Each Thursday we will be interviewing one of the members of
Christian Writers Downunder – to find out a little bit more about them and
their writing/editing goals.
Who am I?
I’m an evolving story—with a title change along the way. I
have poetry, short fiction, creative non-fiction and spiritual devotions published
under my real name and as Mazzy Adams, the penname I adopted about four years
ago. If you’re curious, you can read more about my evolution into a writer here and about why I chose my penname here.
I’m also a word addict. I am totally hooked on those incredible
lettered delicacies that pepper pages, tantalise tongues, trip through teeth, evoke
a million images and emotions, flood curious minds with knowledge and wisdom and
release springs of love, hope, compassion and understanding from responsive
hearts. Not to mention, words can be oh so much FUN to play with!
Photo above: My shape poem, Maple Music,was listed as chosen by the judge in the 2013 Poetica Christi Press Poetry competition and published in their 2014 Anthology, A Lightness of Being
Where do I come from?
I’m Queensland born and bred and, after a five year dalliance
with Northern Beaches Sydney, New South Wales, my husband and I settled in
Toowoomba to raise our three amazing children (I look at them and marvel). I’ve
also been blessed with three wonderful grandchildren. Currently, I help my Maths/Science
genius husband support my writing habit by working as a creative and academic
writing tutor and manager in our Education Consultancy.
Question 2: Tell us about your writing (or
editing/illustrating etc). What do you
write and why?
What do I write?
I’m a PAGE—Poet, Author, Genre non-conformist, and Encourager—or
Essayist if you prefer. At times, I’m PAGES, either because I’m writing
Spiritual devotions, or I’m being long-winded, at which time the E stands for
Editing and the S stands for Strike that/Slash and burn/Stalking typos and
grammar gremlins or Scratching my head and tearing my hair out.
I've also written a New Adult Thriller. (Throw Ludlum’s Jason Bourne into a bowl with a biblical
worldview. Sprinkle with quirky acronyms and gospel allegory. Add a dash of
Calvin and Hobbes’ Homicidal Psycho
Jungle Cat’s philosophical humour. Bake with a fertile imagination. Enjoy.)
Despite my
concerns, the suspense of writing the novel didn’t kill me so I expect I’ll survive the Indie
Publishing learning curve. Then, Licence to Die will be a living, breathing,
deadly intriguing debut novel available in paperback and e-book—before 2019
expires.
Why do I write?
Because I can. And because I can’t not write. The urge to collate
words with intention and purpose has become both a passion and a divine
commission. And it’s FUN! (Yeah, even when I’m tearing my hair out.)
Question 3: Who has read your work? Who would you like to
read it?
Readers of the dozen Australian, US, International print and
online anthologies in which my poetry, CNF, short fiction and devotions have
been published.
Also, my compassionate, encouraging, and helpful Quirky Quills writing
companions. Several Beta Readers and my Editor have read the novel as a WIP.
While my children were young, I managed to woo and entertain
enthusiastic audiences with my drama sketches and puppet plays (especially
during the lolly meteor showers and dust storms), but technically they were
hearers and viewers, not readers.
Who are my target readers for Licence to Die (and other
works-in-progress I’m percolating)?
That mysterious and wondrous group recently recognised in
their own right as New Adults; 16-25ish, they’ll have conquered—or be in the
process of conquering—the trials and tribulations of senior schooling,
university study, earning a living, or generally nailing Introductory Adulting—or
giving it a good bash. Also, Advanced Adulting students (25-106ish) who
remember what it was like to be a young adult, and can cope with adulting being
used as a noun and a verb, not just an adjective (You’ll be relieved to know I
haven’t nouned or verbed the word ‘adulting’ in the novel).
Question 4: Tell us
something about your process. What challenges do you face? What helps you the
most?
Process? It usually starts with a couple of words, a line of
poetry, or a sentence that intrudes upon my everyday activities or my attempts
to go to sleep, and gives me no rest until I’ve written it down. Many of my
published pieces (and my novel) began life as ‘quick writing exercises’
for my Creative Writing degree. I focus on the ideas that have promise and
those that are downright demanding till I give in and write them, like Licence to Die. I either go with the flow, or formulate a plan which I modify, as flow and coherency directs.
Challenges? The poet in me likes to slip ‘writerly’
masterpieces into the mouths and minds of my characters, which I then have to
delete for POV authenticity. Sigh! Like so many writers, balancing the
financial budget also creates challenges.
I am most helped by the assurance (and reassurance) (and
re-reassurance) of the Holy Spirit that this is what he wants me to do.
Frequently, he uses other Christian Writers as his mouthpiece in this regard.
Question 5: What is your favourite Writing Craft Book and
why?
I found Manuscript Makeover by Elizabeth Lyon invaluable
in managing and simplifying the complex structure of my novel. I also
appreciate the wealth of quality wisdom and advice available online. In terms
of influence, I found Janice Elsheimer’s The Creative Call helped me realise the
hand of God had written ‘writer’ into my DNA long before I learned how to read
his writing.
Question 6: If you were to give a shout-out to a CWD author,
writer, editor or illustrator – who would they be?
Absolutely, Nola Passmore—writer, editor, Quirky Quill and my most significant influencer.
Some people won’t let you down, or won’t let you let yourself down. Nola
is one of these rare and precious friends.
.
Also, Iola Goulton—not only for her recent, excellent work
as copy editor for my novel, and her informative blogs, newsletters and social
media links to all things writing, editing, publishing and marketing, but as a
significant early influencer who, along with Anusha Atukorala, sent me out from
my first Christian Writers Conference believing I had writer’s stuffing inside me—and
it wasn’t all fluff. (Now you’re singing, ‘Winnie the Pooh, Winnie the Pooh,
funny little tubby all stuffed with fluff’, aren’t you?)
Question 7: What are your writing goals for 2019? How will
you achieve them?
Indie Publish Licence to Die, acquiring new and necessary
skills in the process. Start pushing up the word count for the next novel. I
hope to achieve this one step and one day at a time.
Question 8: How does your faith impact and shape your
writing?
I’ve been a Christian believer from my childhood. I survived
life’s wild, stormy weather long enough to become a writer because Jesus Christ
is my anchor. We’re tethered together in love and trust. Just as nothing can separate
me from the love of God in Christ Jesus, so nothing can separate Christ in me
from the words that I write. Sometimes that connection is overt and obvious.
Sometimes it is as inconspicuous and deeply layered as the rock beneath the
ocean’s currents.
As Galatians 2:20 says, ‘I have been crucified with
Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now
live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave
himself for me.’ Holy Bible,
New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All
rights reserved worldwide.
That sounds like a licence to die, don't you think? And also freedom to live (the ultimate sequel).
Mazzy Adams is a published author of poetry, fiction and
creative non-fiction. She has a passion for words, pictures and the positive
potential in people.
Website: www.mazzyadams.com
Email: maz@mazzyadams.com
