Do you have any favourite authors?
I have a lot of favourite authors, however I tend to read any book that piques my interest. Most recently, I discovered Monica McInerney. My boys gave me one of her books, Upside Down, Inside Out, for Christmas last year and I really enjoyed it. My mum picked up a few...
My first writing workshop
Yesterday, I ran my first ever writing workshop for teens. It was hosted by the Monash Library in Oakleigh, and was an amazing opportunity, as well as something new. I haven't had any teacher training and the only children I've really taught have been preschoolers in...
How did you come up with your premise for your books?
There are a lot of different ways I come up with the premise for my book and stories for anthologies. These include: Rewriting history - some of the chapter books I use memories from when I was a child and put the endings I wish had happened. Something bugging me -...
Which genres do you prefer to read?
Most of the books I've been reading lately are either historical fiction or books with a more realistic setting, that is not including picture books that seem to come in many different styles. Recently, I found myself reading a number of children's novels (chapter...
What is the best part about being a writer?
I have a lot of stuff going on in my head. Sometimes I'm glad that people aren't mind readers, otherwise they would be completely confused by what is going on in there. For me, the best part about being a writer is getting some of this stuff out of my head and onto...
What do you do for a day job?
As well as being the single Mum of two boys aged 10 and 12, I also work as business manager for a small business. This involves bookkeeping, accounts, as well as some social media on behalf of clients, and anything else that comes across my desk. It's a good job as...
Do you listen to music while writing?
Sometimes I listen to music while I write, sometimes the TV is on, and sometimes there's nothing. As life is getting back to normal, it's not unusual to have the musical stylings of my kids as they practice the piano and clarinet after school! It could also be the...
If you weren't a writer, what do you think you would be doing?
This is one of the easier questions I've been asked. My day job is working as a bookkeeper and administrator, along with being the Mum to two gorgeous boys. So chances are I'd be doing that - and probably getting a lot more sleep as I do most of my writing at night...
What are some of the strongest influences on your writing?
(e.g. politics, natural disasters, friendships) I've put that second part of the question in the post so the topic isn't too long... I would have to say that my strongest influences would be a mix of my kids (I have 2 boys) as well as my own life. In many ways,...
Is there a place you go that inspires you to write more, or that just helps you get into the mood to write?
I must admit that most nights I sit on the couch in my lounge room with my laptop to write. This has more to do with practicality than inspiration. I dream of having a house with a writing retreat of some sort so I can escape into the World of my mind... but that is...