ANZ LitLovers LitBlog

Toni Jordan is the Melbourne author who burst into Australia’s writing scene with the much-loved quirky comedy Addition in 2008.

Debut novel of the year in the 2008 Indie Awards, it was longlisted for the 2009 Miles Franklin, and was also

• A Women’s Weekly Great Read
• Shortlisted, Best General Fiction Book,  for the Australian Book Industry Awards 2008
• Shortlisted, Best Newcomer, for the Australian Book Industry Awards 2008
• Best Themed Fiction, UK Medical Journalists Association 2008, and
• Shortlisted for the Barbara Jefferis Award 2009.

• Addition is soon to be made into a movie which is to be co-produced by Cristina Pozzan of Buon Giorno Productions and Bruna Papandrea.

Toni’s second novel Fall Girl was released late last year to rave reviews. (It was the first book I chose to read when I got back from overseas, and I really enjoyed it.  See my review).    I like love Toni’s cheeky style and irreverent sense of humour, but I am delighted to see that she’s hard at work on a new novel that’s not a romantic comedy – it’s good to see our most talented and versatile Aussie writers venturing into different genres and doing something new.  And Toni does such interesting characterisation, I am intrigued to see what she might do with it in a different type of novel – but, we’ll just have to wait and see…

As you can imagine, Toni’s a very busy lady (she also freelances as a copywriter), but she very kindly agreed to answer my questions, and here they are:

1.  I was born in Morningside, Brisbane. I was well into my twenties before I went to **excitement** Sydney and almost 30 before I went overseas.
2.  When I was a child I wrote only what was required for school. No diary, no short stories, nothing.
3.  The person who encouraged/inspired/mentored me to write is/was my husband, Robbie, to whom even the impossible is a possibility.
4.   I write in my study, with my books and my dog. I can’t imagine how anyone can write without books and a dog.
5.   I write when inspiration strikes, and also when it doesn’t.
6.   Research is fun and interesting, but not the main game.
7.   I keep my published works in my bookcase, but I’m thinking of moving them. They’re staring at me.
8.   On the day my first book was published, I had a glass of scotch and a good lie down.
9.   At the moment, I’m writing a novel. I’m not sure what it’s about yet, but I don’t think it’s a comedy.
10. When I’m stuck for an idea/word/phrase, I  walk the dog/take a shower/cook something. Works every time.

It’s fascinating to see that like Ron Elliott, Toni gets inspiration from the dog. (I am thinking of asking future authors for this series to supply a photo of the dog as well since they are clearly crucial to the writing process!)

Thanks for participating, Toni!

Author: Toni Jordan
Titles: Addition (2008) and Fall Girl (2010)
Publisher: Text Publishing, Melbourne.

PS Just in case you were wondering about my small inspirations, here they are: Sapphire (the Silky Terrier), and Chifley.  Cute, eh?

Update 17.3.2010

Not to be outdone by Sapphire and Chifley, here’s Myron – isn’t he gorgeous!
Thanks for adding him to what I hope will become a whole gallery of inspirational pooches and motley muses, Toni!