Yesterday, my son turned 21! Yes, 21! And I made a mistake. Every April book, usually comes out on his birthday and for some reason, I thought this year’s was the same. So I thought Hayden’s birthday was today, rather than yesterday. Good thing I worked out on Sunday that wasn’t the case! So it’s…
Last year I made a decision I wanted to go camping a lot more than I had been. When I was a kid, our family used to camp a lot; we saw some amazing and wild parts of Australia, places I’ll never forget. So with all that in mind, I bought this little ripper (which…
Did you spend much time in your library as a kid? Do you still now? I loved our little library at the Orroroo Area School when I was a kid; if I lived in Orroroo I’d still love it. I remember out library being full of fun things like beanbags so we could snuggle in…
Writing is a mysterious business. It’s a lot of smoke and mirrors; living with imaginary people, crazy google searches and staying in my head a lot. My imaginary friends talk loudly to me sometimes and too quietly for me to hear at others. Sometimes they fight me. I’ll want them react a certain way,…
Ah, how much love do we have for Detective Dave Burrows? Well, I for one, have a lot! And obviously you guys do too, because we’re here publishing the 5th in the Detective Dave Burrows series in nine weeks, this baby is going to be on the shelf. I have to say, I thought…
Merry Christmas. I hope it’s full of love and laughter for you all. I’m sure many of us have mixed feelings about this Christmas. Some of us haven’t finished harvest and the thought of having to stop for a few days, even to rest, is annoying. Many of us haven’t seen family for a…
I’m not one for maths. Which makes writing a really good profession for me! And, you would think there isn’t any maths at all tapping out words on a keyboard. But this is a myth! I’ve been told a few times, that the only way to make good decisions is to base it around…
As you can see my white boards are beginning to fill up with ideas, character descriptions and a few other things. I don’t always use everything that goes up on these boards, and there’s nothing plotted here, only a place to throw ideas and thoughts at. I’ve been troubling over how to start Book…
You know that horrible sinking feeling when you go to a place in a carpark, thinking your car is going to be there and it’s not? It’s a damn horrible feeling huh? Actually, no you probably don’t because I’m sure you’re much more sensible than I am and have never lost a car. I…
Last week I wrote about a needing to write two books at at time to make my deadlines. I was getting involved with NaNoWriMo to help do this. Deciding to spend one week on each book, would mean I should get about 25k into each book by the end of November. Best laid plans…
I’ve never been one to conform. I always push the boundaries of whatever I do, whether it was rebelling against the constraints of society as I grew up, or rallying against being told what to do (yes, I was a HORRIBLE teenager!) or writing. And I guess it shows in the way I really wanted…
Who remembers these books? The Reader’s Digest Selections, with four books in one. A bookworm’s dream. Well, that’s how I saw them when they turned up in Mum and Dad’s mailbox. I can’t remember how often, maybe once a month. I’d grab it before they did and curl up in Dad’s chair and read.…
Well it’s November and November can be an important month in writer-world. November means NaNoWriMo. What does that mean, you might ask? Well, it means National Novel Writing Month. And today, I’ve just formatted my new file to start book 20, so I can join in. During NaNoWriMo, you’re supposed to write about 50,000…
Now onto other projects… Well, I’ve got a few deadlines in 2022. 1st March, 30th of June and the 1st of September. So three books next year. I love it when I get to clean off these white boards and start on another book. As much as I find the writing process hard,…
I’m often asked what it takes to write a book. Having finished my 19th novel about twelve hours ago, I reflected on the question, whilst sitting on the patio with a wine, screaming: ‘thank god that’s done!’ So, I compiled a list. A workable laptop. Not one that dies with only copy of your…
I’m often asked what my office looks like. Usually it’s too messy for me to take a photo – I’ll have research and papers all over my desk so it’s all at my fingertips as I write. But when I started the new novel (tentatively called Swindler’s List!) I tidied the desk and took a…
Well, what a year, huh? Who would have though that the words ‘unprecedented’, ‘Covid normal’, Self-isolation’, ‘social distancing’, ‘Black Lives Matter’, and ‘Karen’ would have made their way into our everyday language? That the news would be full of Corona Virus information, forsaking all other news! That Zoom would have become part of our ‘norm’.…
Oh my gosh! So many questions as to whether there is going to be a sequel to Red Dirt Country! Did you really think I’d leave you hanging to see what Bulldust did next? Well, in case you did, fear not! The answer is yes. Something to Hide will be published on the 30th March…
I just love the love we all have for Detective Dave Burrows. The amount of emails and questions I get about him are amazing. The most asked question is: what order does he appear in the books. Well, let me put that to rest, with this post. Dave came into being when I wrote my…
