“My earliest memories of my life time of writing was during the polio epidemic around 1949. It was a bit scary, theatres and public meeting places were closed, likewise the Papakura School where I was just twelve years old. We were all put on home correspondence and the papers all came to us via the post. One of our papers asked us to write a short poem. I had no trouble with that and can still remember the verse which at the time drew attention from the teaching staff. It went: The birds and the bees and the murmuring trees Are calling me out to play But I can’t go as well you know For I’ve got to do school work today… Besides writing, the piano is my best friend and the ivories get a tickle most days. I am 80 years old now, but my favourite hobby still is flying small aircraft. My favourite sport is squash, and I really enjoy fishing. As for writing, well this morning I managed 2000 words towards my sixth novel. Most, if not all my writing is done at my home office desk, early mornings – 4-9am seems to be my best time for getting it all done. The best part of writing for me, is coming up with a good story and getting it right, and of course there is the great satisfaction in re-reading the finished manuscript which at times I find hard to believe I wrote. Then once it is out there on the shelves and the readers’ feedback drifts back, that’s the thrill of it all. I’m sure I’ll keep on writing for years to come. I always write with a movie in mind and look forward to seeing some of my books on the big screen and that would be the ultimate prize for me!” Interview with Colin Crump. February 28, 2017
