I have loved writing and books all my life. I have been a voracious reader since I was a child, and experimenting with my own words was the next logical step! I wrote my first full-length manuscript when I was a teenager, which gave me the writing bug! Since then, I have published both fiction and non-fiction articles in a range of publications such as Outback magazine, and have written a number of short stories which have won competitions. I have begun to explore children's writing over the last couple of years, and I love being able to create stories that inspire children to be readers.

I have loved the Japanese language and the country of Japan since I first visited with my father when I was 16. My grandfather was stationed in Japan during his service in the Korean War and I have recently taken my own children to visit the beautiful country, which makes them the fourth generation of our family to stand on those shores. Visiting Japan, you can't help but be whisked into a world of stories and myths. But the impetus for writing Shifters came from a discussion with my daughter, who was only 7 at the time. She is also an avid reader and wanted to read my historical fiction novel, Lament, but I told her it was a book for adults. We agreed that I would write a story that she could read instead, and Shifters was born!

Of course! I think all writers are constantly thinking about their next book! I have been writing another story for younger readers, a pirate story, based in a sea-side Australian town. Now that I've started writing for children, I am loving exploring this side of my storytelling.

I have been a teacher for almost 20 years and even though it can be a tough job at times, bringing the love of reading and writing to my students is something I still love to do! I have also been lucky enough to teach Japanese over the past few years, which has been such a fun change. I am fortunate to currently be a Learning Specialist at my school, which means that I am able to support other teachers as well as students. I have managed to squeeze in some writing over the years, in between work and being a mum to my two fabulous kids!

Writing can often be a lonely and frustrating endeavour, which makes it even more important to find your people who understand and love writing as much as you do! The flip side of this is that often writing can also be joyous and full of fun, so enjoy it and break through the imposter syndrome that seems to envelop most writers!

I am inspired by the beautiful places that I have visited...and even those that I dream of visiting. Sometimes just sitting still outside in the fresh air can be inspiring...it gives me the time and space to think. Time to think sometimes feels like a rarity!

If I have some spare time, I love to curl up with a book and cup of strong tea. But I also love heading out for a walk to clear my head, which can often end at a local cafe. Ballarat has some beautiful places to walk and some fabulous cafes! I also keep up with studying Japanese, so I am often watching a Japanese TV show or with my head in the language books. Picking favourite books is like picking your favourite child.....impossible! But some very loved ones are Captain Corelli's Mandolin, The Light Between Oceans, The Good People and Tom Lake. My favourite children's novels are The Dog Runner by the fabulous Bren Macdibble and Katrina Nannestad's We Are Wolves.

Instagram: @ruralvicwriter

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