Ask the Author: Frank Prem
Answered Questions (12)
Frank Prem
I don't really consider any mysteries in my own life worth a book of their own.
Mine has been a very ordinary life, though with many exraordinary things happening within it. Just like every life.
The things that I consider worth writing a book of poetry about are those things that lie on the periphery - not mysterious, but usually ignored.
I like to bring these things to the centre of attention, and to allow them to be the focus.
For example, in SMall Town Kid - my memoir of growing up in the 1960s and 70s, I was less interested in the things that young Frank did, and much more concerned with what any young person at that time could and would do as a matter of course, but which had been lost and forgotten by the middle of the 1990s.
Similarly, the stories of victims and survivors of the Black Saturday bushfires of 2009 told in Devil In The Wind, have largely been forgotten already.
The small things, not the mysterious are my domain.
Mine has been a very ordinary life, though with many exraordinary things happening within it. Just like every life.
The things that I consider worth writing a book of poetry about are those things that lie on the periphery - not mysterious, but usually ignored.
I like to bring these things to the centre of attention, and to allow them to be the focus.
For example, in SMall Town Kid - my memoir of growing up in the 1960s and 70s, I was less interested in the things that young Frank did, and much more concerned with what any young person at that time could and would do as a matter of course, but which had been lost and forgotten by the middle of the 1990s.
Similarly, the stories of victims and survivors of the Black Saturday bushfires of 2009 told in Devil In The Wind, have largely been forgotten already.
The small things, not the mysterious are my domain.
Frank Prem
Not so much with patients where I work now, although it has been true in the past.
I find now that the work seems cathartic for general audience - which unknowingly at the time of sharing includes folk from all walks of life and experience.
I don't shy away from touching sensitive issues in my own way (murder-suicide, ECT and Involuntary Admission, for example in The New Asylum), and I think that audience appreciate that. They don't need to make themselves known, so it can be a secret thing, or they can share and we get into meaningful and robust discussion.
It's quite wonderful, really, and sometimes at its best with a small audience group.
I find now that the work seems cathartic for general audience - which unknowingly at the time of sharing includes folk from all walks of life and experience.
I don't shy away from touching sensitive issues in my own way (murder-suicide, ECT and Involuntary Admission, for example in The New Asylum), and I think that audience appreciate that. They don't need to make themselves known, so it can be a secret thing, or they can share and we get into meaningful and robust discussion.
It's quite wonderful, really, and sometimes at its best with a small audience group.
Frank Prem
Difficult question. The last world I enjoyed that was completely new to me was A C (Andrea) Flory's Innerscape.
The worlds I tend to go back to and read again are midieval fantasy worlds, such as Robin Hobb's Farseers, and similar.
The worlds I tend to go back to and read again are midieval fantasy worlds, such as Robin Hobb's Farseers, and similar.
Frank Prem
I cupped the match in my hand as it flared into life. The crackling laughter came to my ears in shades of a red, and yellow need to burn.
Frank Prem
Currently I'm revisiting the original Dune books. I'm enjoying them very much.
I'll probably look for the 2 most recent Mathew Reilly books if I get a chance. I'm particularly looking forward to The Three Secret Cities.
I'll probably look for the 2 most recent Mathew Reilly books if I get a chance. I'm particularly looking forward to The Three Secret Cities.
Frank Prem
Hi Alicia, this has just come through, but I think we've already been in contact and all is well and underway.
Cheers,
Frank
Cheers,
Frank
Frank Prem
Small Town Kid came about when I realized that in the space of a single generation the childhood that was the norm, and common in most of its elements right across the country, had disappeared.
Bonfire nights and crackers, outside toilets and the nightcart man. Riding bikes to see girls and walking unaccompanied a mile and more to school. All gone in what seemed no time at all.
When my own young children started treating my stories as myths or legends or outright fibs, it was time to write The Small Town Kid.
Bonfire nights and crackers, outside toilets and the nightcart man. Riding bikes to see girls and walking unaccompanied a mile and more to school. All gone in what seemed no time at all.
When my own young children started treating my stories as myths or legends or outright fibs, it was time to write The Small Town Kid.
Frank Prem
I am surrounded by stories.
Every thought is a potential poem, that may have meaning in its own right, or in the context of a readers life at the time they encounter the piece.
Thoughts and ideas are my writing breath and blood.
Every thought is a potential poem, that may have meaning in its own right, or in the context of a readers life at the time they encounter the piece.
Thoughts and ideas are my writing breath and blood.
Frank Prem
Trying to get publicity for Small Town Kid to line up - newspapers, radio, appearances, signings, bookstores.
My next collection is in pre-planning, with a view to mid-year release.
I have a further work in advanced stage with a tentative release around end-year 2019.
All very fluid.
In the in-between bits, I'm still writing daily.
My next collection is in pre-planning, with a view to mid-year release.
I have a further work in advanced stage with a tentative release around end-year 2019.
All very fluid.
In the in-between bits, I'm still writing daily.
Frank Prem
Look for the clues that will lead you to your own writing 'voice'. The elements of your work that are characteristic of you, in particular.
Your style can become like your signature and be recognized almost before your name is known as the author of the work.
Your style can become like your signature and be recognized almost before your name is known as the author of the work.
Frank Prem
Writing is nothing but fun. See it, write it, look for the next idea.
Being an author? That is harder work.
Being an author? That is harder work.
Frank Prem
Inability to write usually only happens if I get overloaded with other work and wear myself out (like trying to get a manuscript to turn into a book - the cost of such magic is exhaustion.
My solution is to take a little time, to read a little. Take walks.
I feel that I am surrounded by stories that want to be told, so it is rare for me to lack ideas or thoughts that will become the next poem.
My solution is to take a little time, to read a little. Take walks.
I feel that I am surrounded by stories that want to be told, so it is rare for me to lack ideas or thoughts that will become the next poem.
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