Woman behind the words

Carly Thomas is a journalist and in-house writer for Shepherdess magazine. A keen storyteller, she treks across Aotearoa for her interviews – even conducting some from the back of a horse. Here she shares a bit about her career, behind the scenes working for the magazine and what makes a good story.

Where were you born/raised and where are you living now?

I was born in Christchurch but I have lived mostly in the North Island. I have moved around a lot, both during my childhood and in later life, too. I lived in England for 10 years and have done stints in Scotland and France. I now live in rural Manawatū, in Kiwitea. Our house is a big old villa built in 1884 and it has a gorgeous acre of garden which I love and am ridiculously obsessed with. We are a whānau of five. My husband and I have three teenagers – a 16-year-old and twins who are almost 13 – and life is the usual wonderful rural chaos of kids, horses, too many pets, mud in winter and dust in summer.

Walk us through your career in journalism and storytelling.

My pathway into journalism started off traditionally. I studied with the legendary Jim Tucker – I loved it. We are talking pre-internet, so I learnt the old-school way, which has forever shaped my values as a writer. If I step back into why I love storytelling, I have to mention my mum. She taught me how to listen and be interested. In my early teens, she had a bookshop where I worked after school. My mum knew everyone and they would all come in for a chat and a giggle. That’s another thing I learnt from my mum: always find the humour, it’s a leveller.

All I ever want to do is to tell a person’s story in an authentic way.”

How do you balance writing (and your sanity) with raising a family?

That was a tricky one when I worked in a newsroom. It is an all-encompassing environment, highly stressful and hard to switch off from. Being freelance now means that I can work my way, which makes for a healthier balance. I am much nicer when I can wear my track pants to work. And my kids are pretty great. They know that Fridays are mum’s writing till 3am nights and that dinner is whatever they want it to be. Let’s just say my kids are very independent and they learnt how to open a can from a very early age.

When do you feel most connected to the land? What gives you a sense of place?

Oh, I love being outside. It’s a bit ironic that I am a writer and therefore have to spend time inside. I think that’s why I write so fast. I have always been a runner, hiker, horse rider, explorer. If there is a track, I want to follow it. A hill, I want to climb it. Being out there amongst it all makes me feel connected.

What makes a compelling story?

Down-to-earth grit. Realness, rawness and passion. I love to learn about people’s day-to-day lives. The connections, the humanness and the humanity. It doesn’t have to be groundbreaking, it just has to be honest.

What has been your most memorable interview experience for the magazine?

Shannon Ataera on Rēkohu – Chatham Islands – now she is an epic wahine. She has a huge amount of mana and it makes her shine. Sometimes you walk away from an interview and you know you have personally learnt something that you will carry from then on. Shannon was one of those.

Which piece have you been most proud of writing for the magazine and why?

I could say the bigger pieces that are more intricately written but honestly I feel proud of the piece I wrote about Bex Scragg, Jo Waugh and Sam Shaw – three women training and trialling dogs in an often male-dominated environment. That story sums up what I try really hard to do – capture the feel of who I am writing about. That takes time and I spent time on that story. And also walked up a very big hill.

How would you describe your writing style?

I hope it holds the feel of what I see, hear and experience. All I ever want to do is to tell a person’s story in an authentic way. I hope it is never pretentious, inaccessible or too academic. If it makes me cringe, then it gets deleted and I start again.

Any behind-the-scenes “bloopers” you can share?

I am a walking blooper, but here’s one: I did an Instagram live for the magazine when I had no clue what I was doing and so it turned into the Carly comedy hour.

Do you have tips for kicking off a conversation with a stranger?

My mum needs to step in here again, because she is a ninja at this. I was brought up by a woman who talks to everyone and anyone and I am the same. Together we are a riot. I think you just have to be interested – questions are always good. And I try to give back, too. I think there has to be a lot of giving when you talk to people.

Shepherdess Autumn Edition out now at your local Farmlands store.

Interview: Claire Williamson Photographer: Francine Boer