An interview with Clancy Tucker, blogger supreme.

Where did you grow up? Did your childhood have any impact on your writing?I was born in Australia, but I am well-travelled, having lived in four countries. Yes, I am sure that I write young adult fiction because of my childhood. I still recall what it is like to be a kid. Hence, I have role models in all of my stories. Sadly, many kids today would not know what a role model is.

What are you currently working on? I am revising the manuscript for my next book – Pa Joe’s Place. Also, I am deeply involved in research for a possible non-fiction story. It involves a famous incident, and alleged murder, that happened about 12 years ago in Australia and made world headlines for months. Hopefully, I might just have the evidence that will again be world headlines. Not a word more will I say. Watch this space …

 What is your favorite character you have ever created and why? Difficult question to answer. I use male and female protagonists. However, probably Smokey ‘Gun’ Danson; the main character in my first book – Gunnedah Hero. Why is he my favourite? Smokey is a very noble character with ethics, loyalty, empathy and passion.

 Do you have to write in order or do your ideas just come to you and you put them in order later?I have an idea and shoot from the hip. The story takes on its own life. I never plan a story. It normally takes me three months to write a manuscript of 100,000 words, working 12-14 hours a day, seven days a week.

 What was your path like until you found writing? I first wrote when I was about eight-years-of-age.

How is your relationship with your publishing company? It’s excellent, considering that I’m the managing director of my own publishing company. However, I’m always seeking interests from traditional publishers. Should they come to fruition, I would be prepared to negotiate on most things except two: changing the stories I write, and the covers for my books and as a photographer, I do my own covers.

What inspires you to write? I am well-travelled, and have done my travelling with an open mind. Travelling is the best university on earth. Also, people inspire me. I am very intuitive, perceptive, observant and interested in what goes on around me and the world.

 How do you get book reviews? With great difficulty, but I’ve been lucky enough to have had some brilliant reviews which can be seen on my daily blog: http://clancytucker.blogspot.com.au/p/book-reviews.html

  What is harder: writing, editing, or marketing? Writing is very easy for me. It just rolls out. Editing or revising is a discipline you must accept as part of the journey and a major part of learning your craft. You cannot become intolerant of sitting for hours with a red pen, looking for better ways to write or say things in a manuscript. Marketing is an absolute pain, but sadly necessary. It takes me away from what I’m good at – writing. However, I write a daily blog and have a variety of guests from around the world. My blog has introduced me to some fantastic friends. I am always seeking the silver bullet.

What advice would you have for this upcoming generation? Leave your mobile phone and laptop at home and get out and do things. Travel, learn, observe, smell and do things for others. Life is short … use it … there is plenty to do.

Thank you for inviting me.

Clancy Tucker writes young adult fiction for reluctant readers but has also achieved success as a poet and photographer. Clancy has lived in four countries, speaks three languages, has photography accepted and published in books in the USA (Innocent Dreams, Endless Journeys & A Trip Down Memory Lane), used as covers for magazines (‘The Australian Writer’ – 2008 & ‘Victorian Writer – 2008), has work registered with the International Library of Photography, published in literary magazines and he’s written more than 146 short stories.  www.clancytucker.blogspot.com.au

www.clancytucker.com.au