Emma Cameron is an internationally published author living on the NSW South Coast of Australia. She’s been a finalist in the Global Read Aloud, the Sakura Medal, and received notable recognition from the Children’s Book Council of Australia.
Besides writing, she enjoys wearing her manuscript assessor, editor and coaching hats to help others with their literary endeavours. She’s always happy to be contacted via her website.
About The King’s Conservatorium
In a kingdom where music is outlawed and their only family is each other, young brothers Garlan and Cadell make an impossible journey for the chance to live their lives filled with song.
The interview
Why do you write in the genres that you do?
What I write comes from what I hear, see and notice around me. My first novel, U.S. title Out of This Place, came from working with teens in a school setting. It was the characters who urged me to write their story. The free verse used is how they spoke to me.
None of my other titles use free verse. View from the 32nd Floor was inspired by hearing about people who were found deceased, alone in their homes, long after they passed away. A Room for Ryel came from observations of blended families.
My latest title, The King’s Conservatorium, was inspired by a simple ‘what if’ that imagined a world where music and song was outlawed. I purposely steered clear of anything too political and created a fable like adventure because I like adventure stories.
Do you keep a notebook of ideas?
Always, always. Oodles of them. They’re in my office, my car, on my bedside table. It’s not always actual notebooks and may often be only paper I grab from wherever I can to scribble on. If I wake during the night with an idea, I even scratch that down without turning on the light.
Do you have a muse?
Not in the true sense of the word. I’m often inspired by people around me and will use them to bounce ideas off. They may not realise that’s what I’m doing. It’s simply conversation that can help my subconscious work through things when stories are brewing.
Are you more of a fan of plot-driven stories or character-driven stories?
Definitely character-driven. If the character doesn’t matter, why would the events?
Fill in the blank: “People will like your book if they like stories about…”
… characters who rise to challenges that life throws at them, particularly if it’s things that are beyond their control. The feedback on my works always point to the stories having tugged at readers’ hearts. People who like to be moved by reading will likely enjoy my books.
What are your thoughts on typewriters?
Fantastic invention! Of course, learning to touch type is a must and the use of computers with the qwerty keyboard has made life so much easier for writers.
Would you rather own a bookstore or run a library?
Mmm. Can’t decide. If bookstores never went out of business, I’d choose a bookstore. That said, a library is wonderful in that it allows people to have books without having to pay for them.
How do you name your characters? If you write nonfiction, do you ever change the names of your characters, and if so, how do you decide what names to change them to?
I think about who they are and what lies at their core before wading into my dictionaries of names and their meanings. What I choose must be appropriate for each character.
What is your favorite website that you use to promote your writing?
I’m not great at using websites to promote my material but am a fan of Goodreads and do guest posts and interviews on sites like Kids’ Book Review and publisher blogs. I also have a website.
If Hollywood bought the rights to your book, would you want it to be turned into a movie or series?
Definitely a movie. I don’t think The King’s Conservatorium lends itself to series. Though who am I to decide? If Hollywood thought it did, I’d be pleased about that too.
Who is your dream audiobook narrator?
Alec Shea is the narrator of The King’s Conservatorium, and he’s done a fantastic job of bringing the array of characters in this fabled world to life.
Do you try to hit a certain page or word count with each writing session?
Never. That’s a recipe for stifling creativity. I much prefer to just make sure I keep writing while in the right head space and take breaks when I need to. It’s vital to look after myself.
Do you have any writing rituals?
Nothing comes to mind here. That said, I often play classical music as I work.
What are your passions/obsessions outside of writing?
I love gardening, music, cooking, reading and a good pot of properly brewed loose leaf tea.
Have you made any public appearances to promote your book?
No. Not because I wouldn’t like to. It’s just not something I’m able to do.
Who would you most want to read your book, living or dead?
Gosh, that’s a tricky question. I can’t think of anybody in particular. What’s most important for me is that anyone who reads my books enjoys them.
Who is on your Mt. Rushmore of greatest/inspirational authors?
That’s an easy question. Kate Dicamillo, Catherine Jinks, Bill Condon and James Maloney.
What is your favorite bookish possession?
A handmade bookmark made by an aboriginal elder who I met in Hermannsburg in the Australian Northern Territory while on a trip to Uluru.
Have you ever mentored another writer with their writing?
Yes, quite a few. It’s one of the most fun things I get to do in my job.
Is there an idea that a non-writer has pitched to you that you have written or considered writing?
No. I find non-writers coming up with “You should write a story about …” never inspires me. That’s usually because they don’t know enough about writing to understand what makes a story at all.
I like hearing writers who pitch stories about something that inspires them. That doesn’t mean I’d try to write the story they speak of. What it does mean is that I delight in observing the way others think. If it’s a pitch that grabs me, I hope that they follow through and write it.
What is the most unique way that an idea for a piece of writing has come to you.
While I can’t think of any unique ways ideas for a work came to me, I do recall the most unique way a character arrived. With a story idea that had no protagonist to begin with, the first character appeared. I knew she would be the protagonist’s best friend.
I spotted her walking down the main street of our small town. Her school bag over her shoulder, she had just gotten off a bus, her face a mix of angelic peace and emotional struggle. I knew, in my heart, she would stand by my protagonist’s side no matter what. I spotted her again, many years later. She may never know she inspired that character.
Are you a big reader? Do you own a large collection of books, or are you more of a borrower?
I read a lot. Can’t imagine life without at least one book on the go. While I have a large collection of books, many of which were acquired for free or at little cost, I’m also a borrower.
Have you ever gone away to work on a piece of writing? If not, where would you go if you could?
Not specifically to work on a piece. As I’m always writing, however, I rarely go away and don’t write while away from home. It’s too hard to resist the urge to keep working on any creation I’m in the middle of. It’s a good thing that writing is so easy to do anywhere.
What is an annoying thing that a non-writer has assumed about writers or the act of writing?
That it just happens with the snap of a finger. That it’s all about talent and not about years of learning the craft and working harder than most people could ever begin to imagine.
How do you measure the success of your writing career?
I guess the fact that my work was picked up by publishers and shortlisted for some awards is testament to it having some worth. I say “I guess” as reading is so subjective. The truth is that many good works don’t get published. As is the case for many authors, part of my success relates to luck and timing.
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