1. What inspired you to write the prose poem/microfiction which is published in Stoned Crows & other Australian icons?
Inspiration for Howbeit I Howszat came from Melbourne’s Spring Racing Carnival 2013 at the time of writing to Stoned Crows.
2.Tell us about your process. Take us through an example if you want.
My thought process is lateral. I definitely research. I do a lot of editing. I work intuitively, although it’s not pure as such. My hunches over-indulge in conspiracy.
3. What advice do you have for other writers ? about the first or last line? About how to choose the title? Do you follow any rules?
None… I don’t consider myself a writer.
Note: I include some background that may or may not be relevant.
For 20-years I’d an studio architectural practice in New Zealand & so also wrote specifications, during which I did architectural competitions, practical [winner gets commission ] & theoretical [winner & also ran get prestige for future clients ].
Architecture has a story. Its blurb is the written brief. Architect as narrator flushes it out into a story. The architect’s POV is restricted by the aim to satisfy the client, who controls the plot & much of the themes & dialogue.
Practical architecture comes with a brief & so the above allegory applies, but theoretical architecture is more arbitrary in every respect, so my technical writing branched into writing briefs etc. as both architect & client.
Cut to the chase: my business failed after years of highs & lows such is the bust & boom building industry & I’d gone off on a tangent of conspiracy architecture.
I moved to Australia in 1997 & concentrating on theoretical architecture, over the last few years I started entering writing competition & submitting to writing outlets, furthering the above storyboard.
As to you question: first & last lines are important, as is the title & everything else; like a plan evolves from concept, thru sketches to working drawing & then into the built world with refinement throughout.
4. Who or what inspires your writing?
I’ve always read both fact & fiction & continue to do so. Like there’s a lot good & some great buildings about with much dross, so is literature – I include all popular genres in this, as that’s where most of my favourite writers are classified.
5. Tell us what you do if you haven’t written anything in a while and you want to get started writing again? Could you share your favourite writing exercise with our readers?
I’ve no answer to this question. Don’t give up is seems too obtuse
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