What genre/s do you write in?

Science Fiction and Fantasy.

What genre/s do you mostly read?

Mainly Science Fiction and Fantasy. But I will read all sorts of books if the topic/concept interests me. (I love a good fight scene!)

What book are you reading at the moment?

Hollowpox by Jesscia Townsend and also Amari and the Night Brothers by B.B. Alston and I just ordered Wings of Ebony by J. Elle

As a writer, are you a plotter or a pantser or somewhere in between?

Oh, most definitely somewhere in between. I start off with a basic outline (1 page). Then I breakdown the outline onto post it notes with a sentence of what main event(s) occur in each chapter. (I give myself around 8 pages per chapter.) I'll write up a few character profiles and then I start writing. After a few chapters I will review my outline and rework it if required. (Often my characters will take the story in a direction I didn't imagine.) I'll review the outline at the half-way point and usually by this stage I know how the story will end. I then rework my outline with the ending front of mind. And that's Draft One. Then the real work begins! I probably add around 20k between draft one and draft two. I won't tell you how many drafts I do... (hint: it's a lot)

What’s your writing routine – if you have one?

I work full time and I have a fairly long commute. I've discovered that I write best on the train (No distractions, such as the TV or cleaning and I don't touch my phone because that is a giant distraction!). After I have plotted up my novel and I have my chapter breakdown, I write by hand in a hard cover notebook. With my headphones on (well-loved music playing) I find I can get perhaps half a chapter (3-4 pages) written per one hour train trip.

What’s your favourite writing food and drink?

Definitely Coffee. No question.

Chocolate too. And during the lockdown in Melbourne I discovered a new vice - Magnum tub ice-cream.

What’s the most useful writing advice you’ve been given?

Keep writing. And write what you want to read.

Be kind.

What’s your writing goal for the next twelve months?

I have the third book of my Stones of Power series that I am editing at the moment. I plan to draft up book four. (And finish writing the second Toni Delle adventure).

Who would you most like to read your book as an audiobook?

I love this question! Absolutely Tiny Fey, Ryan Reynolds, Amy Poehler, Patrick Stewart, David Tennant, Tom Ellis, Catherine Tate, or Betty White. Mainly because I could listen to all of them read anything for hours! And I know they would get the attitude of my main characters just right *chef's kiss​*.

What words of advice would you give an aspiring author?

Don't give up.

It is hard... really hard.

Not the writing or the editing or the endless waiting. Not the self-promotion or the late nights or the endless rereading. It's the whole package. It's hard. It's exhausting. There's no instant satisfaction. You just have to find what brings you joy and keep going. If it's something you really want to do, then do it. Keep reading, keep writing, keep going.

Any final words for potential readers or writers? 

If writing is something you really want to do. Do it. Don't let anyone tell you that you can't. Just keep going.