An accountant has found an unexpected way of balancing his life outside of work – by writing fiction.
Stefan Schutte (44), from Eversdal Heights, recently published his debut novel, The Last Jukebox heroes.
“Novel writing seems a long way removed from being a boring accountant, but I found it a wonderful (necessary) counterbalance,” he says.
Love of music
An fortunately for many, he doesn’t write about spreadspeets.
In the book, Chris Coltrane, a succesful businessman (an an alcoholic) storms off to a cocktail bar in Cape Town after an altercation with the board of his company. The cocktail bar is where he meets Julie Ross, the owner, who is trying to make some money before she is left without a business.
Readers learn more about Julie, Chris and three others in the bar via the music played over the jukebox, before the night ends unexpectedly.
“I combined my love for music and observing people in this novel and decided to tell the story of a 68-year-old guy sitting alone in a Cape Town bar, jostling with his whisky-fuelled thoughts as the jukebox played in the background,” Stefan explains.
“Despite it being quite a dark, hard-hitting story highlighting the flawed nature and disconnection between us humans, it still carries a message of hope.”
He enjoys movies by Quentin Tarantino, Martin Scorsese, Stanley Kubrick, and Guy Ritchie and says the book has a similiar style. Writers like Stephen King and Deon Meyer have also taught him a lot.
Journey
It’s been quite the journey for the debut novelist, who woke up at five to write before taking his children to school and going to work. “I’ve learned a splash of cold water works wonders, especially in winter.”
Writing has almost been a part of his life. “I was about 10 years old when someone first told me that I should one day become a writer,” he says. “So, writing has always been in my veins but took a backseat while life took its course. I was lucky that the ability to string a few words together never completely left me, and by my late thirties, I discovered the drive to embark on the writing journey that eventually resulted in the publishing of The Last Jukebox Heroes.”
He responded to an advert by the West Coast Writers’ Circle five years ago and this was the catylist to fulfilling his dream. “It’s a wonderful, supportive community where we hone our skills through workshops and writing contests.”
It was a big moment holding the first proof copy in his hands. “I remember feeling almost too nervous to pick it up.”
Still, the most rewarding is the feedback he gets from readers.
Stefan has been living in Cape Town for the last 22 years and is married to Annelie. They have two children (who he says aren’t allowed to read the book before they’re 18).
The book is available at The Book Lounge and Clarke’s Bookshop (both in Cape Town), Aurora Books (Durbanville), and Wordsworth (Willowbridge). Readers can also order directly from www.firebrickbooks.com
