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’ve always told my kids that “if we don’t share our stories, then how can we help people?” That’s why they don’t mind me talking about the challenges they live with; they embrace them and are what makes them who they are (that doesn’t take away, they’ve had extra challenges to deal with and hard…
I’ve got quite a personal post, today. A post about anxiety, heartache, discovery and in the end, immense satisfaction. Today is International Day of Disabled People. I have two children with disabilities – although as a great friend pointed out to me the other day: ‘I don’t think of your kids as disabled.’ Nothing more…
When I was a kid, I used to spend recess and lunch in the library. I guess there’s a few of you who think that’s a bit geeky and boring; for me it was anything but. The quietness and coolness of the Orroroo Community Library, where my great friend, Mrs Mackay, was the librarian for…
On the 24th of May, an ABC news report told Australia that 21 women had been killed in 21 weeks by an intimate partner. My guess is that you’d gasp and think ‘how horrible, that must be in another country.’ You’d be wrong. This is in Australia. This happened in 2020. In Australia. In February…
‘Have you put on sun screen?’ Mum always used to ask as I headed out the door to ride my bike, or go swimming. I hated sunscreen. I always wore a hat, but greasiness of the cream, I’d do everything to avoid it. Until mum would make me stand in front of her and smeared…
You told me you’d like to read a bit of STARTING FROM NOW… Here’s the prologue and first chapter. Starting_Prologue Starting_ChapterOne If you decide yo’d like to buy a copy, then head here to do so! Buy STARTING FROM NOW. Blurb: A suspenseful novel of rural life and real country issues from our genuine Voice…
STARTING FROM NOW doesn’t hit the shelves until October 5, but you’ve got the opportunity to get your hands on a copy, a month early! I’ve had a heap of emails from people wanting to get a signed copy of STARTING FROM NOW. Some for themselves and others are wanting Christmas presents (who organises Christmas…
What’s the saying about never working with kids and animals? Jack usually defies that saying, but today he wasn’t acting quite the way I’d hoped he would! I was trying to capture him looking at the pages OF MY NEW BOOK (YAY!!) while I was reading to him. However as you can see, he…
Happy Monday! Aren’t Monday’s sometimes a bit hard to get warmed up to? Hopefully this will make your day, a great day! First up, exciting news! It’s only six weeks until my new novel STARTING FROM NOW is released. You can preorder from Booktopia. I’ve got to tell you, I’m very excited (and nervous) about releasing…
When I was on tour for WITHOUT A DOUBT, I came across this blue door (pictured on the computer screen). I was sitting in a narrow alley way, drinking coffee (because I’m a bit like Detective Dave and nothing happens in the morning until I’ve had my coffee) when I saw it. Hasn’t it got…
Have you ever wondered what happens the morning after a novel gets finished? I finished my fourteenth novel yesterday, with the same sense of relief that I had when I finished my first one! Something between ‘oh my God, I’m so pleased that’s over’ and ‘Yay! I’ve done it again!’ I text a couple of…
What a great day to spend in front of the fire, editing the next book for you all. Starting from Now will be out in November and this has been an awesome fun book to write, albeit slightly controversial… It’s cold and windy outside and we’ve had a beautiful, and much needed 40mm of rain…
Are you looking for something a little different for that hard-to-buy-for person? I have gift packs available; a personalised signed book of your choice (written by me!), a calico bag, coffee or travel mug (your choice), pen, note pad, and again, a choice of water bottle or stubby holder all for $65.00 (including postage). If…
On White Ribbon day Breaking the Silence launched into Albany. If you haven’t heard about Breaking the Silence, then let me tell you; it’s a directory of services which are available in one area and tailored to each individual town; so far we have Esperance and Albany online. The plan is by 2021 that we…
I watched with annoyance, the ABC’s 4 Corners report on glyphosate and it’s ‘carcinogenic causing’ qualities, then with amusement when the 7.30 report started their series on Australia, how big is too big? According to the 7.30 Report, there is ‘national anxiety’ about the population of Australia; how we’re going to feed and water ourselves,…
It’s been ages since I’ve been able to read. I’m not sure why, because it was my favourite of pastimes. I started to find it hard when I was under a lot of pressure; looking after a sick family member, then my marriage breakdown, so on and so forth! I found I had a distinct…
There is a Facebook photo with a picture of a strawberry saying: ‘cut ‘em up, don’t throw ‘em out. Please continue to support Aussie Farmers through berry tough times.’ What a great campaign created through horrible circumstances. I wonder what makes someone or some people want to bring an industry to its knees? What…
A few months ago, we had another L-plater enter the house. The older daughter is already a P-plater, so I’d had my fair share of hanging out the passenger’s seat; knew what it was like, what directions to give, how to be calm and soothing when really all I wanted to do was scream. I…
Having been a farmer for twenty years, I can tell you what the reality of drought is: it’s dry dusty paddocks, with little or no grass. It’s dams that have nothing but mud in the bottom; sheep or cattle getting stuck as they search for water. Its people shutting their bank accounts down, none essential…
