The Author
Margaret Allis
Born in the UK in 1959 I came with my family to New Zealand by ship in 1962, where we eventually settled in Auckland.
I trained in physiotherapy, and later in hypnotherapy and neuro-linguistic programming.
I have worked as a personal support and health advocate.
My husband and I raised six children in Devonport, Auckland. I help my husband manage a charitable trust that has an interest in funding overseas water projects, community development and prevention and rehabilitation of victims of trafficking/modern slavery.
In 2011, I graduated with a Master’s degree in creative writing at the Auckland University of Technology.
Conversations on Craft
"I have collected stories from observing and listening to people's life stories and I've blended truth with fiction to create a story. Sometimes an idea comes from the first line as it pops into my head followed by a character and events that develop as the writing takes place."
Have you done any writing courses?"Many years ago I did a short writing course at a night class, and then in 2011 I completed a masters in creative writing at AUT (Auckland University of Technology). Long Thin Strands was my thesis."
What genre do you prefer to write?"So far I have enjoyed writing short fiction, and short stories, but I am hoping to complete a novel which I am currently writing."
What appeals to you about the short story genre?"I love the way a short story can introduce an idea/character that elicits more thoughts from the reader beyond the written word. Words are economically employed to create a picture/metaphor/beginning of an idea, to take the reader beyond the written narrative and into the mind of the reader. Many short stories have themes of loneliness and human struggles. Long Thin Strands has connected stories similar to our lives in our communities, and our global interconnectedness."