Welcome to Author Services Australia Pauline Yates, and welcome to our author interviews! If you could start by introducing yourself to everyone, let them know where you’re from and some of your interests and hobbies.
Hi, I’m Pauline Yates, a horror and science fiction writer from Queensland, Australia. I’m the author of my multi-award-winning sci-fi novel, Memories Don’t Lie, and my new sci-fi/horror novella, Shattered. I live on a mountain in the S.E. Qld hinterland and enjoy the wildlife and nature perks that come with that. I love snapping those colourful sunrises, or any weirdly shaped cloud that drifts by. I enjoy our community of birdlife, in particular our resident Magpies who are all named George (because we can’t tell them apart), and Buddy, my friendly King Parrot who arrives on schedule every season for treats. I don’t particular like the carpet snakes but as they also arrive every season, I have no choice but to love them, too, from a distance.
What inspired you to start writing?
I’ve always enjoyed telling tall tales, and I’m a chronic daydreamer, and I always wanted to be an author, so writing was a natural extension of all of those things.
What is your preferred genre to write in?
I’ve learned that my strength is in horror, so I usually lean toward that. But I do love the broadness of sci-fi, especially the ‘what if’ within that genre, and because I can keep more of my characters alive.
What is your writing process?
I usually can’t start the actual writing of a story without the first line, so I spend a lot of time thinking about that. It helps to set the mood I’m looking for and once I’ve got it close to what I want, I’m away. I’ve learned that it’s important to write the story as fast as possible, so I don’t lose the enthusiasm. Editing can come later. I don’t always need to know how the story ends. Sometimes the story will direct me to an end I hadn’t considered as it unfolds on the page.
What is one thing you wish you knew now that you didn’t know when you started writing?
I didn’t know how insidious and crippling imposter syndrome can be. Had I known how much it could take hold, I would have been more conscious about how it could affect my mindset and done more to stop it filling me with writer self-doubt.
Which book is your favorite and why?
I love The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater. I love it because I love horses, but I also love the world she created and the characters within it. Their journey and character arcs stayed with me long after the race finished.
Who are some of your favorite authors?
Matthew Reilly – I love his fast-paced action scenes because they’re not slowed down by large chunks of descriptive prose, but I mostly admire the way he barged into the publishing industry and created his author empire through sheer determination.
What are you working on right now?
Take your pick—my second novel, a new novella, a short story collection, more short stories, oh, and a poem here and there, plus the final editing for forthcoming releases. Honestly, I always have multiple projects on the go so if I need a break from one project, I can jump into another. I’m just not happy if I’m not tinkering with something.
How do you handle a bad review?
The beauty about writing horror is that we can vent our rage in a safe space and not get arrested. No, honestly, bad reviews are all part of this publishing gig. You can’t write to please everyone. Some will love your work, others won’t. Learn what you can, ignore the rest.
What’s next for you as an author?
That’s a very good question, and one I don’t have a definitive answer for. I’m conscious of building a backlist, so more writing, more submitting, and hopefully more publishing.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
Hopefully still writing, still creating, but doing it better than what I’m doing now.
If you could choose one superpower, what would it be and why?
I’ve wanted this for a long time: the ability to transfer the movie in my head into words on a page with the click of a button. Wouldn’t that be great? The only problem I foresee with that is that sometimes it takes multiple redrafts to find the real story I’m trying to tell, so I’m happy to forego that superpower and stick with my current long-form process.
Where is your ultimate holiday destination?
I love a secluded beach, white sand, no footprints, so wherever that is I’d happily make a reservation. And stay forever (with laptop, of course).
Thanks so much for taking the time to do an author interview Pauline Yates!
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Author Name: Pauline Yates
Genre/s: Horror and Science Fiction
Author Website: https://paulineyates.com/
Social Media Links: Threads, Facebook, Instagram, X-Twitter, YouTube, Goodreads, AllAuthor, BookBub, and Amazon Author Central.
The Best Link to Where People Can Buy Your Book: https://paulineyates.com/
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Thanks, Clayton, for a terrific interview and the opportunity to take part.
Our pleasure Pauline, it was great learning more about you as an author!