David Rogerson

I hold a memory of my childhood having been dropped off at the local library while my mother went grocery shopping. While it was more than likely a welcome respite for her, for me it was the beginning of a lifelong adventure with the written word and remains as one of my most influential moments.
Every synopsis I read, or paragraphs I gleaned through a quick flick of the pages, gave a glimpse into different world with unusual (and sometimes perfectly ‘usual’) characters.
Time seemed to slow as I dropped like Alice into a Wonderland of words and experiences. The thought that I could create the same feelings in a reader and that my stories could live in the memories of others led me to realise that I have been a writer in training since those days where I was dropped Home Alone-style at the local library.

I was brought up in Western Australia – home of the most isolated capital city in the world. As isolated as we were, there was a strong British influence, thanks to my home being situated close to a Naval Base.
Because of this, I was exposed to the writing of Roald Dahl and Joan Aiken and still hold their friendly and supportive story telling as some of my favourites.
It was New Zealand author, Maurice Gee, whose fantastical stories first taught me that whole, fully realised and nuanced worlds could exist between two covers.

I believe my response is best represented by the scene in the movie I Know What You Did Last Summer where the protagonist spins around on the street yelling “What are you waiting for? Huh? What are you waiting fooooor?”
But, instead of attempting to goad a response from a rain-slicker wearing killer in a 1997 horror film, I would instead be urging you – my reader - to buy and devour my work.
I assure you that my unusual quirky style and sense of humour will make you smile. And we all deserve to smile.

I would have to say that Millicent Sullivan is my favourite character. A socialite septuagenarian who had always favoured status over being truly present for her children. Her re-evaluation of her life choices and her journey from the periphery of her family’s lives to slowly and awkwardly building relationships in later life is such a fun ride.
Millicent came into being because it is never too late to become a more authentic, better version of ourselves. Owning past mistakes and using them to propel into new endeavours is something that has always fascinated me.

I have planned a trilogy of children’s books and have began writing a cozy mystery. In short, my future plan is to be always writing. I enjoy the process of creating, and then immersing myself into, the worlds of my characters as I dash here and there adding some drama, humour, growth and (always) a large amount of quirkiness.
For me, having a writing project on the go brings back that childhood feeling of knowing that something wonderful is waiting for you at home, and the anticipation and excitement carries you through the school day.