SPOTLIGHT ON… Momentum Books: Luke Preston

Luke Preston

Describe yourself in one word:
Angry

What is your background with regard to writing?
I can’t remember ever not writing. I started out with novels, merged into short films, feature films and back to novels. I have a Master’s Degree in Screenwriting from the Victorian College of the Arts and continue to write a couple of thousand words a day.

When did you first begin writing with a view of embarking on a career as a published author?
I have always been very business minded when it comes to writing. Everything I write has been intended to be seen through to the end. I only write feature films that I think are going to be produced and I only write novels that I am going to seek publication for. Although, it doesn’t always happen that way, there have been many films that are still in sitting in a pile of faded yellow papers and the same goes for a couple of novels that I wrote early on. Creative writing isn’t for me, I’m not even one hundred percent sure on what it exactly is. For me every word starts with the aim of being realised.

Tell us about the first book you wrote
The first book I wrote was titled, Naked Sunset and was comedic mystery set in the world of print media, about a news reporter who uncovers a match fixing scandal in Australian Rules Football. It didn’t sell but it was the book that taught me a great deal about how to write a book.

What is your writing routine?
I start at 8 AM and finish at 6 PM

Favourite snack whilst writing?
Caffeine.

If you weren’t writing, what would you be doing?
If I wasn’t writing I would be in the Rolling Stones or maybe AC/DC. Depends on which one has a better rider.

One thing you’d like readers to know about the romance genre…
That you can break rules like what the awesome Kylie Scott did with her zombie romance novels Flesh and Skin

Number one thing to do on your bucket list?
I want to ghost write the autobiography of Australia’s very own James Bond, George Lazenby. He had a killer private life and such a cool attitude. I’m surprised there’s nothing like it already in the marketplace.

Biggest accomplishment to date:
I just leant the opening riff to ‘Folsom Prison’ by Johnny Cash. I was pretty impressed with myself.

What’s next for you?
I’m busy chipping away at the next Tom Bishop Rampage. I’m having a lot of fun putting Bishop through the ringer as the poor bloke struggles to do the right thing.

 

Confessions of an Author:

Is there something we’d be shocked to know about you?
The 1980’s classic, Footloose is one of my favourite films… And for anyone who knows me, that’s probably not really a shock.

What do you find easiest to write? And, the hardest?
Depends on the day. Overall, it’s all hard. I do struggle to write things I don’t care about but I’m doing less and less of that now days.

Favourite travel experience?
All of them. I love travelling, experiencing new things and seeing the world through other people’s eyes. I’ve been lucky enough to visit most of the United States and many Asian countries and am looking forward to seeing Europe and the Middle East.

Favourite fictional character:
Tony Abbott. I still believe he is a comedian pulling the greatest satirical joke the world has ever seen.

Milk or dark chocolate?
Milk.

Red, white, bubbly?
Whiskey… or in an emergency, anything.

Salty or sweet?
Salty.

Beach or mountains?
Beach.

Give or receive?
Give.

 

Find Luke online:
Website
Twitter