Professor Don Tillman at University of Canberra

While at the University of Canberra for a workshop today, I noticed signs in the library saying that the book of the year for students to read is The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion. This fictional work (and the sequel, "The Rosie Effect") features Professor Don Tillman, through whom Graeme pokes fun at academia.

The Rosie Effect in Canberra

Greetings from the Australian National University in Canberra, where Graeme Simsion is talking about his new book "The Rosie Effect: A Novel". In his introduction Colin Steele mentioned how most of the women in the audience at the talk for his previous book "The Rosie Project", were in love with the leading character in the book and projected this on to Graeme (I confess these were my comments). Graeme related story of how he went from a computer geek to a best selling author with much laughter (and some gently digs at acadmeia) along the way.

The central character on Graeme's books is Professor Don Tillman. The running joke in the books is that Don Tilman is a classic nerd, who applies the scientific method to social situations. Graeme explained that the character was based on a computer nerd and only did others ascribe this to Asperger syndrome. Graeme points out that he did not put this label on the character.

Graeme has also written the script for the film version of the Rosie Effect, to be made by Sony.

One of the unexpected laughs for the evening when Graeme was asked about how hard writing was. He replied that he had written two books about data analysis before a novel. The laugh came when he said "I realise that data analysis is not the same as romantic comedy", but then explained that writing s novel or s script is a process which requires structure and so data analysis skills apply. This is described in detail in a TEDx talk: "It's all design, from IT projects to The Rosie Project" (TEDxUniMelb, Oct 4, 2013).

I felt a little conspicuous sitting in the front row typing this blog posting, wearing a waterproof jacket (like Don Tillman).

ps: Australian now has the Autism CRC, the world’s first national, cooperative research effort focused on Autism. Perhaps Professor Don Tillman should be on the staff. ;-)

A Little of Don Tillman in All of Us

Greetings from the Paperchain Bookstore in Canberra, where Graeme Simsion is speaking about his book "The Rosie Project: A Novel".  Graeme started by making the case for independent booksellers (and he is at the top of their sales list at present). He related his own journey from an IT consultant, through being a struggling author. The book started as a script of a serious film called "The Face of God". The film rights have been purchased by Sony/Colombia. Graeme suggested Carey Mulligan for the character of "Rosie".

Graeme mentioned the problems in writing a book, including people identifiying with the characters. He said the character Peter Enticott was not based on "Peter G. Enticott", autism spectrum disorder researcher at Monash University.


It came as a surprise when I received an email from Graeme about his novel some months ago, as I only knew him as a data modeling expert, admittedly one who told wonderful stories as part of the education he provided. In reading the Rosie Project I could hear Graeme's voice and his development as a story teller.

Graeme's main character, Don Tillman, is a socially challenged academic, who tries to use intellect to navigate the perils of romance with hilarious results. When I first read the book I was a little annoyed that Graeme was having a dig at me (as with Don, if I am asked to "wait a minute" I will start my stopwatch, pre-plan exactly where to walk in a city on the other side of the planet), but then I realized that universities are full of such people. Graeme explained that he had met many characters in IT who were a "bit misunderstood", but the character is based on one friend.

Professor Don Tillman PhD has his own Twitter account. Also he can be found in a search of the Victorian Government website, under Geneticists. and on Zoom Info. There is also a real geneticist "D Tillman". Perhaps he needs together with my own fictional character, Professor Klerphell.

If you watch "Big Bang Theory" you will enjoy The Rosie Project.

ps: Federally funded Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) for Living with Autism Spectrum Disorders, is being set up in Australia.

The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion

Graeme Simsion will speak about his book "The Rosie Project: A Novel" in Canberra, 5:45pm, 18 June 2013 (RSVP). It came as a surprise when I received an email from Graeme about his novel. I only knew Graeme as a data modeling expert, admittedly one who told wonderful stories as part of the education he provided. In reading the Rosie Project I could hear Graeme's voice and his development as a story teller. If you watch "Big Bang Theory" you will enjoy The Rosie Project.

Please join us to hear Graeme Simsion speak about The Rosie Project.

Tuesday June 18
5.45 for 6.00pm

RSVP Monday June 17
Telephone 6295 6723 or
email info@paperchainbookstore.com.au


Don Tillman is getting married. He just doesn’t know who to yet.
But he has designed the Wife Project, using a sixteen-page questionnaire to help him find the perfect partner. She will most definitely not be a barmaid, a smoker, a drinker, or a late-arriver.
Rosie Jarman is all these things. She is also fiery and intelligent and beautiful. And on a quest of her own to find her biological father—a search that Don, a professor of genetics, might just be able to help her with.
The Wife Project teaches Don some unexpected things. Why earlobe length is an inadequate predictor of sexual attraction. Why quick-dry clothes aren’t appropriate attire in New York. Why he’s never been on a second date. And why, despite your best scientific efforts, you don’t find love: love finds you.

Graeme Simsion worked as a computer operator, programmer and database specialist before founding a consulting business in 1982. By the time he sold Simsion Bowles & Associates in 1999, it had grown to some seventy staff in three cities. Graeme had built an international reputation in data management and written the standard text on data modelling. Until the success of The Rosie Project enabled him to concentrate on his writing, he continued to deliver seminars around the world.

‘The Rosie Project is 1930s screwball comedy updated for 2013. Hepburn and Grant in Bringing Up Baby, or Rosalind Russell and Grat in His Girl Friday have the exact same pitch, intelligence, wit and farce with a love story at the centre of it all. Madcap indeed, but like those films The Rosie Project underscored with writing meticulously judged. Simsion is in his 50s and it is astonishing that this is his first novel, although he has said he worked on it for years. It shows. This is hand-polished writing. The novel has already been sold internationally into more than 30 countries, a success before it was published here. Extremely loud and incredibly long applause.’
Age/SMH/Canberra Times/Brisbane Times



=========================
Paperchain Bookstore
34 Franklin Street
Manuka ACT 2603
Australia

ph  02 6295 6723