Discover the Inspirations and Passions That Drive Sally Odgers’ Writing
Sally Odgers discusses her prolific writing career, inspirations from Tasmania, evolving interests, and offers advice for aspiring writers, highlighting her love for storytelling and the characters she creates.
Sally Odgers is a literary force to be reckoned with, having penned over 400 books across a multitude of genres. Her remarkable ability to weave captivating tales has enchanted readers of all ages, making her a beloved figure in the world of literature. Born and raised in the picturesque landscapes of Tasmania, Sally’s writing is imbued with the charm and tranquility of her surroundings. Her stories are not only a testament to her boundless imagination but also to her deep understanding of human nature and the world around her. From the delightful escapades of the Jack Russell Dog Detective series to the intricate genealogical mysteries in her Lark Westerly titles, Sally’s works are a treasure trove of creativity and insight.
In this exclusive interview with Reader’s House Magazine, Sally Odgers opens up about the inspirations and passions that fuel her prolific writing career. She shares anecdotes about her beloved Jack Russell Terriers, insights into her evolving interests, and the influence of Tasmania’s unique landscape on her storytelling. Sally also offers valuable advice for aspiring writers, drawing from her extensive experience as a manuscript assessor. Join us as we delve into the mind of this extraordinary author and explore the worlds she so masterfully creates.
With over 400 books to your name, your writing career has been incredibly prolific. What drives your passion for writing, and how do you maintain your creativity across such a wide range of genres and topics?
I love stories, especially those with interesting settings and characters who are proactive. I’ve been inventing stories since I was a child, and when I’m writing I feel the most me. I suspect that’s because I am far more in control of my fictional worlds than I ever feel in the real one.
The Jack Russell Dog Detective series has become quite popular. How did your own Jack Russell Terriers inspire these stories, and what qualities do you think make this breed such perfect protagonists for a detective series?
Jack Russells are curious, active and clever. We had a JRT named Ace, who was clever at figuring things out. We were walking one day when my husband said, “She’s a proper little detective.” By the end of that walk, we had designed our series. Jack Russell Dog Detective ran to twelve books. It was great fun.
You’ve mentioned that your interests are subject to change. How do these evolving interests influence your writing, and can you share an example of a project that was born from a newfound passion or curiosity?
New interests can work both ways. Sometimes, I give an interest to a character then get interested myself. Often, it’s the other way around. With fiction, I am able to explore interests and activities far more than I can in real life. As a comparatively recent example; when my grandchildren were born, I started a family tree. It was fascinating, and time-consuming, especially when I discovered that much of what my dad “knew” about his family was wrong. I had such fun with it that several of my characters became interested in genealogy. Two examples are Pippin Pearmain from the Performing Pippin Pearmain series (written under my pen name of Lark Westerly) and Dove Larren, who discovers startling information about her antecedents in Chateau of the Roses. (Another Lark Westerly title.) I often give my interests to characters who are much more talented than I am. For example, I love fabrics and unusual clothes, but I can’t sew. My character Skye Bakewell can, though. Rosanna Hopestill from Translations in Celadon is able to bring her imagination to life better than I can, and Rachel Traveller from Rachel Outward Bound has hyper focus which allows her to “see” things most people can’t. This is a development on my talent for “hearing” how dialogue would sound while I’m writing it.
As a manuscript assessor, you’ve had the opportunity to work closely with aspiring writers. What common challenges do you see in early manuscripts, and what advice would you give to new authors trying to refine their craft?
Common challenges include failing to take motivation into account and relying on spell checkers and grammar programs which often get things wrong. Getting the eye-level of young characters wrong is another one. I found so many common problems in my clients’ writing that I wrote a huge book called Everything You Want to Know About Writing and More, Much More which is designed to help writers to avoid the problems in the first place. I advise new writers to read that book and to work through the exercises.
You’ve been living in Tasmania your whole life. How has the unique landscape and culture of Tasmania influenced your writing, and do you find that it often seeps into your stories?
Tasmania has six cities, but I have always lived in the rural north west. I think growing up here gave me the space and time to concentrate on writing and to gain what I call mental furniture, because there weren’t many distractions. A lot of my books are set in country towns and in the country, and when I do set a book elsewhere it’s usually a place I know fairly well, such as Sydney, or else in one of my invented worlds.
You enjoy listening to audiobooks while walking your dogs. How does this form of storytelling compare to traditional reading for you, and has it influenced the way you approach writing your own books, particularly in terms of pacing and dialogue?
I like audiobooks because I can do other things while listening. This lets me get exercise and fresh air, or chop vegetables or pull weeds in the garden etc while still enjoying my reading fix. It also gives me a break from wearing reading glasses and sitting down. I don’t think it has influenced my writing, as such, because I had already been writing for decades before audiobooks were so accessible. I do regret that many of the older titles I love are not available in audio, but on the plus side, I have discovered new writers (to me) to enjoy. I also use an audio ap on my phone to listen to my own manuscripts or ebooks. Often my ear can pick up an error I might have missed otherwise.
Cover Photo by Darrel Odgers
EDITOR’S HIGHLIGHTS
Recommended reads for authors
