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Thoughts for the Day!

A reflection on how we change over time, as evidenced by our reactions to place: http://zenashapter.com/blog/time-changes-our-interpretation-of-place/

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A Romantic 2025 Manly Writers’ Festival! #ManlyWF2025

This weekend I was at the 2025 Manly Writers’ Festival, talking on a panel, presenting a workshop, enjoying book signings, literary trivia, mingling with readers, and more! It was so much fun! I also learnt a little about myself as a writer. While on the panel, I had the pleasure of talking about romance in speculative fiction, along with the talented Amy Hutton (who has a paranormal romance…

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How history and a recent trip to Italy inspired some recent edits for my upcoming release, 'When Dark Waters Burn'!

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The Literary History of My Hometown, Bournemouth UK

The fascinating literary history of my childhood home of Bournemouth – Tolkien, Shelley, Stevenson, Tolstoy, and more!

One of the things I miss most about living in the UK is its visual history. Growing up there was a time-travelling adventure – never far from a castle, stately home, strange mound in the ground or stone circle. Here in Australia, I recently bushwalked all around Sydney’s southern Middle Harbour, enjoying its leafy foreshore tracks, mangroves, sandbanks and creeks, all the way from Spit Bridge…

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Start Your Own Book Club / Writing Group!

Everyone should write. There, I’ve said it. Writing is so liberating and cathartic. It allows you to explore your thoughts and feelings, as well as those of others. With it you can imagine the future, and delve into the trenches of the past. Writing can be an escape, it allows you to create insightful or expressive art, and it can incite connection with others, if you choose to share your…

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I'm a local hero! Thank you, @TheTawnyFrogmouth

Wow, thank you to The Tawny Frogmouth magazine for such a breathtaking interview in this month’s issue, ‘Local writing hero is an inspiration for living a better life’. I feel seen! I have always felt great empathy for those around me, whether it’s my community, writing tribe, friends or family. So if I notice that something needs changing, and no one else is taking action to make change, I try…

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How Editing & Mentoring Can Help You Write A Book!

How I had the privilege of assisting an incredible 10-year-old, Roy Mahajan, on his quest to write a children’s book!

Over the years, I’ve mentored scores of writers on their quests to write or finish writing a book. Recently, I had the privilege of assisting an incredible 10-year-old, Roy Mahajan, on his quest to write a children’s book. His main character Jason dreams of one day becoming a full-time detective, so he starts by helping anyone he can with their problems – solving cases along the way. Things don’t…

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Making Money With Emotion – Author Interview!

What better way to start the year than with a fabulous author interview! The Hybrid Author podcast interviews industry professionals on all aspects of forging a career as a hybrid author: writing across genres, mixing writing styles, publishing all ways and getting comfortable marketing your books. This week saw the release of its 109th episode, and in it host Joanne Morrell interviews me! We…

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A Cinematic Update of 2023!

My 2023 expressed through film!

Every year has its ups and downs. Every turn of the globe gives us celebrations to enjoy and commiserations to endure. It’s the same for us all. In the interests of inspiring others with positivity, however, I tend to share more of my celebrations than commiserations, and this year I had lots of inspiration to share! On video! My latest video is this brief round-up of my 2023 releases: Each…

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Making Mistakes & Enjoying Stress! #Characterisation

Have you ever noticed how some people experience emotion outwardly, and others inwardly? I noticed this most recently as a parent, supporting my son and daughter through important exams. One of them took exams as cool as a cucumber, the other almost threw up with nerves, though I knew both of them felt the pressure equally.  It brought back memories of taking exams myself. I was an…

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Morning Praise! #LoveEditing

Waking up to praise… Who doesn’t like hearing good things about their work, especially first thing in the morning. Yesterday, I woke up to find a wonderful testimonial in my Inbox, from a client whose novel I recently edited. Big smiles all day! I love editing manuscripts – helping other writers by using my decades of knowledge about story and, specifically, how to write them. I enjoy seeing…

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Food Poisoning for 6 days! #CharacterDevelopment

I recently had food poisoning for six days, and it taught me a thing or two about life. For the first couple of days, I tried not eating much and sticking to plain foods, but my symptoms got worse. I had tests. The doctor advised me not to eat at all for 48 hours. I did, and after 36 hours I improved. Yay! For the next couple of days, I only ate bread and water (with electrolytes). It was pretty…

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The Value of the Teenage Mind! #MYAL

Last week, I gave a talk at the 2023 Mosman Youth Awards in Literature about the value of the teenage mind. Thank you Mosman Library and Mosman Council for organising the awards night! As judge of the Senior Prose section, I wanted young writers to realise that their ideas, thoughts and feelings were good enough to form the basis of any story they wanted to write. They didn’t always have to write…

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Podcast Interview: Australian Book Lovers

Thank you Australian Book Lovers for featuring me on your amazing podcast! @AustralianBooks @AustralianBookLovers #Loveozya #lovebooks

Australian Book Lovers supports and promotes Australian authors, believing that there’s nothing better than curling up with a good story. Their podcast is a mix of literary news, interviews, readings, discussions and contemplations. There’s also a handy search engine on their website, which helps you discover your next fantastic read! After all, it’s the imagination of passionate readers that…

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Monsters Are Metaphors! #StorytellingOverTime

The next in my series of #StorytellingOverTime posts – how monsters are metaphors for the dynamics of society...

No matter how many monstrous creatures, villains or plagues we create in our imaginations, they are first and foremost reflections of what we most fear about society. Our evolving world might influence their shape and form over time, but they are still metaphors for our collective fears. Thus the 1830s folklore of ‘Spring-Heeled Jack’ personified the frightening urban world of Victorian…

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The Power of Love & Betrayal! #StorytellingOverTime

The next in my series of #StorytellingOverTime posts – how love confounds us and inspires us...

Our desire to be loved drives us into relationships, families and communities – but not always the right ones. There may be predatory people waiting to take advantage, or we may simply believe deeper connections exist that don’t. Either way, when we open ourselves up to emotional connections with others, we risk becoming vulnerable to betrayal or disappointment. Stories have been told about this…

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Fear of the Unknown, Fear of Yourself! #StorytellingOverTime

The next in my series of #StorytellingOverTime articles – about the wilderness, and what it can tell us about ourselves...

Destination: no idea, Belize 2004 As a fervent traveller, I know from experience just how much travelling into the unknown has the power to transform. Through it, you can test your skills and wit, face dangers of both the natural world and human kind, and you can return with greater wisdom and self-knowledge. Many times have I landed in a new country with only a backpack and a good heart, unsure…