Today we want to introduce you to another one of Mamamia’s better known readers – Tara Moss.
She’s an author. She’s a model. And in this interview she answers questions about sexism, breastfeeding and what it takes to write a sell-out novel.
MM: You started modelling as a teenager before moving into your writing career. Lately you’ve started blogging and have appeared on Q&A and in writers’ festivals – do you ever find people make assumptions about you and your intelligence, based on the fact that your career started in modelling?
TM: Stereotypes about models certainly affected my early publishing career – I was even dared to take a polygraph test to prove that I write my own novels – but 13 years and 8 novels later it isn’t much of an issue. I’ve also found that blogging allows me to express myself and reach people directly in ways that were not available to me earlier in my career. I’m fortunate that I have the platform that I do, so that those negative stereotypes have less power.
MM: You’ve done some quite hands-on research in preparation for writing your books, including being choked unconscious and being set on fire. Why do you feel it’s so important to take your research to these extremes? Is there anything you’ve said no to, or aren’t willing to do in the name of research?
TM: I will do just about anything to get a story right. I always weigh up the potential risks before I engage in any hands on research. I’m not keen to hurt myself, so I take calculated risks. To me, nothing can replace lived-in experience and those scenes in each of my novels jump off the page. Research is a big part of my inspiration as a writer and I have something of an obsession with facts and authenticity. Even my paranormal series is filled with research of ancient mythology and folklore.
Top Comments
Tara is such an inspiration! - As a woman, mother and author.
And I'm thinking I might have to check out Jaquie E... It might just fit me too...
How dare you talk about Tara's earlier modelling career when she is an accomplished author now. Someone would have stormed out of the interview if they were in her spot.
Ha, nice :)