Author Interview With Amanda Bridgeman
When I was considering signing with Momentum, I had a poke around to see what else they’d published. I immediately found several books I wanted to read (a very good sign) and one of those was Aurora:Darwin by Amanda Bridgeman. A distress signal from the edge of inhabited space? Two people in a struggle for survival? What’s not to like? Sadly, the book isn’t due for release until 1st May (but you can pre-order it at Amazon and other online stores). I’m looking forward to it.
Then someone at Momentum realised Amanda and I were on the same “Newly Published Writers Showcase” panel at Conflux 9 in Canberra on 28th April (everyone has to come!) and put us in touch. So now I’d like to introduce you all to Amanda. She kindly agreed to answer a few questions about herself and her work.
Aurora:Darwin is your first published novel and it’s speculative fiction. Had you been writing long before publishing success came your way, and is all your work spec fic?
I used to write a lot when I was in my early teens, but then seemed to stop for several years as I immersed myself in film. I re-started writing again about 5 years ago, and that is when AURORA:DARWIN was born. I had initially sat down to write it as a script, but found it much easier to write the story out as a novel, where I could explain and express all that I wanted to. Before I knew it the book was finished, but the story was not, so the Aurora Series came into being. I only started seeking a publisher at the start of 2012, and by August of that year I’d had two offers, so I was pretty lucky in that sense. So far all my work is spec fic, and for the immediate future that will be my focus as I develop the Aurora Series and work on a couple of other stand alone spec fic novels. I do have a few stories in my mind that are in different genres, though. So you never know!
How have your family and friends reacted to you becoming a published author?
They’ve been fantastic, so supportive! They’re ones getting all excited and I’m the one trying to keep my feet on the ground and not get my hopes up!
As an Australian writer, do you feel you bring a different perspective or flavour to your work, and would that make your fiction more or less appealing to a global audience?
The good thing about AURORA:DARWIN is that is has a global focus. I specifically wrote a story that would hopefully appeal to an international audience, as well as appeal to both sexes! I think here in Australia we are exposed to so many different cultures, particularly the US and UK cultures, that it’s part of our make-up to be pretty accepting, understanding and flexible. The hero of AURORA:DARWIN is an African American, and there are several other American characters, as well as a couple of British, European and Antipodean characters. So, I guess as an Australian writer, I’ve brought an international flavour to my work, based on the upbringing I’ve had. That said, being Australian, I think we’re very proud of who we are and where we’ve come from, and so naturally one of main characters is an Aussie, who is also proud of where she came from.
Science fiction fans are notoriously difficult to please. Do you do a lot of research when you write a book? Or is that not the kind of reader you’re writing for?
I think another good thing about the sci-fi that I write is that it’s simple. It’s simple to read, with interesting, twisting plots throughout the series, but without ever over-complicating things. I personally like books that are easy to read. If I have to go back and re-read a paragraph because I don’t understand what the writer meant, then that to me is too much work. Reading should be fun and easy. My eyes should glide over the words. If I’m having to stop every few paragraphs, then that ruins the experience. They say the golden rule of writing is to write what you want to read, well that is exactly what I’ve done. AURORA:DARWIN is set only 60 odd years in the future, so I have done basic research to formulate the military space world of my book so that it holds a sense of reality, but the beauty of fiction is simply that – it’s fiction. I’m not writing a science paper, I’m writing an adventure with which you can switch off from reality for a while.
What are you reading at the moment and what genres engross you the most?
I’m currently reading fellow Momentum author Nina D’Aleo’s The Last City. So far it’s fantastic! I’m learning a thing or two about worldbuilding from her! I like anything with a little drama, action and yes, the fantastical.
Your publisher is Momentum, a digital imprint of Pan Macmillan. Did you consider self-publishing, or did you go straight to the Big Six publishers?
