CARTER, Mike 1936-

PERSONAL: Born September 12, 1936, in London, England; son of Thomas and Ethel Carter; married Diana Pountney, August 12, 1960; children: Robin, Sally. Education: University of Sheffield, B.A. (with honors), 1961. Hobbies and other interests: Drama, soccer, para-gliding, plays mandolin in an Irish band.

ADDRESSES: Home—Te Kohanga Rd., Onewhero, R.D. 2 Tuakau, Auckland, New Zealand.

CAREER: Secondary school teacher, 1961-89; writer, 1989—.

MEMBER: Drama Club, Soccer Club, Microlite Club.

WRITINGS:

Biggest Pool of All, Wendy Pye (New Zealand), 1995.

Space Games, Lothian (Port Melbourne, Victoria, Australia), 2001.

Contributor of short stories and articles to periodicals, including New Zealand School Journal and School.

ADAPTATIONS: Some of Carter's short stories have been broadcast by New Zealand Radio.

WORK IN PROGRESS: Writing about chicken farming, a boy with a powered parachute, and a girl with a guardian angel.

SIDELIGHTS: New Zealand author Mike Carter told CA: "I cannot remember a time when I couldn't read. Of course those were the days before television. (We still don't own one.) Words I've found fascinating—and writing gives me time to get them right. Raising a family and full-time teaching (ages eleven through seventeen years) didn't allow much energy or time for writing more than skits and articles for newspapers. I retired from full-time teaching in 1989 and since then have had a number of short stories published.

"I've used personal experience as a basis for most stories—teaching, parachuting, para-gliding, soccer, animals—then I've added a fictional component or twist. A writer creates his/her own world, although often the characters take on a life force of their own and hove off in a completely unanticipated direction. Maybe God feels that way about us.

"Writing is an enjoyable hobby. As I walk or drive I have a host of chaacters talking, performing in my mind. I'm never alone if I unleash my imagination. At the moment I'm sifting through ideas about chicken farming, guardian angels, and flying."