Who is John Byrnes?
A hopelessly confused mass of contradictions. My hobbies are gluttony and sloth but I exercise every day. I drink too much, smoke the odd sneaky cigarette, eat crap food, and constantly worry about my health.
I can be loud, opinionated and obnoxious, and then worry that I might have upset someone or hurt someone’s feelings. I enjoy Rugby League, punting, drinking, and art-deco glassware. 99% of my life goes on between my ears. I come across as confident but it’s all an act.
What would you do differently from what you do now?
My days consist of early morning walks/running along the coastal paths bordering the cliffs and beaches at Port Macquarie. Then I sit down at the surf club café, have a coffee and read a book for a while. I get home around nine, do a little work, then listen to music and write my books until about midday.
I like to eat pies and sausage rolls and watch true crime documentaries on Youtube at lunchtime. In the afternoon I might write some more. Do a little more work. Or nothing much at all. There is very little I would do differently.
Who inspires you and why?
I’ve thought about this for three days and I can’t think of a single person who has ever inspired me to do anything. We are all flawed in our own special ways.
What would you do to make a difference in the world?
Take a few deserving souls with me when I go.
Favourite holiday destination and why?
I don’t really do holidays. If I never get on a plane again, I will be happy. Although, I did have a good time in Canberra a few years back. Went to all the big national galleries and ate out three meals a day. Hobart is pretty good. I like the vibe.
When friends come to town, what attraction would you take them to, and why?
The surf club café at Town Beach. Sit in the sun, drink coffee, and watch the whales migrating. Then go to the pub.
What are you currently reading?
John Jakes – California Gold. I don’t know if I’m really enjoying it. I found it in the local library and the back cover blurb made it sound epic and interesting, but it is all rather predictable in a 1970’s TV mini-series sort of way.
The characters are pretty much your standard stereotypes. It is very well written though (as far as I can tell). Short scenes keep it moving along at a good pace. It’s 900 pages long (a great big lump of a thing) so there’s a better than even chance I won’t finish it.
What are you currently listening to?
Weirdly disjointed YouTube algorithm created playlists based on my ‘likes’. I just happen to be listening as I write these responses. The pending queue is: Teardrop – Massive Attack, Get a Grip on Yourself – The Stranglers, The Numbers – Radiohead, Me Suive – La Femme, Planet Caravan – Black Sabbath. Make of that what you will.
Happiness is?
Someone loving you as much as you love them.
What does the future hold for you?
High blood-pressure. Diabetes. Maybe dementia.
John is the Author of Sins of the Father – which is published by Pan Macmillan Australia and is available from all leading book sellers including QBD Books.
Image: John Byrnes (supplied)