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Interview:
Samantha Brett, Author, Luv 'n Text, Journalist and
writer, 'Sam In The City' -
20th August 2006
Media
Man Australia continues to explore the world of relationships
and sex. We speak to one of Australia's leading relationship
experts and best selling authors.
What's
your background?
I
am born in South Africa, and have grown up in Australia.
When
did you know you were onto something really big with
"Sam In The City"?
I
was living and working in New York a few years back
and realised that the whole dating scene, which has
become so massive all over the world, was really being
captured there by the media on TV, print and radio.
But nothing like it was being done in Australia. When
I started the column with Fairfax online, the very
first day we got 180 comments. I knew instantly that
dating was universal and everyone wants to talk about
the issues involved in relationships, whether their
16 or 60.
To
what do you put down most of the success of your book,
'Luv 'n text'?
The
proliferation of text messaging and technology being
utilised in the realm of every day life, especially
when it comes to meeting, dating, dumping, cheating,
is so fascinating. Especially to people who haven't
grown up with text. My book was the very first of
it's kind to delve into those topics, and the text
dictionary at the back makes for very entertaining
reading! (was just waiting for a copy from the distributors,
but will be sending it to you this week.)
Where
and when did you become a journalist?
I
studied journalism/law at university, however the
day I finished my HSC, I knew I wanted to be a journalist
and went straight to work at Channel Ten.
What
was the best thing about your recent appearance on
the Kerri-Anne
show?
The
positive feedback about the stuff that I am doing
actually helping people! The columns are not only
fun and interesting for me to write, but I have got
such great feedback that people are gaining insights
from them, they are helping people get over breakups,
understand their relationships and also bringing people
together. One couple who met on the blog are even
pregnant with their first baby. It's crazy.
You
know that your going to be featured on the (world
famous) Media Man Australia website. What do you like
best about the website (and director : ) ?
Well
I can't yet comment on his sex-appeal just yet (as
I haven't met him face to face), but I know from the
work he does as well as all the praise I have heard,
that he is charming and intelligent.
How
many hits and impressions are your Fairfax (Sydney
Morning Herald and The Age) web blogs attracting?
Averaging
50,000 hits for both SMH, and The Age per day.
Fairfax
has been good to me also. How did your deal with Fairfax
come about?
I
have always freelanced for them and have always wanted
to work on their online website as it really does
push the boundaries in terms of it's content as well
as it's massive audience from all the world that it
attracts. So I pitched them the column!
You
met former Miss Universe, Jennifer Hawkins. What's
Jennifer's take on text dating?
I
don't know what her take is on text dating, but I
do know that it's probably very tough to juggle everything
she does, along with sustaining a meaningful relationship
and I take my hat off to her for doing it!
Other
that Shane Warne, do the guys or girls usually initiate
text dating?
Ha
ha. I think it's often the guys - they find it so
much easier than talking on the phone. That's the
beauty of text: shy men don't have to pluck up the
courage to chat you up or make the follow up phone
call after a date. They can just text it!
How
many dates are acceptable before things get "serious"
between 2 people who really like each other?
I
would say three dates is a good time period to START
getting to know someone. It takes a while (sometimes
many months), before you can really get comfortable
with someone, but after the third date you can usually
tell whether or not you're into them and if the chemistry
is there.
Why
is it so important for potential partners to have
much more in common that owning a mobile and liking
the opposite sex?
Relationships
are based on three foundations: passion, sex and friendship.
If the friendship isn't there, and there's nothing
in common, there is no real relationship. It just
becomes about the sex and a long term relationship
cannot be sustained that way (although we'd like to
hope it could!)
Do
opposites attract?
Of
course they do! While we all want someone who enjoys
our hobbies and shares our passions, opposites bring
into the equation excitement, mystery and challenge
us.
Who
are some of your favourite good causes that you support?
NRMA
Care Flight
National Breast Cancer
Foundation
What
are your favourite mobile telephones and PDA's?
I
am currently using an 02 Atom for all my emails and
the Nokia L'Amour fashion phone for all my SMSing!
Product
endorsement time… who is your favourite telecommunications
carrier, and might you consider changing to my associates
mobile telephone company?
Vodafone.
I don't pay for it, so it's not my choice!
You
look gorgeous. Your dress sense is fantastic. Who
is your stylist?
Thank
you. I style myself, get hair by Joh Bailey and makeup
by Victoria.
What's
your star sign, and are you true to its main attributes?
Libra
- I am very decisive and goal orientated so I wouldn't
say I am that true to it.
How
does a guy with a "million dollar" profile
explain to a girl he likes that his bank account is
still catching up to the profile?
(Laughs).
I think he doesn't need to explain any of it, and
she should like him for him!
How
many propositions do you get per week? (be honest
now Sam)
Too
many :)
Are
you single, and if so, when will you go out with me?
… and if not, do put your close girlfriends onto
me!
Done.
I am not single at the moment!
What
parts of the world has your work taken you to?
New
York, London, Los Angeles, Vietnam, Thailand.
Where
else would you like to travel to?
I
love travelling. Give me the date, time and hotel
and I'm there.
What's
your take on the following relationship related books:
What's
On A Man's Mind (Geoff Barker)
Love,
love, love this book. Unlike any other relationship
book, it has real facts and figures so we can understand
the male mind from a chemistry point of view.
(CANT
COMMENT ON THE OTHERS, haven't read)
Winning Relationships (Charmaine Saunders)
Secrets, Lies & Chat (Vena McGrath)
When do you do most of your
reading and writing?
I
love reading biographies and love to write stories
that inspire, help and advise others!
When
is your next book, 'Sam AND The City' due out?
February
07.
Do
you think an Australian (or overseas) television network
may be open to a pitch to tie the book into a TV program?
Definitely.
And that is all on the cards for me.
Have
you ever done acting or television presenting?
Yes.
I have acted my whole life and been in television
presenting from the moment I stepped out of school.
What
inspires you?
Candace
Bushnell, Maureen Dowd, Alissa Camplin, Kylie Minogue
- fabulous business women who have overcome adversity
and are powerful role models to women everywhere.
Who
are your life and business mentors?
My
parents are my absolute mentors in everything I do.
And they are 100 per cent supportive.
What's
your motto?
One
hundred percent of the shots you don't take don't
go in.
Editors
note: Wow, what a Wonder Women. I want to meet her,
how about you! Can't wait to see Sam hit our TV's
in a big way, and the next book sounds exciting. Now,
start texting and dating!
Websites
Samantha
Brett official website
Sam
In The City Sydney Morning Herald Blog
Sam
In The City The Age blog
Profiles
Samantha
Brett
Books
and Authors
Relationships
Dating
Mobiles
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