Now that all the excitement of the opening has settled down, we're continuing our series of exhibitor interviews with Taupo author Doug Wilson. Doug is the author of the wonderful Tom Hassler series of chapter books: high-action adventures, which he says are especially geared at drawing in reluctant readers. Doug describes his work as 'irreverent', but for those of us who were lucky enough to hear him read at the opening, we know it is highly entertaining.
So, Doug, please tell us...
When did you start writing?
As a kid, but not seriously on paper until recently, although I have always been story teller.
What do you write?
Kids fantasy tales, drawing on my background as a scientist.
What do you find the most satisfying part of your work?
I use the kids stories as a relaxation from my other work and find writing them so rewarding after delaying doing this for so long.
What are you working on at the moment?
Another Tom Hassler story: The Great Migration. It's about re-siting a colony of threatened penguins with the help of reluctant seals and orcas.
And I've got lots of ideas mulling over for the future: more in the Changeling Warriors series (due to be published later this year), battling Evil Miasma and meeting Robin Hood, present at the Destruction of Lindisfarne and gathering an army of witches and knights and Romans to beat horror invaders. Not surprisingly I was a great fan of Enid Blyton and Tolkien as a child, adventure and fantasy combined.
Where do you live and work?
I live in Taupo, where I also do my writing, form home. For my other work, I consult for biotech and drug companies in NZ, Australia, Italy, USA and Ireland on how to get needed drugs and vaccines to the world markets, particularly in areas like HIV, asthma, cancer, Alzheimer's and strokes, and for pain relief. When I'm not working I like to talk, eat, drink wine and, of course, write.
You can find out more about Doug and his books from his websites:
www.tomhassler.com
www.drdougWilson.com
So, Doug, please tell us...
When did you start writing?
As a kid, but not seriously on paper until recently, although I have always been story teller.
What do you write?
Kids fantasy tales, drawing on my background as a scientist.
What do you find the most satisfying part of your work?
I use the kids stories as a relaxation from my other work and find writing them so rewarding after delaying doing this for so long.
What are you working on at the moment?
Another Tom Hassler story: The Great Migration. It's about re-siting a colony of threatened penguins with the help of reluctant seals and orcas.
And I've got lots of ideas mulling over for the future: more in the Changeling Warriors series (due to be published later this year), battling Evil Miasma and meeting Robin Hood, present at the Destruction of Lindisfarne and gathering an army of witches and knights and Romans to beat horror invaders. Not surprisingly I was a great fan of Enid Blyton and Tolkien as a child, adventure and fantasy combined.
Where do you live and work?
I live in Taupo, where I also do my writing, form home. For my other work, I consult for biotech and drug companies in NZ, Australia, Italy, USA and Ireland on how to get needed drugs and vaccines to the world markets, particularly in areas like HIV, asthma, cancer, Alzheimer's and strokes, and for pain relief. When I'm not working I like to talk, eat, drink wine and, of course, write.
You can find out more about Doug and his books from his websites:
www.tomhassler.com
www.drdougWilson.com