Jimmy Barnes is writing a cookbook with wife Jane and a horror novel as his first fiction work
He’s one of Australia’s most-loved rock icons. Now, Jimmy Barnes is momentarily turning his back on singing for some bizarre new hobbies. HEAR HIS NEW PODCAST
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Three books down, two on the go for Jimmy Barnes.
As he revealed in last week’s episode of Story Time with Jimmy Barnes, the rocker and his partner in life and music Jane are working on a cookbook, inspired by the feasts they share with family and friends, to be released next year.
LISTEN TO THE PODCAST HERE:
“I’ve been a good cook for years but Jane is exceptional; besides making music, one of the joys of the whole family is we all cook. We’re in the process of putting together a cookbook too,” he said.
“Food is such a great part of our lives and everybody gets cookbooks and look at them and get too intimidated to make (the dishes).
“We want to make a cookbook where people can make these things. You look at the recipe and it doesn’t frighten you off. And with a little bit of dedication, you can make really great meals.
“I’m going to write stories for the book and Jane’s gonna write the recipes about our lives.”
Ahead of the release of his third memoir Killing Time next week, Barnes picked the brains of Debra Oswald, the award-winning author and the co-creator of much-loved television series Offspring, about writing fiction.
In the upcoming fourth episode of the podcast, he confirms he is forging ahead with his first novel and picks up a few writer’s tricks from Oswald to help him in the process.
“I am writing a horror story at the moment which is really based on my life,” he told Oswald.
“I am trying to write about things I know and I know about violence and domestic violence and alcoholism and (being) cold ... so I have set it in Glasgow because that’s what’s ingrained and burnt into my head.”
Barnes said he wrote his memoirs quickly, often penning 4000 to 6000 words before lunchtime.
But he said he had struggled to let go of his doubts when penning the first chapter of his novel, rewriting it several times before daring to show it to anyone for feedback.
“The best books have the greatest opening lines in history and once you’ve read those first four lines or whatever it is, you can’t put it down,” he said.
“So I’ve been thinking if I can get that opening to go ‘Oh!’ then I can keep going.”
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His years of penning lyrics have helped him develop his love of writing with the rocker often creating characters to reveal his feelings rather than admit his songs were autobiographical.
“I am not so self-obsessed but I don’t tend to write much about other people,” he said.
“If you look under the surface most of my songs have been about myself. Even the bad ones.”
Fans will have the opportunity to quiz Barnes about his writing and the heart-wrenching and hilarious tales in Killing Time when he and his family throw Australia’s biggest virtual book launch on October 6.
– THE BOOK
Get your copy of Killing Time by Jimmy Barnes, published by HarperCollins Australia. In stores from October 7 — pre-order now at Booktopia
– THE PODCAST
Experience why Story Time with Jimmy Barnes is rocketing up the charts. Join Jimmy and his all-star mates wherever you get our podcasts — plus exclusive behind-the-scenes content at storytimewithjimmybarnes.com.au
– THE LIVE EVENT
Join Barnesy at Australia’s biggest ever virtual book launch on October 6. Jimmy will read excerpts from Killing Time plus sing a few songs with family and friends. Joining the party is free, just register via killingtime.jimmybarnes.com
Originally published as Jimmy Barnes is writing a cookbook with wife Jane and a horror novel as his first fiction work