First Chapters Q&A with Robert Lukins

Robert Lukins is a Melbourne based debut fiction author.  He has written for Crikey, The Big Issue and Rolling Stone magazine amongst other publications.
Robert will be reading from The Everlasting Sunday (published by UQP) at our First Chapters event on Friday 1 June.

We asked Robert some general bookish questions because we were interested in finding out more about him and this is what he had to say.


 1.     Brunswick Bound has asked you to read a chapter from your published work at First Chapters.  
Tell us what we can expect from the chapter you have chosen?

I'll be reading from the first chapter, and as it does for the central character I hope to take us into the cold and confusion of a crumbling Manor house; a home for those 'found by trouble' in rural England in 1962.


2.     How would you describe the kind of books that you write?

The Everlasting Sunday is my first novel and I hope it is a lyrical and concentrated rendering of a distant world.
3. What was the first book that you read (or had read to you) that left an impression on you?

 As a child it was (I admit with only a little embarrassment) The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13 3/4 . Adrian's was a world of books and writing and that's what I wanted for myself.  As a teen it was White Noise by Don DeLillo.  This opened up a great big world to me.
4. Do you believe that books should answer life’s big questions?

Not at all.  I go to books for questions, I suppose.

5.     What’s your go-to solution for writer’s block?

 I hate to say I don't think I've ever had writer's block.  Instead of writing nothing, I just write rubbish.

6.     Which words or phrases do you overuse?

 My editor would tell you 'unremarkable' and 'of course'.

7.     What do you put down as your occupation when asked?

 Researcher, thought I don't think anyone's ever asked me before. 

8. What is the question that you hope never to be asked in an author Q&A?

 What's your favourite book? 

9. What question do you hope you will be asked and why?

 The earlier one that I answered with Adrian Mole.  I never tire of talking about the Mole diaries and just how wonderful they were/are.  

10. Which book that you have read do you think should be better known or more widely read?

 Ooh, nice variation on "What's your favourite book?"  (Sorry Robert!)
Very tricky to answer with one.  How about The Scent of Eucalyptus by Barbara Hanrahan or absolutely anything by Beverley Farmer.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

First Chapters Q&A with Justin Heazlewood

Image
Justin Heazlewood is an award-winning writer, musician and comic.  As the Bedroom Philosopher he has released three albums.  He was a senior writer for frankie for five years. His books include The Bedroom Philosopher Diaries and Funemployed . Justin will be reading from his new book Get Up Mum at First Chapters on Friday 6 July. We asked Justin some general bookish questions because we were interested in finding out more about him and this is what he had to say. 1. Brunswick Bound has asked you to read a chapter from your published work.  Tell us what we can expect from the chapter you have chosen? It’s written in the voice of a twelve year old ‘Heazy.’ It’s the infamous Heazlewood family slide night. Pop and I loved getting out the slides and clicking through. I like it as the opening scene of the book because ‘time’ is a theme and looking back is a default. 2. How would you describe the kind of books that you write? Personal. Funny. Honest. Championing mental he
Read more

First Chapters Q&A with HC Gildfind

Image
HC Gildfind lives in Melbourne and has published short stories, poetry, essays and book reviews in Australia and overseas.  Gildfind has also researched interwar Australian literature and history and has been mentored by novelist Andrea Goldsmith.  She will be reading from her book of short stories  The Worry Front . We asked HC some general bookish questions because we were interested in finding out more about her and this is what she had to say. 1. Brunswick Bound has asked you to read a story from your short story collection.  Tell us what we can expect from the story you have chosen? I’ll read one of two stories. The voices of the characters in ‘ Eat. Shit. Die .’ are energetic, funny and engaging (or so I think!), and my affection for them is hopefully contagious in a public reading. ‘ The Wished For ’ is a much more subtle and dark story, but the tension which drives it will hopefully grip an audience. 2. How would you describe the kinds of books that you write?
Read more

First Chapters Q&A with Saradha Koirala

Image
Saradha Koirala is a Nepali/Pakeha writer and poet from Aotearoa.  She teaches English, Literature and Creative Writing in Melbourne.  She is the author of three poetry collections and a teen novel.  Koirala also writes literature reviews and has interviewed international authors and covered events such as the Auckland Writers & Readers Festival.   Saradha will be reading from her book of poetry Photos of the Sky for us at First Chapters on Friday 3 May . 1. Brunswick Bound has asked you to read a chapter from your published work.  Tell us what we can expect from the chapter you have chosen? My latest book is a collection of poetry, so I thought I would read the first 8-10 poems (they’re quite short). The book is in four sections and the first is titled ‘Reach’ as in to stretch out for something. The section contains poems I wrote while still living in Wellington, but starting to long to move over to Melbourne. The first few are very Wellingtony – weather and h
Read more