A new crime novel written in Porirua and printed just up the road is now available at Paper Plus Porirua, continuing a run of local support for author Rodney Strong.
Several mornings a week, Strong heads to Musclechef café in Aotea to write.
Not because it’s quieter than home, he says, but because the change of scenery and the buzz of the café helps get his creative mind working. The hot chocolate and cheese scone help too.
“Working in a café is almost like setting a mini deadline. I aim to write as many words as I can by the time my drink is finished.”
Strong says the café has become a regular writing base, with owner Sushil always ready with a smile and a friendly chat.
There are even jokes about officially labelling one of the tables as “Rodney’s office”.
“Writing can be a solitary occupation, so it’s great having a local place I can go to work.”
Much of Strong’s latest release, One Dog and a Whole Lot of Murder, was written at the café.
In keeping with the local theme, the book was printed at Your Books in Grenada North and is now available at Paper Plus in Porirua.
“Richard at Paper Plus has been a great supporter over my writing career,” Strong says.
“I love the fact that something produced locally is being sold locally.”