Meet Camac Johnson, Author of Klipspringer Hill: A Tale of Kalahari
I grew up in Northern Ireland – a wonderful place for youngsters interested in nature. There are mountains, rivers, lakes and a beautiful and varied coastline of rugged cliffs and sandy beaches. My father was an expert fly-fisherman and I held a rod in my hands before I learned to use a pen. I birdwatched and played rugby and golf.
I wanted to see Africa by driving overland to South Africa. But the Rhodesian Bush War/ Zimbabwean Independence War was at its height and so I chose the next best option: the sea route. My first glimpse of Africa was Table Mountain at daybreak.
Farm management work brought me my first experiences with snakes. Fascinating creatures – they feature in my forthcoming illustrated children’s novel Klipspringer Hill. I ran my own food processing business before taking up a contract in Saudi Arabia. A spell selling property in Tenerife followed, before a move back to the UK, near London. I’m an aficionado of Ernest Hemingway, man and writer. And my knowledge of social upheavals in Africa and Northern Ireland has inspired some of my fiction writing.(www.independentauthornetwork.com)
BBB: What inspired you to become a writer?
CJ: I used to go with my mother to the public library to choose books for the family. Books were important in our household. One day I read a mediocre novel and thought I could do better.
I wanted to see Africa by driving overland to South Africa. But the Rhodesian Bush War/ Zimbabwean Independence War was at its height and so I chose the next best option: the sea route. My first glimpse of Africa was Table Mountain at daybreak.
Farm management work brought me my first experiences with snakes. Fascinating creatures – they feature in my forthcoming illustrated children’s novel Klipspringer Hill. I ran my own food processing business before taking up a contract in Saudi Arabia. A spell selling property in Tenerife followed, before a move back to the UK, near London. I’m an aficionado of Ernest Hemingway, man and writer. And my knowledge of social upheavals in Africa and Northern Ireland has inspired some of my fiction writing.(www.independentauthornetwork.com)
BBB: What inspired you to become a writer?
CJ: I used to go with my mother to the public library to choose books for the family. Books were important in our household. One day I read a mediocre novel and thought I could do better.
BBB: How did you come up with the idea for Klipspringer Hill?
CJ: I love nature, wild creatures. While managing farms in South Africa, I encountered snakes. A colleague kept an African egg-eater snake in his home. Many years later the story idea came to me: egg-eater snake is drawn to a chicken farm.
BBB: Tell us about your main character.
CJ: Little Squirt is a young egg-eater. When we first meet him he’s small and inexperienced. He has friends – other animals that live around Klipspringer Hill. When his dad goes missing he is forced to learn quickly. He develops drive and determination. Bravely he sets forth to search for his dad. He faces danger and hardship. By the end of the story he has matured into a dominant character.
BBB: What do you think readers will enjoy most about your book?
CJ: The animal characters. Most people who think of the Kalahari think of meerkats, those cute members of the mongoose family. My focus is on other creatures: aardvark, klipspringer antelope, honey badger, springhare, leguaan, caracal, and many more. Hopefully, the book will be educational as well as providing a satisfying reading experience.
CJ: I love nature, wild creatures. While managing farms in South Africa, I encountered snakes. A colleague kept an African egg-eater snake in his home. Many years later the story idea came to me: egg-eater snake is drawn to a chicken farm.
BBB: Tell us about your main character.
CJ: Little Squirt is a young egg-eater. When we first meet him he’s small and inexperienced. He has friends – other animals that live around Klipspringer Hill. When his dad goes missing he is forced to learn quickly. He develops drive and determination. Bravely he sets forth to search for his dad. He faces danger and hardship. By the end of the story he has matured into a dominant character.
BBB: What do you think readers will enjoy most about your book?
CJ: The animal characters. Most people who think of the Kalahari think of meerkats, those cute members of the mongoose family. My focus is on other creatures: aardvark, klipspringer antelope, honey badger, springhare, leguaan, caracal, and many more. Hopefully, the book will be educational as well as providing a satisfying reading experience.
BBB: How can reader's connect with you?
CJ:
www.facebook.com/camac.johnson
www.twitter.com/camac_johnson (underdash between the names)
www.camacjohnson.blogspot.co.uk
CJ:
www.facebook.com/camac.johnson
www.twitter.com/camac_johnson (underdash between the names)
www.camacjohnson.blogspot.co.uk
