Being an Australian I have always been a strong advocate of local talent, especially writers, and count myself lucky to know a few personally. One such local talent is fellow Perth writer Stephanie Gunn, a founding associate editor of Horrorscope and reviewer for ASif (Australian Speculative Fiction in Focus)! Having been in touch with Stephanie over the years through her Livejournal, Facebook and Twitter accounts, she was gracious enough to answer a few interview questions for me! I hope you enjoy this insight into Stephanie’s writing career so far, and are able to take something away from her words of wisdom.
How did you feel the first time you were published? And have subequent publications felt the same?
My first official publication was a piece of flash in AntipodeanSF. I was excited to have the publication, because it felt like a foot in the doorway to the rest of the world of publication. I’ve since been more excited about the pieces that I’ve had in hard copy anthologies. There’s just something in the tactile sensation of holding a book with your printed words in it.
What is your favourite piece of work that you have had published to date?
Probably An Unkindness of Ravens, which was published in Grants Pass (Morrigan Books). I like the piece a lot on its own, but in context with the rest of the anthology, I love it. It was a real honour to be part of that project and to share a table of contents with some other writers I truly admire.
What projects are you currently working on and how’s the progress going?
I’ve mostly been working on two novels – Never and Thought and Memory. Never is in first draft form and Thought and Memory is a novel that I’ve been working on for some years, and has been through many incarnations. Progress is much slower than I’d like (thanks to limitations of illness and caring for a toddler) but it’s steady. I’m also – somewhat uncharacteristically for me – working on a short story at present. I’m not a natural short story writer, but I do keep my eyes out for open anthologies that interest me and inspire me to work in the shorter form.
What authors if any, would you say have influenced you or contributed to your writing style?
I have a huge respect for Catherynne M. Valente, though my style is nowhere as lyrical and poetic as hers. Charles de Lint has always been a massive influence on me, not so much for writing style but in the feel of his worlds and the depth of his characters.
Do you have a writing schedule you try to adhere to?
It shifts and changes as my life outside of writing does. Right now, I try to get writing done for several hours in the early afternoon while my mother watches my son or he naps. When he gives up his naps, things will change again!
What was the best piece of advice related to writing that you’ve recieved and who imparted this information?
I think Stephen King says it well, that in order to be a writer you need to write a lot and read a lot. There’s no way around either of those things.
Do you have any words of wisdom to offer aspiring writers and those interested in the journey to publication?
I think the most important thing is simple persistence. If you want to write – really want to write – then you need to let rejection roll over you. Same for criticism, but you should always look for any kernel of truth that may be in that criticism. This field is going to knock you down and you have to develop a thick skin, but always be open to developing your abilities and learning.
Writer, Stephanie Gunn
You can learn more about Stephanie, her life and her works via her
website, and can purchase her short stories
An Unkindness of Ravens and
Narthex online! Simply follow the links and help support a great local talent! Don’t forget you can also follow her on any one of her social networking sites.
Thank you for visiting! I hope to see you again soon.
