S04 E11 John van der Ruit

Loading player...

Spud is back! John van der Ruit is the record-smashing, best-selling author of the SPUD series of books, as well as an actor and playwright.

John joins Fiona Snyckers and Gail Schimmel to talk about what it was like finding the voice of an older Spud after all these years.

He gives great tips about writing a comic novel, and explains how it is not enough to write funny scenes - your novel has to have comedic bones.

We were delighted to catch John at the beginning of his Spud book tour.

For more details about the books, movies, series, and podcasts that are discussed on the show, sign up for our weekly newsletter.

Fiona and Gail would love to hear from you. Please join the conversation!
Email: hiddenlivesofwriters@gmail.com
Instagram: @thehiddenlivesofwriterspod
Twitter: @hiddenwriterpod
YouTube: The Hidden Lives of Writers
Threads: @thehiddenlivesofwriters
Facebook discussion group: The Hidden Lives of Writers

18 Nov 2024 English South Africa Books · Arts

Other recent episodes

S06 E06 Zibu Sithole

Zibu Sithole is the popular and multi-award-nominated author of the ZOLA trilogy of novels. The final novel in the trilogy LOVE, ZOLA is published by Pan Macmillan and is in bookstores right now. Zibu joins Fiona Snyckers and Gail Schimmel to talk about why she feels it is her duty…

13 Oct 1 hr 02 min

S06 E05 Tony Park

Tony Park is the bestselling author of multiple series and standalone novels set in southern Africa. DIE BY THE SWORD is out right now, published by Pan Macmillan. Tony joins Fiona Snyckers and Gail Schimmel to talk about the origin of his special relationship with the southern African bush. He…

6 Oct 1 hr 21 min

S06 E04 Onke Mazibuko

Onke Mazibuko is the award-winning author of the coming-of-age novel THE SECOND VERSE and the whistleblower thriller CANARY, both published by Penguin Random House. Onke joins Fiona Snyckers and Gail Schimmel to talk about growing up in the early days of liberation in South Africa, and the influence of rap…

29 Sep 1 hr 12 min

S06 E03 Bonnie Espie

Bonnie Espie is the author of this year's sleeper hit novel MAKING A KILLING, as well as several short stories. Bonnie joins Fiona Snyckers and Gail Schimmel to talk about making her publishing dreams come true, and the role that writing workshops and support groups have played in her success…

22 Sep 57 min

S06 E02 Marina Auer

Marina Auer is the author of the thrilling and highly successful series of medical suspense novels, including DOUBLE EDGED, SINGLE MINDED, and most recently THREE ECHOES, which is now available from Kwela. Marina joins Fiona Snyckers and Gail Schimmel to talk about drawing on real-life experiences for inspiration, and how…

15 Sep 1 hr 09 min

All episodes