Kathy Mexted is a writer, photographer and editor of Airsport magazine. She learned to fly thirty years ago and flies light planes from her farm in Victoria.
Kathy Mexted is also the author of a brand new book called Australian Women Pilots: Amazing true stories of women in the air, and she’s on the blog today to answer our Ten Terrifying Questions! Read on …
Kathy Mexted
1. To begin with, why don’t you tell us a little bit about yourself – where were you born? Raised? Schooled?
Finley, NSW from 0-18
2. What did you want to be when you were twelve, eighteen and thirty? And why?
12 – chopper pilot after watching Skippy the Bush Kangaroo. 18 – I wanted to work out bush to escape my city job. 30 – a photographer because I realised that people actually get to do that as a ‘job’!
3. What strongly held belief did you have at eighteen that you do not have now?
That I wasn’t capable of learning to fly a chopper, that I’d be a good jillaroo, and that photography is a hobby.
4. What were three works of art – film, book or piece of music, etc – you can now say, had a great effect on you and influenced your artistic career?
Picnic At Hanging Rock was the first book I’d read where I had a physical reaction to a scene. I was reading it in bed and jumped when I got to the part about the spider in the face. Then I turned out the light and couldn’t get to sleep, because there was an imaginary spider in my face.
Out of Africa for its visual beauty, and romantic flying scene
West With The Night written by Beryl Markham. Some of her one-liners and observations are brilliant.
5. Considering the innumerable artistic avenues open to you, why did you choose to write non-fiction?
Because I began doing magazine articles so it was a natural progression. And, cliché, truth is stranger than fiction.
6. Please tell us about your book!
True stories of ten Australian women pilots that show a diversity of era, opportunity and experience. Each follows a story arc that leads the reader on an exciting adventure in the air.
7. What do you hope people take away with them after reading your book?
I hope they are inspired to try something challenging that they’ve often considered but never enacted. And that they enjoy the read. And if they own a production company, to get in touch about making a film about one of the stories.
8. Whom do you most admire in the realm of writing and why?
Anybody who has managed to survive the whole process intact!
9. Many artists set themselves very ambitious goals. What are yours?
To get this book published and distributed widely while keeping home and hearth in tact. And perhaps to write a screenplay.
10. Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?
Keep notes. Never make fun of somebody’s name. Don’t try to emulate somebody else’s style. Do some courses. Keep at least three pair of reading glasses stashed around the house. Don’t expect your friends to keep reading and re-reading your drafts – choose your test readers carefully. Remember to go for walks. Find your own writing space with complete silence (I haven’t), find a mentor, be a mentor, try and be nice, don’t write about family.
Thanks Kathy!
—Australian Women Pilots: Amazing true stories of women in the air by Kathy Mexted (NewSouth Publishing) is out now.
Australian Women Pilots
Amazing true stories of women in the air
Women have been flying planes ever since there have been planes to fly, but, with a few notable exceptions, they have not been visible or well known.
Tenacious, determined and sometimes fearless, Kathy Mexted shares the stories of ten extraordinary Australian women compelled to take to the skies. You will meet trailblazers like Deborah Wardley, who was told by Ansett that women couldn't be pilots, and Gaby Kennard, the first Australian woman to fly solo around the world...
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