Topic: Author Interview
Yvonne Eve Walus the person:
1. What three words do you think describe you as a human being?
Mother, writer, friend. Relationships with other people are central to how I define myself.
2. How do you think others would describe you?
Organised, reserved with strangers, bossy with everybody else.
3. Please tell us what you are most passionate about outside of writing.
A long-term project called parenting. I used to think that only boring women with no ambition devote their time and effort to their children. I was wrong.
4. Do you have any pets? If so, introduce us to them.
A gorgeous 19-year old Siamese-cross who talks a lot, eats only baked chicken breast and owes her long-life to a daily "magic pill" that sustains her renal functions.
5. What is your most precious memory?
Of falling in love with my children. Clichéd but true.
6. What is your most embarrassing memory?
Being told there is a typo in "Murder @ Work".
7. If you weren't a writer, what would you be doing with your life?
I'd get more than 5 hours sleep a night, I'd read more books and I'd dream about being a writer.
8. In two paragraphs or less write your obituary.
I cannot write my own, but sources attribute this one to Mary Frye: Do not stand at my grave and weep / I am not there; I do not sleep / I am a thousand winds that blow / I am the diamond glints on snow / I am the sun on ripened grain / I am the gentle autumn rain / When you awaken in the morning's hush / I am the swift uplifting rush / Of quiet birds in circled flight / I am the soft stars that shine at night / Do not stand at my grave and cry / I am not there; I did not die.
Yvonne Eve Walus the writer:
9. Can you describe the time you realized you were indeed a "real" writer?
I don't think it'll ever sink it. Even when I win the Orange Fiction Prize or make the New York Times Top Ten, I'll still be thinking: "This is great advertising, but...".
10. What is going on with your writing these days?
I'm editing an old manuscript for Echelon Press, hopefully Karen will accept it as a prequel to "Murder @ Work".
11. What are your future goals for your writing?
The most immediate goal is to write a book set in my native Poland.
12. Can you describe a typical writing day for you?
My typical writing day starts when the children have gone to bed and my work-for-money work is done and the household chores have been ignored. Usually that's 10pm at the earliest.
13. Why do you write?
Because it's fun? Because I can? Because I have all these words that need out?
14. What writer most inspires you?
Lionel Shriver Why? Her observation skills of the human psyche are spot-on, and she's not afraid to tackle challenging issues. Her "We need to talk about Kevin" is a masterpiece treaty on how parents shape their children's future.
15. How do you define your writing?
That's an excellent question. And the answer is: I don't know.
16. In one sentence-what do you want people to say about your writing in fifty years?
"Astonishing! Writing about sex at her age!" No, seriously, if they say I touched their hearts or made them think, that would be the greatest compliment of all. I want my books to stay with people. I want to make lives happier and the world better through my writing.
Yvonne Eve Walus the details:
17. Can you tell us where to find more information on you? Website?
http://yewalus.kiwiwebhost.net.nz/
Blog? http://yewalus.blogspot.com/
18. Is there a place where readers can reach you?
Email me (the address is on the website) and I will be happy to arrange a chat.
19. Can you list all your book titles so people can look for them?
1. "Erato", a poetry anthology published by Pipers Ash, UK, 2007;
2. "Interview with a Dragon", Echelon Press, USA, July 2007;
3. "Small Price To Pay", Echelon Press, USA, February 2007;
4. "Murder @ A Little Bead Shop", Echelon Press, USA, December 2006;
5. "Sex Lies and Here Be Dragons", a SF anthology, Pipers Ash, 2006;
6. "Atlantic Pacific Indian - The Three Oceans", an anthology of contemporary short stories, Pipers Ash, 2006;
7. "Exposed!", a poetry anthology, Pipers Ash, 2006;
8. "Murder @ Work", Echelon Press, USA, November 2004.
9. "NOT Porn!", a poetry anthology published by Pipers Ash, UK, August 2004;
10. "Love Kills", a poetry anthology published by Pipers Ash, UK, September 2002;
11. "NoWhen", a science fiction anthology published by Pipers Ash, UK, July 2002;
12. "NeverWhen", a science fiction anthology published by VirtualVolumes, May 2000;
13. "Poets of the Season" 1999, published by Pipers Ash, UK, January 1999;
14. "Writers of the Future" 1999, published by Pipers Ash, UK, January 1999;
15. "Authors of our Times" 1999, published by Pipers Ash, UK, January 1999;
16. "The Butler did it", a detective novel, published by Writers Web Press (WWW), January 1998;
17. "A Pillow Book", a collection of 62 poems, published by Pipers Ash, UK, September 1997;
18. "Adultery for Women", a collection of 11 contemporary short stories, published by Pipers Ash, UK, August 1997;
19. "Daughters of a Distant Dream", a collection of 10 science fiction short stories, published by Pipers Ash, UK, April 1997.
20. For new readers-what can they expect when they read your book(s)?
I write romance, crime fiction, poetry and speculative fiction. Expect subtle humour, controversial topics, a conversational style, but most of all - a damned good read.
In conclusion:
21. Take as much space as necessary to speak to our readers-what would you like them to know about you and your writing?
Yvonne Eve Walus is a member of the X generation. Born in the communist Poland, she grew up in the apartheid-time South Africa and now lives in New Zealand, which (when compared to Yvonne's two previous countries) doesn't seem to have too many political problems.
Although writing has always been a big part of her identity, Yvonne obtained a PhD in Mathematics and currently works for an innovative education company as a project manager, business analyst and trouble-shooter.
Her books have been published in the States and the United Kingdom. In 2004, Yvonne made headlines by winning 1st, 2nd and 3rd places at the international SFSA short story competition.
PS: That was my official biography. Phew! Here is another one, that has been accused of being flippant and unprofessional: Yvonne Eve Walus is a mathematician, a poet, a wife, a mother and a fake feminist - not necessarily in that order. During the day, she works for a progressive education company. At night, she loves reading (Elisabeth Berg, Agatha Christie, Minette Walters, Nick Hornby), playing bridge and German board games. Sometimes she goes into shady Internet sites - for research purposes only, of course. Other than that, her life is pretty mundane and sleep-deprived. Like Terry Pratchett, Yvonne believes that the world could do with more orang-utans. And dolphins. And whales. Her other likes include the colour blue, milk chocolate, cats, sleeping and scuba diving in tropical locations. Her favourite own book is "Murder @ Work", in which she killed her least favourite boss.
Yvonne's lived on three continents and her work reflects the wealth of her cultural background.
