Sharon Hayhurst

1. Tell me about yourself.

I am a wife, mother, author and kindergarten teacher. I started University at 38 and graduated with a Diploma in Early Childhood Education three years later at age 40 while juggling work and two children. I live on a rural property in the North Island of New Zealand with my husband, Geoffrey, and an assortment of animals. I have a great sense of humour, a talent for attracting trouble and falling over my own feet. I often find the most mundane of situations hilariously entertaining, which can get me into trouble. I am very curious about exploring other countries and cultures when I can.

2. Synopsis of your book in one sentence.

A chronicle of one family’s travel disasters, loaded with hilarious laugh out loud escapades as they stumble through Canada, Europe, Southeast Asia and Oman, flinging sausages and car parts, evading jails, abduction, wild coyotes and the Mafia.

3. Is this a series?

Yes, this is the first book in the `Never A Dull Moment’ series.

4. Why did you write this book?

I have always loved to write down and share my humour with others, keeping journals or writing blogs while travelling. I have stories swirling around and forming in my head that I often just need to get down on paper. But the main inspiration for getting this book published, was to leave my children a lasting memory of the fun times and laughs we had together as a family. When I’m gone they can look back and laugh at our escapades and their silly Mother.

5. Of all the beautiful places you have been to, which one is your favourite?

I have a few, but I would have to pick Rocca Calascio where we stayed in the hill top village Rifugio Della Rocca Hotel in the Abruzzo, Italy. I loved it because we were staying in an abandoned village that is gradually being restored with accommodation dotted around the village houses nestled just below the castle fortress of Rocca Calascio. It was like we had stepped back in time, stone buildings, swirling mists, a castle, a cat and a fox. It was magical and mysterious.

6.What message or lessons did you want your readers to take from this book?

Try to see the humour in situations where things go wrong, having a positive attitude will get you through most situations. This world is amazing, people are amazing, get out there and explore. Please don’t put travel off until the kids are older or you retire, or you have more money, if you do, it may never happen, life tends to get in the way.

7. Are you writing, at the moment?

Yes, I am working on the next book in the series called `The Misadventures of Denise’. This takes the reader on a fun romp through life with me and my family to new destinations and calamities. We seem to run into more than our fair share of strife and scrapes where ever we go.

8. If you are not writing, what are you doing?

Probably causing mischief somewhere. If I am not at work teaching Pre-Schoolers, my favourite place to be is in my garden or with my family or friends.

9. What is your advice to emerging Indie authors?

Don’t give up, believe in yourself, but seek professional help to edit your book and produce a professional book that you will be proud of. I recommend Ant Press.

10. What are you currently reading?

Eyrie by Award Winning Australian author Tim Winton, it is the second time I have read it, that and his book `Cloudstreet’ stay with you, gripping books.

11. If you were a flower, fruit or a vegetable, what would you want to be and why?

An olive, because I’m nutty, have a high oil content and a solid, leathery outer layer!