Interview with Steven Rafter [stevenrafter]

Steven Rafter [stevenrafter]

WRITING

What did you first read? How did you begin to write? Who were the first to read what you wrote?

The Diary of Anne Frank was the first book I remember reading. I was only about ten years of age. It had a profound influence on me and how I lead my life. Not even so much from the religious aspect - more from a humanity position. I began with a love of words and making lists of words, which were intelligent and challenging. I would write many letters to my friends over the years - the paper kind - and I think my writing really developed from there.

What is your favorite genre? Can you provide a link to a site where we can read some of your work or learn something about it?

Favourite Genre depends on how I feel at the time. To limit oneself to one genre is to miss the pure magic of the writing/reading and the process behind it. Link for 209 A Story... http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=DXnzF7WD6SMC or www.209astory.com or review of launch at http://www.deesidepiper.co.uk/news/Balmoral-hosts-a-novel-occasion.5111995.jp

What is your creative process like? What happens before sitting down to write?

Creative Process... hmmmm... lots of reading... funnily enough - the ideas come from odd places - like articles I read in the Australian Finanical Review... the real life drama produced by this paper is the most understated story of it's time! I go for long walks and take time to really see what is around me. I MEAN REALLY SEE WHAT IS AROUND ME...

What type of reading inspires you to write?

I like the classics very much... it's the look to the past to see the future deal...

What do you think are the basic ingredients of a story?

humour to be funny sadness to be feeling characters to be real words to be amazing it is like a jigsaw puzzle... put together correctly - it creates a perfect picture.

What has been your experience with publishers?

Vivid (Fontaine Press) in Perth Western Australia have been fantastic. Very help and I could not have been more fortunate to find Publishers more helpful.

What are you working on now?

Following the launch at Balmoral Castle in Scotland for '209 A Story' - I am working with the team for the Austrlian Launch at the National Gallery of Victoria on the 15th April - which coincides with the sinking of RMS Titanic. As the story is about the only Australian who was aboard the ship in 1912 - it appears an appropriate date... Then it's off to the USA for the American Launch - I was delighted to hear that 209 A Story is the first novel in print to make reference to the President and Mrs Obama. Hope to get to give the copy in person - but I will have to leave that one up to hand of destiny. IN terms of writing - there are two things, on which I am working. Firstly, I am completing the sequel to 209 A Story and secondly - I am working on a collection of short stories... even I must admit - I think they are very clever...

What do you recommend I do with all those things I wrote years ago but have never been able to bring myself to show anyone?

burn them!! tee hee!

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Steven Rafter [stevenrafter]
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