Being an avid reader inspired me to be a writer. From the time I could read, I enjoyed writing my own spin on stories, like Enid Blyton's, The Faraway Tree and The Naughtiest Girl in School. When I was twelve, my favourite novel was Richard Adam's, Watership Down. I had pet rabbits at the time, so it wasn't difficult to invent voices and story lines for them.

Unsurprisingly, I studied journalism at the University of Queensland. As an adult, rewriting fiction, I was inspired when I read Marian Keye's first novel, Watermelon. Written in a first-person conversational tone, I felt like the protagonist was talking directly to me and taking me into her confidence, like I was her best friend. After reading Watermelon, my mind was set.

Real life. Writing All the Little Things began many years ago when I was going through a separation and found myself single and raising three children. Like Friday, I delved into the murky online dating waters. That's where the similarity between me and Friday ends. I'm not a naturopath and have never had a stalker (not to my knowledge). The more I thought about my situation, the more I thought 'what if?' and the story blossomed from there. I was also intrigued by the throwing of divorce parties.

Sounds odd, but the more I researched, the more I understood why they are important for some people, as are baby showers, bachelorette parties, wakes, etc., and gathering your closest friends to celebrate/commiserate etc.

Always. In 2021, I wrote a novel called 'Lily's Little Flower Shop', about a woman who ditches her corporate career, city centric life and long-term boyfriend, to move to the southern coast and open a flower shop.

I'm now working on a related but independent story with Lily as the lead. This time, in search of her true self, Lily heads to Italy, determined to unravel the secrets of her past.

I studied journalism at university, but rather than train as a journalist/reporter, I was recruited in Sydney as an Acquisitions Editor at educational publisher, Harcourt Brace Jovanovich (since been absorbed by Pearson Education). After several years at HBJ, I transitioned to feature writing at Australian Consolidated Press (ACP), contributing to Bride to Be and Practical Parenting. For several years, I wrote a monthly column for Practical Parenting featuring my then toddler sons. I left the company soon after the birth of my third child to pursue novel writing…and I’m still going.

I've taught many writing classes, workshops, and facilitated writing retreats. Whether you're journaling, writing fiction, creative non-fiction or memoir, my advice to aspiring writers is: -

* Read widely and experiment. Step out of your comfort zone and try writing romance, sci-fi, crime, etc., until you find your groove. Same goes with POV. Do you prefer first or third POV? Second? You won't know until you try.

* The hardest part is starting. Let go of self-doubt. Write/type your daily 150/1000 words. As the saying goes, you can't edit a blank page. (Not that I would ever suggest self-editing until way along the word count.)

* Be Consistent. Write every day if you can, even if only for 15 minutes, because those new 150 words will be 150 words you didn't have yesterday.

* Persistence. Unless you're Steven King or Marian Keyes, chances are you don't have a publisher hovering over your shoulder. In addition to developing a thick skin, you must have belief in yourself. Write because you believe in yourself and your story.

* Voice. Yes, maybe there are no new stories (I doubt it). However, no one can write a story in your unique voice, with your take on a relationship, disaster, or alien invasion.

* Read authors whom you admire, their books, blogs, social media post. Engage with them. Authors love that!

I have a wide circle of author friends who inspire me with their insightful novels, blogs and social media posts. Though we don't often catch up in person, when we do, our conversations leave me feeling motivated and enthusiastic. It’s a long list, but the few I'll mention here are Dr Anita Heiss, Susannah Hardy, Andrea Barton, Rachael Johns, Allison Tait, Kate Forsyth, Jonica Newby, and Louisa Larkin.

I'm inspired by my children and mother, all of whom have appeared in my novels over the years (disguised, of course).

Real life events, trends, pop culture, and finally my two beautiful Ragdoll cats inspire me daily.

I tend to think of hobbies, as pursuits like stamp collecting, painting, playing piano, and photography, none of which I do, though I take snaps of my cats, which anyone who follows me on Instagram will know. I used to play tennis, but now, living on a ridge overlooking a very long (seven mile) beach, I walk a lot, and swim (occasionally). I try to keep our garden alive (difficult because of extreme windstorms). I belong to many online book clubs and two in person clubs, which is a lot of fun, especially as we read novels/memoirs/biographies, that I wouldn’t choose if left to my own devices. I love discovering new authors.

Re favourite books, I still love rereading Watership Down, and usually anything by Marian Keyes. I love reading Dr Anita Heiss, a particular favourite of mine is her recent historical novel, Dirrayawadha. I try to support Australian novelists whenever I can, and at the moment I’m listening to Sally Hepworth’s Mad Mabel on audible, and reading Rachael Johns, The Lucky Sisters. Loving both.

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