But independent publishing gives me freedom to produce my fiction works as I wish, and allows them to be priced more reasonably.
What do you think about the future of book publishing?
I’m sure book publishing has a bright future. More people seem to be reading more than ever, and that’s a great thing. The view of ‘book’ may well expand – it already now includes e-books and audio books. Who know what might be next, but bring it on!
What do you use?: Professional Editor, Professional Cover Designer, Beta Readers
What genres do you write?: At present, literary fiction – novels and short stories. I hope readers find them uplifting, moving, humorous.
What formats are your books in?: Both eBook and Print
Website(s)
Bronwyn Elsmore Home Page Link
Link To Bronwyn Elsmore Page On Amazon
Your Social Media Links
Goodreads
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
All information in this post is presented “as is” supplied by the author. We don’t edit to allow you the reader to hear the author in their own voice.
