The member of the month is:
1.Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Lansdowne, a working-class suburb, nestling on the backdrop of Table mountain and Devil's Peak, in Cape Town, South Africa.
2.What is the first thing you remember that perked your interest in writing?
Sitting at the kitchen table and listening as my brother who was in grade 1 at the time, did his reading homework for my granny. I can clearly remember the story, it was Chicken Licken. I remember being totally enthralled at the way the words seemed to make little paths across the page.
3.Did you go to college/university?
Unfortunately I did not attend college or university, although I would have loved to have had that opportunity. I am one of seven brothers and sisters, so it wasn't economically viable.
4.If so, what was your major?
(see answer to #3)
5.Outside of college, how have you educated yourself beyond secondary school?
Reading, reading and more reading. Anything I could lay my hands on; from historical novels, to autobiographies.
6.How's the weather?
The weather is cold, wet and miserable just the way I like it! It's now Autumn over here in South Africa.
7.What's your favorite color?
My favourite colour is wine-red and black.
8.Food?
I am mad about a meal here in South Africa, called 'potjie', pronounced 'poyky'. It's a type of stew, cooked in a black pot which looks like a witch's cauldron and cooked over an open fire - delicious!!!!
9.Pastime?
I love reading, painting and daydreaming about one day seeing a book that I've written on a shelf in a bookstore! sigh-sigh!!
10.Music?
Everything and anything, from Rock to country, to the blues, and yes even some rap!! And of course, good, old Afrikaans music!!
11. Writer?
I grew up reading Charles Dickens ... I love everything he's written. Also Agatha Christie of course. Another English writer called Catherine Cookson, Ruth Rendell and Evelyn Waugh, William Shakespeare too! Tennessee Williams and Neil Simon are another two writers' who I just love! Authors from South Africa that I love are Herman Charles Bosman, Athol Fugard (although he's more of a playwright) and PG du Plessis. They are absolutely fantastic, talented writers'!
12. TV show?
As for TV, I don't watch too much of it, except the news, the Crime channel and the history channel.
13. Movie?
I think I've watched GONE WITH THE WIND about a million times ... it is a beautiful film! Another one is the original MY FAIR LADY with Audrey Hepburn and Rex Harrison. Actually, I love all the old classics ... Alfred Hitchcock's BIRDS is another and THE TWO FACES OF EVE with Bette Davis ... brilliant!!
14. Book?
My favourite book would be anything by Jane Austen and Charles Dickens.
15.Poem?
My favourite poems are THE ANCIENT MARINER, and THE HIGHWAY MAN!!
Info about your Writing :
1.When did you first begin to write?
I think I was about 10 years old at the time. I'd write stories at home for my brothers and sisters to read. I'd also take them to school and pass them around to my classmates! I'd even make my own comics, drawings, storyline everything!!!
2.What kind of stories do you prefer to write?
I like writing stories with a surprise ending of some sort. I also enjoy writing something with a touch of humour.
3.Fiction or non-fiction?
Most of my stories are pure fiction, although I have to admit that I do occasionally draw inspiration from people I have met during my life; the interesting ones, that is!
4.Have you published anything?
A couple of things, but it's difficult to be published in South Africa as the industry is small and flooded with writers' trying to get published. But, I keep trying ..... hopefully, one day I'll get lucky!!
5.What is your reaction when the muse visits? Drop everything and write it down or tuck it away in memory and write it later?
When the muse visits, no matter what I'm doing, I stop and go write down the sentence in case I forget it. Whether I'm sweeping, or hanging up the washing or cooking, I grab a pen and scribble the line, or the name of the character down.
6 .Do you consider yourself a spontaneous writer or do you tend to plan things out in advance?
Yes, I'm a spontaneous writer indeed! As an idea pops into my head, I just run with it and am never quite sure as to the outcome. Usually, its as though the character tells me where they want to go or what they want to do. I have tried the 'planning' of a story, but those ones usually sound too contrived!
7. How does reading other authors affect your writing skills?
Uhm, I think reading other authors does influence me in some ways, but more in a subconscious way.
8. When you sit down to write something is it fun or work?
I find telling the story the fun part - it's the actual writing that is difficult, you know, the syntax, the grammar, the editing of the story. That makes me sweat. I love telling the story. My daughter always says that if I'd lived a couple of hundred years ago, I would have been the village story-teller .. I like that idea!
9. How do you get past writers block?
I get past the dreaded writers-block, by listening to music. Especially, our local singers, the Afrikaans ones. They sing of pain, torment and the everyday struggles we South Africans face, and that stirs some deep emotions inside me .... David Kramer is one of those singer/songwriters ...I just love his work!!
10. What feeds your desire to continue writing?
The need to tell stories ...
11.Who are your influences?
The characters who make up the wonderful fabric of the South African society.
12.How do you know when your story is finished?
Actually, my stories are never finished ... each one can be continued if I want to do so.
General things about you
1.Hobbies?
Writing, painting, walking along the beach when the weather is overcast and sleeping ... I really, enjoy sleeping, although it's something that I battle to do!
2.Pets?
We have a little maltese poodle called Pudding.
3.Talents?
Talents - I'd say, painting, writing and although I do not enjoy it, everyone says I'm a marvelous cook!!!
4.Jobs?
My job is as old as time itself and no, not that profession ...hehehe! I'm a wife, a mother of four and a grandmother of a beautiful little girl, called Georgia Anne Mae de Villiers who I adore to bits!!!
5.What advice would you give to growing writers?
The advice I'd give to growing writers, is to never give up, even when some of the critiques you receive are like knives to your hearts! Give your feelings a chance to calm themselves down, then a few days later go back, read what the crit says and most often you'll find that they are correct.
I encourage you to check out her following work:
Thank you, Bernice, for all you do on Storywrite!
Comments have been disabled to encourage personal communication with the member of the month.
