What are the current plans you have in store?
The world is only just getting ready for me as people are beginning to travel again. Up until this point in time I have been staying put, and this has given me the opportunity to conjure up what I would like to do next. I am a work in progress like my book and find there are too many options in the ‘world is my oyster’ scenario. One idea seems too restricting, the next too far-fetched, so I am searching for the middle road to see where it takes me. I will most likely go off on a whim impulsively to somewhere totally unsuitable, which undoubtably ends in a complete disaster although it does give me something to write about. I would love to write all day, every day, but that wouldn’t give me enough time for daydreaming and reading other authors books which is my favourite pastime. As I have recently retired, I have time on my hands, which allows me the freedom to do anything I want, that doesn’t include cooking! (The perks of being single). I am located in Australia in the sunny state of Queensland. I like to travel to far off places delving into other peoples’ worlds. I often think how great it would be to have a full-time occupation as a travel writer so I could do the two things I love doing most. Well there may be three things I like doing the most, but let’s not go there…….for now there are sadly no current plans.
Tell us about your debut, The Life and Times of Angie Bardot?
During lockdown in 2020 I had an idea to dust off my draft copy of part two, Hell Yes. Languishing, it sat idle in the bottom drawer, abandoned for almost two years. Suddenly I had an overwhelming feeling of purpose to finish the book. I listened to myself, which doesn’t happen very often, and spent the better part of 2020 completing my memoir. I enjoyed the experience far more than I had when writing part one, Hell No, because at that stage it was still so very raw. This time I found myself laughing out loud as I read my draft thinking “did I really do that?”
My book made its debut on Valentine’s Day 2021.
The Life and Times of Angie Bardot is about embarking on a journey of self-discovery when a not by choice scenario results in divorce. I take the reader on my four-year journey of ups and downs. I know divorce is not something to be laughed at, although I must admit to wickedly laughing at my own misfortune, so I wrote my book as a dark comedy satire and would be disappointed if my reader didn’t laugh along too -because haven’t we all heard a million times laughter is the best medicine - or better still, if you don’t laugh, you’ll cry? It's not all laughs though.
Being so transparent, writing my story triggered heart wrenching emotion not only for me, but for those who had or were walking the same well-trodden path. Because of my honesty and openness, my story resonated powerfully, inspiring others who were also struggling to find their own shallow ground and move forward.
What made you decide to write a memoir? Did you find it hard to write about your own life? Were there any challenges when writing about real situations? Was it hard to decide what to include?
When my 36-year marriage failed I found myself thrown into the singles arena without any knowledge of how to navigate my way through. The many pitfalls I experienced ranged from misery to mayhem with lots of laughter in between. I learnt the thing one must never lose sight of is their sense of humour!
It dawned on me that my predicament, although all too common, was still unique. That was the pivotal point where I changed from ranting mode to writing mode. I decided I had a real story I wanted to share with people who I referred to as ‘dumped, and over the hill’, who in turn would come to know me as a tragically endearing, gullible beyond belief twit, with a deep-seated desire to become a sex goddess. My book wasn’t really about divorce. Divorce was just the beginning of a consequence of events that followed.
On one hand I found it easy to write about my personal life because the words just poured out in an unstoppable stream. It felt good to release my thoughts and make them into words, sentences, and paragraphs without holding back. Before I knew it, I had unveiled myself to reveal brutal raw unabashed honesty, that even surprised me.
But… On the other hand, the difficulty I experienced was because the story was so personal and that became a challenge. I was aware that my behaviour wasn’t acceptable to even myself, so the best way of overcoming any embarrassment was to write under a pseudonym giving me the freedom of expression without worrying what people might think. Having anonymity allowed me to tell my story as a “no holds barred” real portrayal, which enticed people to make their individual and differing judgement regarding my behaviour.
My openness in telling the story is thought provoking which aligns seamlessly with either the readers past or present experience, triggering a reaction they can relate to.
