Author writes about double life
Writing the The Bushman’s Son was a brave move by its author, Terry Fergusson-Hughes. He talks openly of realising in his early teenage years that he was different to other boys — he liked some better than girls.
Before the Homosexual Law Reform Act of 1986 the author lived a double existence. He married, fathered children, became a solo dad, yet immersed himself in the gay world where drugs, sex and rock’n’roll ruled. JILL NICHOLASquestioned him about his book and the life he unashamedly led.
What prompted you to write this book?
Over my lifetime I had a lot of conversations with my older relatives who shared their life experiences with me. I remember thinking how amazing they were and how it impacted me and my life. These stories needed to be shared and it set up the foundation to continue these stories into my own life experiences.
Did you think long and hard before committing words to paper or did they flow from the outset?
I have to say that it just flowed right from the start and was a most enjoyable experience. I would sit and smile and some of the stories were hilarious and made it a little easier to share the darker times covered in the book.
Did you hide away in a garret to write it?
Initially yes, I was at home and enjoyed the quiet. However, about halfway through I stopped and couldn’t get motivated. I contacted my previous employer to get permission to sit at my old desk to have people and noise around me. It worked! And the rest just flowed.
Why did you choose to publish in the UK?
It proved virtually impossible to break into New Zealand publishing houses and it was either a “no” or simply no answer so I looked abroad and was lucky enough to be contacted by Pegasus publishers in Cambridge (UK) who were so keen to run with my idea.
Have you encountered any backlash for writing so openly about a subject some still find confronting?
It’s early days but no, not as yet. To me it isn’t confronting, it’s just life and all that we suffer/go through. I wrote this book as though I am sitting in a room talking to you and even though some may cringe in parts . . . it’s all based on fact and emotion.
In retrospect what advice would you give your angst-ridden teenage self?
It’s a very good question and a few years ago I would have had a long list to share. But as I have got older I realise that we made those decision with resources we had at the time so I would just let my younger self find his own way — again.
You are an awardwinning portrait artist. What fascinates you about faces?
Each face tells its own story and each piece of art should either challenge you or relate to you in some way. I was told when I first started painting that art attraction starts when you see a piece of yourself in what is on display. Faces do that and I love the journey and the creation of a certain look.
What’s next, more art or another book?
Honestly, I don’t know as yet but the universe will signal me in the right direction I’m sure. Art will always be part of my life so brace yourself and there’s definitely more to come from this bushman’s son.