Click Here To Purchase From Amazon Bungi Gungi

Today, Norm Goldman, Publisher & Editor of Bookpleasures.com is pleased to have as our guest, CC Mandl author of Bungi Gungi.

Good day CC and thanks for participating in our interview:

Norm:

When did your passion for writing begin? What keeps you going?

CC: 

A passion for reading grabbed me as soon as I figured out how to make sense of all those letters. Then I discovered how to arrange them to suit myself. My father once asked us what we would do with one wish - I replied that I would wish for the biggest bookshop in the world. 

On Sundays he would take us to the corner shop to buy comics, and I would stand there in awe, looking up the rows of fresh new stories strung up on lines from wall to wall.  That smell; that promise of pleasure - it was almost too much to bear.  I also hung out in second hand bookshops for hours.  Drawing was the first step towards writing however.  Illustration work, cartoons, precision drawing, surrealism, airbrushing etc.  I think writing was a natural progression.

What keeps me going is that the possibilities are endless.  There is so much of life to record, so much of the imagination to explore, and so much pleasure to absorb. 

Norm:

I noticed you reside in South Africa. Do you believe that South African authors are different than their North American counter-parts?  As a follow up, has your environment and/or upbringing influenced your writing?

CC: 

South Africa is a strange place - most people here have an identity crisis at the best of times.  To maintain individuality while writing is like wading through a syrup swamp. 

There are many influences from other countries and it can be easier to follow others than to push on with strong self-conviction.  Although I had a relatively sheltered upbringing, as a child in the apartheid era I witnessed violence and cruelty.  I’m not comfortable spelling out exactly what it is I want the reader to see; I use the power of suggestion as it engages a person’s thoughts to imagine the scene as they will.  I try to tickle enough curiosity for them to become involved in the story and extract what they need.

Norm:

In your acknowledgements you thank Georgi for ordering you to write the first page. Could you comment further?

CC: 

Georgi had experience in the publishing business, and was introduced to me by a friend to bounce the idea of my story around.  What happened was, I had barely finished telling her the gist of it before she bombarded me with questions and ordered me to write that first page.  She spent the next three months by my side coaxing the words out of me, and then she disappeared.  Her confidence in me was incredible.

Norm:

How did you decide you were ready to write Bungi Gungi? How did you know when you finished the book?

CC: 

A series of traumatic events over the years pushed me to that point.  It was the death of my daughter that gave birth to this book.  I knew I had done with the book when I could take a deep breath and smile.  It took ten years.

Norm:

How did you come up with the title, Bungi Gungi?

CC: 

At a low point in my life, being constantly depressed, I made a drunken decision to Bungi jump, half hoping that the cord would break as I took off.  I did it twice and it saved my life - I began a long journey to recovery.  The Gungi part was my subconscious awakening to who I was.  And because I could draw what my head came up with, it took on a life of its own.

Norm:

How did you develop the plot and characters? Did you use any set formula?

CC: 

There was no set form I followed, except to use much of the daily business of living and the memories and imagination of my childhood - the plot and characters were always there, lurking away.

Norm:

What's the most difficult thing for you about being a writer?

CC: 

To have to suddenly switch off at midday to attend to the duties of a wife and mother.  It’s hard - and I’m probably schizophrenic at this stage.

Norm:

What has been your overall experience as a published author? As a follow up, what did you enjoy most about writing Bungi Gungi?

CC: 

The odd thing is I don’t feel like an ‘Author.’ I do feel hugely embarrassed sometimes when I become the center of attention because of my book - for me it was more of a purging than a concerted effort to become a celebrated author.  I enjoyed writing Bungi Gungi because I found freedom of expression and a new medium of art.

Norm:

What has your experience been like with self- publishing? Do you recommend it over traditional publishers?
 
CC: 

Self-publishing was a conscious decision because I have always loathed other people telling me what to do.  It worked for me.  The cover artwork is mine too, and the little Gungi in the back.  I tried to be as meticulous as I could and followed the guidelines set out - it was nerve-wracking at times and a lot of swearing and crying happened.  But, it was worth it.  I don’t know whether I could recommend traditional publishers or not because self-publishing was not a rebound trip from being rejected by them - I just didn’t have the patience to wait for someone to make the decision to publish my book or not.

Norm:

Any unique ways you'll be marketing your book that is different from how others authors market their books?

CC: 

The one thing about marketing that always put me off buying certain books, is the ‘in your face’ approach.  As soon as I read Please Buy Me and Get a free Sticker or something, I avoid it like the plague.  I think creating an awareness of my book without sticking it up someone’s nose would be the way to go - Bungi Gungi has a loud voice.  We shall see.  I’m still feeling my way around.

Norm:

Are you working on any books/projects that you would like to share with us? (We would love to hear all about them!)

CC:

 I started my second a couple of years ago; the ideas are crowding around waiting to be let out - although, I have in mind another one that is a combination of fantasy stories and artwork knitted together.  Don’t know yet which one I’ll pursue first!

Norm:

Where can our readers find out more about you and Bungi Gungi and is there anything else you wish to add that we have not covered?

CC: 

The Trafford on-line bookstore has my reference card, and my URL is: myspace.com/bungigungithenovel    

Norm:

Thanks once again and good luck with all of your future endeavours.

CC:  Thank you for your good wishes.

Click Here To Purchase From Amazon Bungi Gungi

To read Norm's Review of Bungi Gungi CLICK HERE