Well, it's November, and November can be an important month in writer-world. November means NaNoWriMo. What does that mean, you might ask?

Tuesday is the D-Day. Deception Creek Publication day.

Ugh. I'm nervous. I always get nervous when a book comes out - you'd think it would get easier, but it doesn't. I have a need for you readers to like my characters, like my story and basically like everything about the book!

Never be afraid to be the only woman in the room. A hard take in Australian Agriculture, but today, on the International Day of Rural Women, I’m reminded of how far women in agriculture have come, and how much things have changed for women who want to work on the land.

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.

I left home at age 12 to go to boarding school in Adelaide. Orroroo, where I lived at the time, and Adelaide are only three hours’ drive apart, which really isn't that far when you think about it. But the world I changed to from Orroroo was as far wide and different as if I'd moved to Antarctica!

Do you have long-lasting memories of hanging out in your grandma's kitchen? I sure do …

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.

I have a love/hate relationship with the beach, and it took me quite a while to be able to be comfortable on the beach when I moved to Esperance.

This morning, when I woke up, my first thought was about writing. (Actually, it was about coffee, then writing).

I needed to write in my journal, and I needed to write my next book.

We've recently been made aware that there have been a few binding problems within the pages of The Shearer's Wife. These will be very few.

Check out this beauty! I was lucky enough to be given it by a friend yesterday. I've fallen in love with the old keys and the noise they make. We think the white paint on there is whiteout.

Yes, you read that correctly! There are new things afoot for me during 2021.

BUT! First, before I talk about that, Booktopia, the WONDERFUL people over at Booktopia are searching for Australia's Favroute Book...

Happy New Year, everyone! Three days in already.

Have you started to reassess your life, write down those New Year's resolutions?

How was your Christmas? I hope you had a special day.

Well, what a year, huh?

Oh my gosh! So many questions as to whether there is going to be a sequel to Red Dirt Country!

I've always told my kids that "if we don't share our stories, then how can we help people?"

I've got quite a personal post today. A post about anxiety, heartache, discovery and in the end, immense satisfaction.

I love the 'new feels' of starting a new book. It's exciting, fun, and the possibilities are endless. Trouble is, those feelings don't always hang around.

I'm really excited that my 15th novel is coming out in early November. I know I say this often, but if you'd told me 11 years ago that I would write one novel, let alone 15, I'm not sure I would have ever believed you!