Ask the Author: Laura Rittenhouse
Answered Questions (5)
Laura Rittenhouse
Wendell, I assume you mean Richmond, Virginia, which was where I was born. I assume you don't me Richmond, NSW Australia (outside of Sydney) which is, coincidentally, where I now live.
Becoming a citizen of Australia is possible which makes it easier than most countries. But we have rather selfish immigration criteria so it's not especially easy. We have a point system that allows people from anywhere to apply to become permanent citizens. After you've been a permanent citizen for 2 years it's almost guaranteed you'll be able to become a citizen (assuming you've broken no laws). It's the criteria that makes things difficult for many. Points are awarded for career (some are given bonus points), age (if you're over 45 you have no chance), level of education, language and probably a few others.
If you fail on points you can come as a temporary resident if you get company sponsorship.
Failing that, you can buy your way in. I'm not sure of the level now, but if you invest a certain amount of money in the country and employ a certain number of people, you can move here.
Like I said, the immigration policies are rather selfish in that they only allow young, employable people who will contribute to the economy and put no drain on the pretty good social system.
My writing struggles here - but it would in the US as well. Getting "discovered" as a new author is tough. Finding readership without the marketing and distribution arm of a major publisher is even tougher. Luckily I love writing and don't need to earn my crust from it.
I don't miss Richmond, VA because I left there when I was 5. I grew up in Seattle which I do sometimes miss. But it's hard to want to live anywhere else because Australia is really an amazing country - I love it.
Good luck with your dreams of moving Down Under, it's worth the effort.
Becoming a citizen of Australia is possible which makes it easier than most countries. But we have rather selfish immigration criteria so it's not especially easy. We have a point system that allows people from anywhere to apply to become permanent citizens. After you've been a permanent citizen for 2 years it's almost guaranteed you'll be able to become a citizen (assuming you've broken no laws). It's the criteria that makes things difficult for many. Points are awarded for career (some are given bonus points), age (if you're over 45 you have no chance), level of education, language and probably a few others.
If you fail on points you can come as a temporary resident if you get company sponsorship.
Failing that, you can buy your way in. I'm not sure of the level now, but if you invest a certain amount of money in the country and employ a certain number of people, you can move here.
Like I said, the immigration policies are rather selfish in that they only allow young, employable people who will contribute to the economy and put no drain on the pretty good social system.
My writing struggles here - but it would in the US as well. Getting "discovered" as a new author is tough. Finding readership without the marketing and distribution arm of a major publisher is even tougher. Luckily I love writing and don't need to earn my crust from it.
I don't miss Richmond, VA because I left there when I was 5. I grew up in Seattle which I do sometimes miss. But it's hard to want to live anywhere else because Australia is really an amazing country - I love it.
Good luck with your dreams of moving Down Under, it's worth the effort.
Laura Rittenhouse
What set the tone for "Life's Journeys" was the completion of my first book "Starting Over". That book was a bit heavy - a life drama kind of work - and all written in the third person. I decided I wanted to tackle something lighter and thought telling it in the first person would be fun. So I mulled it over for about 5 minutes and came up with a younger, more optimistic protagonist who lived in a world I'd seen up close and personal.
A lot of the story of "Life's Journey's" was drawn from my own experiences. I worked in IT in Sydney and saw a lot of lousy work practices that got up my nose. I had my own arch nemesis yet I soldiered on regardless. A friend had an odd boyfriend who I worked into my plot. I guess it was all of these strands that were woven together to create the "idea" of my book.
What set the tone for "Life's Journeys" was the completion of my first book "Starting Over". That book was a bit heavy - a life drama kind of work - and all written in the third person. I decided I wanted to tackle something lighter and thought telling it in the first person would be fun. So I mulled it over for about 5 minutes and came up with a younger, more optimistic protagonist who lived in a world I'd seen up close and personal.
A lot of the story of "Life's Journey's" was drawn from my own experiences. I worked in IT in Sydney and saw a lot of lousy work practices that got up my nose. I had my own arch nemesis yet I soldiered on regardless. A friend had an odd boyfriend who I worked into my plot. I guess it was all of these strands that were woven together to create the "idea" of my book.
Laura Rittenhouse
Enjoy writing. If you're writing for any other reason there are going to be some very rough patches in your future. So write because you like writing, sit down and just do it, don't worry about what other people might think or how your masterpiece will be marketed - just finish your manuscript and then there will be plenty of time to worry about what comes next.
Laura Rittenhouse
Being able to do what you want, when you want without first combing your hair and brushing your teeth :-)
The second best thing is you're never alone or bored. People say you're never alone if you have a book but writing is like reading on steroids. There are all these characters sharing your head and it's very easy to get lost in their lives, who could feel lonely or bored even in a totally empty house?
The second best thing is you're never alone or bored. People say you're never alone if you have a book but writing is like reading on steroids. There are all these characters sharing your head and it's very easy to get lost in their lives, who could feel lonely or bored even in a totally empty house?
Laura Rittenhouse
I go for a walk. I find a 30-45 minute brisk walk around the neighbourhood thinking about my characters - where they are, what they're doing, what will happen next - clears my head and I can sit down and write almost on autopilot.
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