Q & A with Robert Hunt

1. What was your first piece in print (book, review, or article, etc)?

My (ours, with my co-author, Lisa Ivany from Gander) was a Christmas book called Christmas Memories of Newfoundland & Labrador. It sold quite successfully and encouraged both of us to write another novel together and then to eventually go it alone.

2. When do you like to write (time of day, day of week)? Where do you do your writing (location)?

I love to write around noontime, and I write mostly during the weekends. I have a favourite area and walking trail that I go to, and I compose much of my work while walking on it. Approximately fifty percent of my writing is done this way, while walking and running.

3. What other jobs have you had besides being a writer?

I worked at Coca-Cola for twenty-five years, then as a Student Loans officer at a private school for several years. I am now presently working at the St. John’s International Airport, and when I retire within a few more years, I am hoping to devote a majority of my time to writing. 

4. What do you like to do in your free time?

Part of my free time is spent in volunteer work, and I also enjoy walking and running. Keeping in shape, to me, is a major part of getting older.

5. What kind of music do you listen to?

Ah, bring back the ’60s and ’70s, now that was what music was all about! Roy Orbison, Elvis Presley, anything musical from that era.

6. What is your favourite movie(s)?

Most definitely The Shawshank Redemption.

7. What is your favourite book(s)?

I really have no favourite books, though John Grisham’s book The Testament comes to mind as one of my favourites. My reading is widespread. I read mostly the works of all writers who write about Newfoundland and Labrador. I especially loved the books of Captain Bob Bartlett and his voyages to the Arctic. My favourite author of all has to be John Grisham. 

8. What are you reading now?

I switch back and forth from Newfoundland authors to Canadian and US authors. I am presently reading Kate Wilheim’s Death Qualified, a murder/trial mystery.

9. What character from your book(s) is the most like you? What one would you most like to be?

One of my favourite stories that I wrote is in an upcoming book and is called “Callie’s Run.” It is a dream of mine to run the Boston Marathon. In this story, I run it to honour a young girl from Harbour Grace who has passed away from a serious illness. It is one of my favourite pieces of writing, as when I wrote it, I actually felt like I was participating in the marathon.

10. Make a question of your own and then answer it.