Paul de Guingand sits down with Little Steps

March 4th, 2024

Tell us about yourself – where did you grow up?

Grew up in Melbourne, and lived most of my life here, apart from a year each in Tokyo, Newcastle, Perth, and for several years in Tasmania.
I travelled a lot for my first career in the merchant navy, and then again in my main and very different career as a manager of logistics. I did this in several different roles – including heading up supply chain for everyone’s favourite store - Bunnings.

Describe your writing style in one sentence?

I like rhythms in verse, and try to put together evocative descriptions in fun rhymes, that bumble and jumble along in telling a story.

Tell us about your book?

Deb (my wife) and I were out bushwalking and enjoying the bush, but reflecting on some of the challenges that many young people have about their own self image and self worth.
We then wondered if animals might ever envy another animals ability to fly, jump, burrow or swim – and whether they ever wished they were themselves something else.
The idea of The Buffalemu, was simply built on that – an emu that felt uncomfortable in her own skin, and wished she was bigger, tougher, and better – so that other animals would like and respect her more…
I wanted to gently tell a story that wove a little adventure of discovering self worth, and mates helping mates.

Who has influenced you the most in your writing?

I feel that what I write is inspired most by imagining Banjo Patterson and Dr Seuss sharing a nice bottle of red wine, and discussing the Australian outback.

If you could take one book away with you to a desert island which book would lit be?

I read very widely, so I find one book extremely difficult to consider. I have therefore stretched this to be a series (or two): Patrick O’Brian’s series of 20 books – Master and Commander, or Lois McMaster Bujold’s series – the Vorkosigan series.
If it had to be just one book, I’d make it a big one, so Lord of the Rings…

Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?

Just start, and make it about something that interests you. If someone, somewhere, likes it, then you have succeeded.

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