Interview - Ted Hughes
Tēnā koe e hoa, welcome Ted and thank you for speaking with us. How has your collaboration been working with Hinemura on your latest project?
Fantastic! What an inspiring Wahine to work with. Her comedic talents and unique insights have been a revelation for me. I’m hugely excited with the whole Trinity Trilogy project and where it’s heading.
What inspires you to write?
Hopefully what I write inspires other people to break free of the mundanity of their fragmented lives and that it brings a smile to their face and perhaps a new perspective and hope in this crazy world.
What makes this particular genre you are involved in so special?
A romantic comedy is completely outside of my comfort zone so I find it a real challenge and the process involves uncovering different sides to my personality.
How important is research to you when writing a book?
Hugely important as to make fiction believable there has to be some basis in reality so that the reader can identify with the story line.
When did it dawn upon you that you wanted to be a writer?
IN my teens after reading some particularly poorly written novels and thinking surely I can do better than this.
How often do you write?
Spasmodically as I always find life throws a spanner in the works.
What works best for you: Typewriters, fountain pen, computer or longhand?
Computers because my handwriting is so atrocious, I could never read it.
A common misconception entwined with authors is that they are socially inept, how true is that?
It depends on which author you meet. And in what social setting. The creative process can be so overwhelming that the social niceties are often overlooked.
Do all authors have to be grammar Nazis?
IN my opinion, NO. Their message is far more important and a good editor and proof reader can massage the best text to make it flow.
Do you proofread and edit your work on your own or pay someone to do it for you?
I pay someone to do it as I don’t have time for the grammatical niceties. Maybe someday there will be an app for that.
What do you enjoy outside of writing?
My photography, the natural world, and reading a good damn book and listening to an eclectic range of music.
What, according to you, is the hardest thing about writing?
Starting. But once I get going, try and stop me. I find it hard to stop.
Have you ever left any of your books to stew for months on end or even a year?
Sometimes years on end. I have a number of unfinished works in progress.
What is your take on the importance of a good cover and title?
This is one of the crucial aspects of writing a book is coming up with a title that grabs your attention and a cover that captures the eye.
Do your novels carry a message?
Yes, they certainly do. Try not to take life so seriously, because ‘life is for living’ and don’t get too caught up in the detail.
Did you ever think you would be unable to finish your first collaborative novel?
So many times. Sometimes the conflict of ideas of how characters and plot lines progress within my own mind let alone someone else’s can leave you wondering how to pull the whole thing together. However, a bit of perspective, and the occasional bottle of bubbles can do wonders and to bring some humour back to the situation.
Is there anything you are currently working on that may intrigue the interest of your readers?
Yes, I’m very excited to be working with Hinemura on Book 2 and 3. My goodness Clara comes out of her shell!
Did any of your books get rejected by publishers?
Yes, often. That’s why I like the self-publishing route with a little help from the Bach Doctor Press.
Anything else you would like to add?
Yes, after attending a New Zealand Society of Author’s (NZSA) meeting at the beginning of the year and hearing Karyn Hay’s stories, ‘it’s self-publish or be damned’ meaning don’t wait for some overseas publisher to pick your novel up, get it out to the public and see what the true reading public really thinks.
Nga mihi nui, thank you for your time and good luck with your upcoming book launch.
