Graeme Simsion, author of The Rosie Project
Tell us about your latest creation…
The Rosie Project: A socially-challenged genetics professor sets out to find a wife scientifically. A laugh-out-loud romantic comedy that both men and women will enjoy. Winner of the Vic Premier’s Award for an unpublished manuscript and rights sold in 32 countries.
Where are you from / where do you call home?
Born in Auckland, NZ, live in Melbourne, Australia.
When you were a kid, what did you want to become? An author?
As a young kid, an astronaut. Later (from about 10) a theoretical physicist.
What do you consider to be your best work? Why?
The Rosie Project (novel – there’s a screenplay too). It took a lot of small steps to realise a lifetime ambition of writing a novel. Previously I’d written non-fiction and made several short films.
Describe your writing environment to us – your writing room, desk, etc.; is it ordered or chaotic?
It’s a notebook computer. That’s it. And I use it anywhere except in my office – which is for business.
When you’re not writing, who/what do you like to read?
I’m a guy. Non-fiction. I have to force myself to read fiction – but I’m fine once I get into it. I like Nick Hornby, John Irving, John Fowles, Joanne Harris and (sorry) Philip Roth.
What was the defining book(s) of your childhood/schooling?
One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich – Solzenitsyn. It taught me something important about the nature of happiness – which may or may not have been the author’s intention. And I read ALL of Asimov, Hemingway and Henry Miller.
If you were a literary character, who would you be?
Daniel Martin – in Fowles’s Daniel Martin. A screenwriter trying to make sense of life – and eventually finding some. Which is what I turned out to be. (It’s 30 years since I’ve read it – I may be very wrong).
Apart from books, what do you do in your spare time (surprise us!)?
Walk. My partner and I walked 2000km from Cluny in France to Santiago in Spain (pilgrims’ route) in 2010. And make short films.
What is your favourite food and favourite drink?
Crab or tuna. Hard to beat fresh pepper crab eaten outside in Singapore. And I’m a wine nut so a great pinot noir from France or Oregon.
Who is your hero? Why?
Bob Dylan. For many reasons, including his determination to maintain his creative energy in later life.
Crystal ball time – what is the biggest challenge for the future of books and reading?
Short attention spans.
Follow Graeme:
- Website: www.graemesimsion.com
- Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/graem
e.simsion - Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/graemesimsion
Buy the eBook here…