I didn’t tell everything though. I had to be mindful not to overshare. I didn’t have a filter, because if it happened or was happening, I would tell you. Why wouldn’t I tell you? It came across as me being too honest for my own good, although I prefer to say I was perhaps a tad naive at what should and shouldn’t be disclosed. That was a challenge to find my middle ground.
Have you always wanted to be a writer/author?
I didn’t think my writing skills would take me anywhere past the monthly school newsletter when the kids were growing up, or the odd speech, poem, or letter to someone. I always had a flair for the written word. I would like to think that this undiscovered talent lay dormant waiting for a catastrophe to occur in my life, to then come out as a potent tirade of words which didn’t need air to breathe, so it was completely unstoppable once it began.
It’s almost like I went along for the ride, and upon reading it back, I would think to myself “Did I really write that? Did I really say that?” I don’t know where the words came from, but I know the reason, because I could no longer stay quiet. I had to get it all out. I think that’s how a writer/author feels - the story must be told, or I will combust!
When I first started writing about what I was experiencing I wrote and wrote and wrote as it felt cathartic when the words flowed out onto paper (well, not exactly paper, but you know what I mean). I would describe it as random thoughts at the beginning, which is evident in my deranged writing style of the first few chapters. However, inspiration did strike like a brick, when it hit me that my predicament, although all too common, was quite unique because everybody is different even if they are going through the same thing as you. I think that’s why I have my own writing style…. apparently.
Have COVID and lockdowns changed your writing goals - either inspired you to write more (or start writing!), or negatively?
Covid had a bearing on my mood for writing. I should have continued from where my current story ended. “Hell on the CaminO” was to be the next part of my book after Hell No and Hell Yes. Unfortunately, those chapters are yet to be created.
During lockdown I felt quite isolated living on my own. I didn’t think I had anything worth writing about as the world had been thrown on its head and people were in turmoil. Simply put, I felt it wasn’t the right time for me to express my life and how I lived it as there were so many people affected in different ways. It almost seemed frivolous for me to write about myself. Now, as with the passing of time with the world trying to get back to normal, I will endeavour to catch up and write about my life again, and with one chapter for every month I’d better get a start on!
What have people's reactions been when you tell them that you are an author?
I don’t mention my book openly so I cannot gauge people’s reactions. That is the downside of having a pen name to keep anonymity. The reactions I see have been from reviews on Amazon.
Interestingly men and women are equally complimentary and interested in my story. I would have thought because of the ‘serve’ I dish out towards my X, it might have caused a back lash, but so far so good. I am pleased when I know I have helped someone just a little with what they are going through.
What is your favourite thing about being an author? What have been your favourite or more proud moments so far?
I don’t have a favourite thing, although a proud moment for me was when I published my first book in 2017 under my then pen name of Angie White (Did I know it was the name of a porn star?) I do like Angie Bardot, and I did some proper research this time. Even with the pen name, it was a very proud moment for me as I felt empowered.
What is one of your favourite quotes from your book?
“Oh wow, this is what it feels like to not give a damn..”
Have you learnt anything from feedback from your readers and would you do anything differently in future because of it?
The surprising thing I learnt is that men have an interest in my story! This was something I didn’t expect until I received some wonderful feedback. Maybe in the future I should be kinder to men when I write about them…… maybe!
What is your writing desk like? (if you have one!)
Desk? What desk? I use my trusty laptop, poor thing the way I put it through the paces when I am on a roll banging on the keys non-stop. Usually, I sit on my old couch with the laptop on my lap. I live in a small unit, so I didn’t bring my roller desk with me as it was quite cumbersome. I put my feet up on my coffee table under a pillow and have some classical music playing in the background. It’s as good as a desk, and hey, no messy stacks of paper and the like. I think I may have turned into a minimalist since moving into my cramped quarters.
Do you have a writing routine, is it structured with set time aside to write, or more random, when inspiration strikes?
