Confessions of an experience junkie

By Otago Daily Times | Posted: Monday Oct 06, 2025

Popular Radio NZ presenter and interviewer Susie Ferguson will have the tables turned on her at the Dunedin Writers & Readers Festival as she navigates an interview on her new memoir, Bloodyminded.

Confessions of an experience junkie | Otago Daily Times Online News

The Dunedin Writers & Readers Festival is now less than a fortnight away. Susie Ferguson is among those appearing and fields some quickfire questions.

I decided to tell my story in memoir form because: ... well, I was persuaded to! I never thought I’d write a book (or climb Everest, or run a marathon) but a few people thought I had a yarn or two in me.

I’m connected to Dunedin because:.. of my family. Dad was born in Dunedin after my grandparents had met at Otago University, one was a student from Gore and the other a lecturer from Scotland.

A line I wish I’d written is:.. I love a line that keeps you thinking, like the opening line of The Trial, by Franz Kafka.

My perfect Sunday is:.. a cuddly sleep in, walking my dog on a beach in the sunshine, making and eating delicious food and not having to be anywhere or do anything at any particular time.

My writing ritual is:.. a substantial amount of procrastination followed by deadline induced laser focus.

A word I probably overuse:.. Great.

The best place to relax is:.. I’m not very good at doing nothing, so relaxing often involves doing something like baking or yoga.

When I get stuck, I ..... move my body. Getting out of your head helps the pieces fall into place.

A writer I’d love to have dinner with:.. Because of my job, I get to have fantastic conversations with brilliant writers every week - but a highlight this year was Sir Ian Rankin when he was here for the Auckland Writers Festival. His Rebus books have been part of my life since I was a teenager, so that was a bucket list interview.

A soundtrack to my latest book would include:.. Buffalo Stance, by Neneh Cherry, the first song I ever spent my own money on. It still sounds fresh so many decades later!

One thing people don’t know about me:.. Despite having done years of early shifts with 3.45am alarms, I’m such a night owl and hate getting out of bed!

Dance or wallflower:.. is there anything more joyful than dancing? The wilder, the better!

A secret influence on my writing is:.. the cracking view from my desk across Wellington harbour to Matiu Somes Island.

My motto for life:.. Always say yes. As an experience junkie I reckon I’ll try just about anything once.

My desert island book would be:.. This is an impossible one to answer! My favourite books so far this year - which I’d happily read again - are The Ministry of Time, by Kaliane Bradley and The Safe Keep, by Yael van der Wouden.

The session 

Bloodyminded: Susie Ferguson in conversation with Prof Vivienne Anderson

Sunday Oct 19, 11am, in the Fullwood Room at the Dunedin Centre