Tara Moss has written and published seven crime novels in 17 countries and in 11 languages. Her eighth novel Assassin will be published on September 1. She also hosts the true crime documentary series Tough Nuts – Australia’s Hardest Criminals on the Crime & Investigation Network, and the interview show Tara Moss in Conversation on 13th Street Universal. Her writing has appeared in Australian Literary Review, The Sydney Morning Herald, Sun Herald and The Daily Telegraph.
Tara is a mother and an ambassador for the Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children, a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and UNICEF Patron for Breastfeeding for the Baby Friendly Heath Initiative.
Growing up, what kind of career did you want to pursue?
Before age ten I longed to be one of Bela Lugosi’s vampire brides, or Dr Frankenstein. By age ten, I wanted to be a novelist like Stephen King.
Who is most surprised by your achievements?
My python.
How have women helped shape your success to date?
Women are my main supporters, my main readership as a novelist, and my biggest influences. My Canadian high school Psych teacher, Linda Johnstone has had a profound influence on me, along my literary agent, Selwa Anthony. Both are wise older women, and inspiring.
Who inspires you?
My late mother, Janni.
What qualities do you most admire in a female colleague?
Defiance.
How would you describe your ideal work day?
Different than the previous.
What’s the key to successfully balancing work and life?
You can’t be two places at once. Once you (or you and your loved ones, if you have a family) decide what needs to be done, make no apologies, whether that means being an artist or a banker, a stay at home parent or a full time career woman. Follow your passion.
If you had an afternoon to yourself, how would you spend it?
I’m sorry, I don’t understand the question.
What brings you sadness?
The conservative push back against women’s rights, particularly as seen in recent US politics. The common, day to day prejudice against breastfeeding mothers feeding their children in public.
What personal attributes have you used to overcome adversity in your life?
I just keep standing.
What’s your motto?
Life is too short to live the same day twice.