The inspiration to write had well and truly set in bringing with it a calm methodical approach. I keep a notebook by the bed in case I come up with one of my scathingly brilliant ideas in the middle of the night. I can be asleep, suddenly wake up for no apparent reason, write down an idea that has sprung to mind, and go back to sleep. In the morning I have no recollection of this apparent idea if it wasn’t for the scribble in my notebook. The challenge is to read the scribble I have written! Can I still call myself an organized author with a routine if I can’t read my own writing?
Why did you decide to go self-published? What was the process like? Any lessons learned that you'd like to share?
That is a great question as I would have done so many things differently, if only I had the insight and wisdom. My attempt to self-publish with the help of a professional team was like a Faulty Towers episode. I thought if I paid a publishing house to bring my book to fruition it would in fact be done efficiently. Nine months later with only the substantive edit completed I realized I had made a bad judgement. The layout had the body of text not lining up to match the pages. The artist designed the front cover with the wrong name on the book. It was at that stage I thought of publishing a book called “How Not to Publish Your Book”.
I always put it down to “this could only happen to me”.
I took matters into my own hands and completed my book using someone I knew, my daughter, who I didn’t want to bother and who I had to fess up to, about getting my book professionally created by a team of experienced people who couldn’t deliver what they promised. Of course, she did it in spit spot time without causing me grief. She did however come up with a more fitting name for my book, The Life and Times of a Pain in the Arse. Perhaps I may have caused her a tiny bit of grief. Having a publisher in another country is probably in hindsight not the best idea. Luckily, I have found another publisher who is only 10 minutes from my door. See, I am learning.
The single stand out thing I should have known was to educate myself about the world of self-publishing which is still a work in progress and a huge learning curve as there is so much to being a successful Indie Author. It’s not enough to just write a great book. I need to promote myself and find a way through the maze so my audience can find me and that is the part I dislike the most because it can feel overwhelming when you know you are somewhere out there lost in the maze of millions. What I do like is the camaraderie of other Indie Authors who are supportive and willing to share their knowledge so freely, I want to buy all their books to show my support so consequently I have a huge to be read pile awaiting my attention. Is it any wonder I haven’t had time to start my next written work? I am too busy reading other peoples published works.
What's the best piece of advice you've ever received? (Either about writing or just life in general!)
When it comes to my book: It’s not a race, it’s a marathon My tip is don’t be in a hurry. At the beginning of my first launch, I was so focused on pre-orders that I got myself all worked up about the immediate “now” and didn’t see or focus on the benefits of the long-haul marketing process. There is time to reach your target market. Once the initial buzz has settled a good long term marketing strategy can be set in place. We as writers, and we above anyone else, must invest in our belief, which is believing in ourselves and the quality of our work.
Life in general: I have received a lot of good advice from well-meaning people. The good thing is I usually forget what people have advised me in no time at all. Maybe I should work on having a better memory and retaining good advice. Now there’s a thought.
If you could choose a famous person to read your book and leave a review, who would it be and why?
I would ask Julia Roberts to read and review my book because she was the main character in the movie Eat Prey Love, which was based on a true story about a relationship breakdown where the protagonist goes on a journey searching for happiness and re-discovery. I feel Julia would have empathy and insight.
If you could only read one book for the rest of your life which book would it be?
The book would have to be Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy as there are almost a thousand pages and I am only halfway through after a year of reading it on and off. I think by the time I finally finish I will need to go back and re-read it to remember what the stories about. Unless I improve that memory of mine. Then I could get through my ‘to be read’ pile and have more time to write my own next chapters! If I did re-read just one book and not get tired of doing so, then I would choose A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towels for the sheer joy of reading the Old English style Amor wrote it in. I found the book thoroughly enchanting.
What question have you not been asked that you wish had been asked – and what’s the answer?
No one has asked if I walked the Camino and if I did, did I complete the journey. I mention this as something I am going to do at the end of my last book.
The answer is yes. I did walk the Camino and I completed the journey by walking every step of the way in true Angie style.