I am happy sticking within the middle grade / kids area – but within that I am trying to branch out and do a variety of genres

R. G. Cordiner – 30 October 2014

What a pleasant time I had interviewing the author that disposed of one of my very close friends in Bug Island.  If you enjoy reading to your children, please check out Robert’s books, they are fun and well written.  Actually, even if you don’t have children, they are still fun to read. 

Out of this entire interview, this will be the most important question.  Are you a coffee drinker?

Definitely – it is essential

If yes, what is your favorite, if not, what gets you going in the morning?

We have one of those pod systems – makes a lot less mess – so I make a soy cappuccino each morning

You write specifically Children’s books.  What got you interested in that genre?

As a primary school teacher, I found that there were not that many books that were easy to read aloud to my class. I was looking for action packed books with lots of cliffhangers – so I ended up writing my own

Have you written any other genre?

No

Would you like to try your hand at another genre

I am happy sticking within the middle grade / kids area – but within that I am trying to branch out and do a variety of genres – fairy tales, horror, pirates, sci fi – next I am doing fantasy – so it allows me a great degree of flexibility

Let’s talk about your favorite character of all of your books, who is it and why?

That’s tricky – I like all the characters – if I was forced – Emily from Candy Wars as she is resilient and tough and undergoes a lot of changes – l like the way she reacts to adversity

How many books have you written in your career?

6 – Candy Wars I, Candy Wars II, Treasure Lost I, Treasure Lost II, Alien Hunters, and Bug Island

What do you do for leisure or entertainment?

My wife and I like to cook, read, go for walks, play with the dog, travel.

How would your friends describe you, in one word?

Generous

How would you describe yourself, in one word?

Unusual

Tell me the ONE character in your books that is the most like you. You can only pick ONE, no cheating.

Peter in Treasure Lost – level headed – tries to think everything through (which doesn’t always work!)

What were you like as a child?

Annoying! – very active, busy, always questioning

What were your childhood dreams?

To be a newsreader

You got me, what is a Newsreader?

The people that read the news on TV – that’s what we call them here in Australia – I think you call them newscasters?

Who is your real life hero?

My wife

Awwwww..That is so sweet, Why?

Because she puts up with me!  No seriously – she is the most patient, kind hearted person I know with a great sense of humour

What would be your best achievement to date?

Being a teacher and having a chance to positively influence young minds

Have you ever been banned from a public place? 

No – but I’ve been banned from a private place

Ohhhhhh…tell us about being banned from a private place?  What did you DO?  Never mind, don’t answer that, let’s keep your readers guessing and wondering what you are REALLY like. 

If you had a warning label, what would yours say?

May induce vomiting

Does this have anything to do with you being banned from a private place?  No wait, you are going to keep us guessing, aren’t you?

Whats the craziest thing you’ve ever done for someone?

I asked my wife to marry me on a clifftop using a jigsaw puzzle

What is a Cliffton?

A cliff top – it was a table on top of a cliff overlooking the ocean

When did you first, without hesitation, call yourself an author?

I don’t call myself an author even now – still hesitate.  Maybe after a few more books …

You ARE an author, and a darned good one.  Thank you so much for the interview, it was a blast. 

You can get Mr. Cordiner’s books from Amazon US, Amazon UK, or Barnes and Noble.