Donna Goodacre is the Author of the Week

Donna Goodacre, who is of Tainui descent, is a retired high school/correctional centre/vocational school English and Foreign Languages teacher. Her career spanned some forty years in New Zealand and Australia. Finding Miriama is her first novel, having started it in 2018, when family members convinced her that her ancestors’ story, if told well, could make an interesting read. Five years of historical research later, coupled with a little poetic licence and imagination, the novel was completed. The sequel, Of Greenstone and Violins, is due out in 2025.

Donna still divides her time between her birthplace in Tauranga, New Zealand, and Brisbane, Australia, where her close family lives. In both places she can be found on a beach or somewhere small and intimate listening to live jazz.

Hello Donna, welcome to BrandEducation! What themes or messages do you hope readers will take away from your work?

The message I initially began with revolved around the importance of family, as I was writing for my children.  Since expanding from a memoir to a novel I have moved towards the importance of chasing your dreams and being true to yourself. My characters are all on a journey of self-discovery.

Are there any specific authors or books that have influenced your writing style or storytelling?

I take my inspiration from many different authors, from Charles Dickens for his storytelling, to Kate Morton for her style. I love the way Kate uses time and place and leaves the reader guessing until the end. I also enjoy J.P. Pomare for his complex plot twists.

How do you develop your characters? Do you draw inspiration from real people or experiences?

My characters are all based on real people, most of whom were and are a part of my family. Therefore it hasn’t been difficult to develop them. I’ve had to use artistic licence when it comes to conversation, which I enjoy. As far as experiences go, I write about what I know and combine that with lots of research.

What do you enjoy doing when you’re not writing?

In my past life I was a weekend musician in rural NSW, Australia. That’s how I met my husband Neil, who played drums at the time. He recruited me as a bass player. Now he plays trumpet in jazz bands and we try to get to as many jazz concerts as we can, wherever we are.

What challenges have you faced as a writer, and how have you overcome them?

The main challenge I have faced is Time, as I’m sure many writers would understand. Now that I’ve retired from paid work, that problem no longer exists. Today my main challenge is Promotion. To get around that I enlist the help of as many people more knowledgeable than myself as I can. It’s a steep learning curve, but I’m getting there.

Are there any particular genres or topics you enjoy writing about the most?

My favourite genre is Historical Fiction, mainly because I’ve always loved research. When I was younger I didn’t have the slightest interest in the past, but now I can’t get enough of it. It’s probably part of getting older.

Do you have a favourite character from your own books?

If so, who is it and why? Even though my first book revolves around Miriama, my great great grandmother, who was a strong Māori woman, the more I wrote, the more I came to respect Catherine, the English wife of Captain Greenwood. Both women had to face adversity and both came out triumphant, which was not easy in the 1800s.

Can you discuss the role of research in your writing? How do you ensure accuracy in your work?

Research is central to my stories, and because they are based on fact and involve real people, I have to be careful to get everything right. I’m always aware that there are readers out there who probably know more than I do about certain topics. Apart from an initial Google search, I often use reliable sources such as Papers Past, Trove, the Te Ara encyclopedia and Ancestry.com

What advice do you have for aspiring authors who are looking to get their first book published?

I would advise them to write the best book they possibly can, which means enlisting the help of others such as beta readers and editors, before they submit it for publishing, whether that’s traditional or self-publishing. Also attend events such as book fairs and other events where you can meet other authors. Don’t be discouraged if you get rejections or low sales at first. Very few people have found fame and fortune from one book. Just enjoy the process, doing what you love.

Do you have any upcoming projects or future writing plans?

Now that I have begun to reap the benefits of my five-year writing process with Finding Miriama, I’m excited to say I will launch the sequel, Of Greenstone and Violins, in early 2025. This book has taken one year, because I have more time and a lot more experience. My aim now is to write a trilogy, because two just won’t be enough.

How do you handle writers block or periods of low motivation?

I didn’t experience writers block with my first book because the story was already there for me to write. However with this present one I’ve had to be much more creative and have had times where I had no idea where I was going. My solution has been to put it aside and to do something totally unrelated to writing. I quite often solve problems in my story when I drive. My brain must still be working in the background, but my main focus is on the road (hopefully). I also dream plot twists, which can be totally ridiculous, but not always. 

What role do you believe literature plays in shaping society and culture?

Throughout the ages we have told stories, whether in writing or orally, that have been used to guide people on their life journeys. Today it seems young people are becoming more interested in reading a variety of genres, which fortunately are more available to them than when I was younger. That has to be a good thing for society and the future of our planet.

Find out more about Donna at: https://www.donnagoodacre-writer.nz and https://www.instagram.com/donnagoodacreauthor