I had considered self-publishing, but only if I couldn’t get a traditional publisher. My first choice was always to go with one of the Big Six (or is that Big Five now?), as personally I don’t think you can beat their knowledge, contacts, expertise, etc, etc. I’m still very new to this writing ‘gig’, so I’m still learning as I go, but I have to say that my first experience so far has been great. I wouldn’t do anything differently. That said, if I haven’t received any offers, I would’ve gone down the self-pub route, but I would’ve done it the expensive way and paid good money for the right editors and graphic designers. I’m a bit of an ‘all or nothing’ girl. If I’m going to do something, then I try to do it right.
Tell us something about the ideas behind Aurora:Darwin, where they came from and why you chose those things to write about out of everything else in the universe.
Well, I’m a huge sci-fi / action / horror fan, particularly in regards to the genre films I watched growing up (the Alien series, Star Wars, X-Men series, Leviathan, Deep Star Six, Starship Troopers, etc). I basically love films where you have a group of characters banding together to survive something, and I also love films where you have the lone hero trying to survive something (Jaws, Die Hard, etc), so I’ve drawn from both these themes when writing the Aurora Series. I’m also a bit of a sucker for soldiers and cops (the result of my attraction to the ‘masculine hero’ and action films), so naturally soldiers became my chosen group to terrorise. I had the basic story of A:D in my head, but after I saw ‘I Am Legend’, Will Smith became the character of Saul Harris for me, and I just began to fill in the blanks from there. Basically, in a nutshell, I’ve drawn inspiration from many sources, thrown it all into a bowl, mixed it about, added my own flavour, and out came AURORA:DARWIN.
In the book, women have not previously been allowed in the outer zones. Does this imply that you expect the subjugation of women to continue well into the future? Does Aurora:Darwin have a feminist subtext?
Oooh tricky question. Look I think women will still have to fight for a little while longer, but it’s getting better day by day. They’ve only just allowed women on the frontline, and we’re still not hitting the same pay-packets that men in the corporate world do. So we’re certainly not there yet, and it’s been many years of trying, but we’re headed in the right direction. I guess in some respects A:D may have a feminist subtext, although I didn’t intentionally write that in, it just happened. I think the argument of women on the frontline will continue for a little while yet. Although hopefully not another 60 years like in A:D! Heh heh.
That colon in the middle of the title suggests you have more Aurora novels in the pipeline. Have you plotted out a whole series? What opportunities does such a grand design bring?
Before I approached a publisher I had several books written! As I mentioned earlier, AURORA:DARWIN was only supposed to be one book, but the story grew and took on a life of its own. I actually think it’s been beneficial as I know, quite solidly, just what is going to happen in the future and how the characters are going to get there. So it helps make the editing easier, as I know just when to start laying the breadcrumbs…….
Where will your imagination take you after the Aurora series? Do you have any projects planned?
Yes! I’ve still got a couple of books in the Aurora series to write, but I’ve got another spec-fic one that I’m dying to write. It’s completely different from the series, no soldiers or cops, just ordinary people thrown into extraordinary circumstances. I’m quite excited about that one! I’ve also got a medieval one, an action-adventure one, a romance, a couple of YA/NA ones, and a rock ’n’ roll road-trip one I’m keen to write! I just need to find the time!!
Thanks for having me on your site!
You’re welcome!
BIO:
Born and raised in the seaside/country town of Geraldton, Western Australia, Amanda hails from fishing and farming stock. The youngest of four children, her three brothers raised her on a diet of Rocky, Rambo, Muhammad Ali and AC/DC. Naturally, she grew up somewhat of a tomboy, preferring to watch action/sci-fi films over the standard rom-com, and liking her music rock hard. But that said, she can swoon with the best of them and is terrified of bugs.
She moved to Perth (WA) to pursue her dreams and study film & television/creative writing at Murdoch University (BA Communication Studies). She is an office manager by day, and by night a writer. She loves most genres, but is particularly fond of the Spec-Fic realm. She likes action, epic adventures and strong characters that draw you in, making you want to follow them on their wild, rollercoaster rides.
Amanda’s website is at http://amandabridgeman.com.au/
