Annie O’Moon-Browning is a Meeanjin-Brisbane author of Australian fiction. Her love of her fellow human, her sensitivity to our journeys and her delight in discovering what emerges, infuse her writing with intrigue. Her power as storyteller comes from her magical Celtic-Jewish heritage, her immersion into the counterculture of the 1970’s and her lifetime of writing.
Annie is a short story narrator, poet and chronicler of all things human. She loves to dance Tango, couldn’t do without her monthly book and writers’ groups, and is addicted to literary genius. Wherever possible she travels to exotic and wild locations to indulge her passion for culture, landscapes and the inspiration they impart to her writing.
What inspired you to be a writer?
Since a young child, I have loved the written word. Every Saturday, our family piled into the old FJ Holden and trundled down to our local library. Hours later, and furnished with more story books than we could carry, we would return home to read the afternoon away. Our mother refused us the joy of a TV as she had determined that our young minds would be far better off with books.
My earliest story was written at the precocious age of 13. A short fiction about the life of a young girl in the 1800’s. Me and my bestie were particularly chuffed when our teacher praised us in front of the whole class. This with my dear parent’s enthusiasm for anything literary, plus their delight in my imaginative dinner table storytelling, inspired me forward.
My book shelves are lined with my journals. All embracing the adventures of my life, short stories, poetry, erotica and dreams. I am a second-generation author. Inspired by my father’s journey to publication in 1979, I decided it was time to follow suite. Rosanna is my first full length fiction.
What prompted you to write 'Rosanna'?
Rosanna arose from my need to create a novel that portrayed others journeys. From the deepest challenges to the most sublime joys, people have shared their lives with me. This allowed me to infuse Rosanna with a rich tapestry of the human experience.
Do you have any more books in the pipeline?
I am currently researching my Lutruwita-Tasmanian heritage for my next novel. This is based on the turbulent private life and political corruption of my ancestors in Nipaluna-Hobart in the 1800’s. I am also Genre bending into children’s stories.
What is your professional background?
I am a counsellor, lecturer, natural health professional, yoga teacher and abstract artist. My career has spanned many decades and involved public speaking, research and curriculum development.
Any advice you’d like to give aspiring writers?
Real writers don’t write, they write anyway.
No-one can tell a writer what to write, except the writer.
Snobbery kills creativity. Embrace your critics, but don’t let their opinion kill your writerly joy.
No-one can tell you how to write, only how they write.
To write well, get yourself out of your comfort zone.
Write the story you want to tell.
Never chuck out your ‘shitty-first-copy’. It’s gold.
And write every day. No matter what!
Who/what inspires you?
I am inspired by …
The common simple stories of every human. The poets of ancient times who show us the importance of every experience, good or bad. The global stories of humanitarian leaders. And life in all its wondrous and challenging ways.
What are your hobbies, interests and favourite books?
I am besotted with my honey bees, have a weird connection to my solo chicken, who pecks at my red toenails and seems to think she can sleep in my bed! I am obsessed with organic gardening and anything that loves up our planet. I am totally addicted to Tango and jealous of anyone who looks better than me on the floor! I call myself an emerging abstract artist, but seriously? Is that what I create?! And I love my fellow humans with a passion.
My favourite authors and books.
Richard Flannigan. ‘The Long Road to the Deep North’.
Anthony Doerr. ‘All the Light we Cannot See’.
Heather Rose ‘Bruny.’ ‘Nothing Bad ever Happens Here.’ ‘The Museum of Modern Love.’
Deborah Dank ‘We come with This Place’.
Hannah Kent ‘Devotion.’
How can readers contact you?
Email: annieombauthor@gmail.com
Instagram: annieomoonbrowningauthor
Facebook: Annie O’Moon-Browning
Contact via: Hawkeye Contact Page
