Q. How did your journey as an author begin?
I’ve always loved books and reading, ever since I first picked up The Witches by Roald Dahl, and the desire to write came early. As a teenager, I enjoyed crafting poems, and short sentences to try and express events I had experienced and I found great joy in that. It wasn’t until I was around 22 that the desire to craft a whole story came to me. I was on a holiday with my family on the Finniss River in South Australia and was struck by the beginnings of a plot idea that would eventually become my debut novel Widow’s Lace.
Q. Was it something you always wanted to pursue?
I think I always wanted to work with words and books. My goal was always to be a teacher of English Literature which was the first career I pursued. The drive to write full novels myself came later, and the confidence to go for it later still. But I am grateful for the journey. There is a lot of learning and self-development that goes into writing a novel and taking the time you need is invaluable.
Q. Who or what motivated you to write?
I was motivated by wanting to tell a story. When the idea of a woman living alone on the banks of a remote river came to me whilst on holiday my imagination went into overdrive. I kept imagining her world: why she was alone, why she was in such a remote location, what was the story behind this situation, and I wanted to discover the answers.
Q. How was the publishing process?
To begin with, I approached several literary agents looking for representation and received truly supportive and positive feedback. Unfortunately, as I am a new author and writing in the genre of historical fiction they felt I needed to build up my platform before they could take me on. And that’s just fine! I decided to self-publish and throw myself into the world of marketing. I have learned so much and I have been truly astonished by the overwhelmingly positive response of readers, including achieving an Amazing Best-Seller ranking.
Q. Are you self-published?
Yes!
Q. Since becoming a published author, what challenges have you faced if any?
The biggest challenge I experience is balancing my time. I run a web development company with my husband by day and work on my writing by night. Making the time to work on novel promotion and also time to be creative and plan and draft my next novels can be challenging. But I love the craft, so I make it work!
Q. Are you currently working on any new projects? If so when can we expect them to be released?
I have released two novels so far, my debut historical fiction Widow’s Lace and a crime fiction The Unsound Sister. My third novel, a return to historical fiction is currently with my editor and I hope to release it in mid- 2021. While finalizing book three, I have started the research and planning for book four, which I am very excited to get into!
Q. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
My dream is to be a represented author, working with a literary agent and publishing house. But regardless of how that journey plays out, I will still be writing! I love the process of shaping and telling a story and know that I will be doing this for a long time to come. The ultimate goal would be to create a large enough reader base to allow me to work part-time in my company and take 2 -3 days a week to just focus on my writing.
Q. What’s your favorite quote and who’s it by?
“The journey, not the arrival, matters.” T.S Eliot
Q. If you could co-author with anyone – dead or alive – who would it be?
Margaret Atwood. I adore her creativity, the breadth of stories she writes is astounding and her clarity of expression is exceptional.
Q. What is your Instagram?
