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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Is there a sequel for Old Magic?

There is not a sequel for Old Magic. When I finished writing Old Magic I felt strongly that Kate and Jarrod had resolved all their difficulties and were very happy, so I moved on to writing the Guardians of Time trilogy, which took three years to complete.

Is there going to be a fourth volume in the Guardians of Time Trilogy?

I think it is very important for an author to know when to end a novel. Having said that, I have had many requests for a fourth volume and I am considering the idea very carefully. While I have no plans at present, I will not discount the possibility of continuing the series in one way or another. The possibilities are endless.

How did I find an agent?

I looked at a list of agents recommended by a professional writers’ organisation called the New South Wales Writer’s Centre and selected three agents that handled young adult fiction. I sent them each the first 30 pages of my finished manuscript along with a covering letter and a brief one-page Synopsis. One agent replied quickly, informing me that my manuscript could be read for a fee, with no guarantees and no feedback on the story. I declined as I wasn’t confident that the manuscript would actually be read. The second had closed their books and were not taking on any new clients, and the third loved what he read and asked to see the rest of the book. After reading it, he signed me up. I’m still with this agency today.

Where do I get my inspiration?

I am inspired by music, photographs and nature. When I need to be motivated I listen to dramatic, moving music. It works all the time. I also love the feel of strong wind, the spray from a fierce ocean, the sight of a storm hammering the horizon. The power of raw nature feeds my imagination. Looking at unusual photos of people, or places I’ve never been before also get my thought processes fired up. Photographs, especially close ups of people, tell their own stories.

What inspired me to take up writing in the first instance?

I’ve always been a big reader, an involved reader. I get swept up in the story and feel aligned with the characters. Writing seemed like a step I needed to take. One day I had an idea to give it a try, and I thought, why not? I decided I’d test myself by writing a romance novel. Six weeks later I had 55,000 words. It was a dreadful book, but that was beside the point. I loved the experience so much I was hooked.

How did you get the idea for Old Magic?

I was at a family picnic on Dorrigo Mountain with friends. My children and theirs were walking across a field towards us when a mist rolled in behind them. The sight was mystical and the idea came to me to write a book set in a rainforest with a boy and girl who could do magic.

Why do you like writing fantasy?

Fantasy allows me to stretch not only my own imagination, but everyone who reads my books. Fantasy can combine many different genres. The writer is only limited by the rules she or he sets.

What writers have influenced me?

Some of the best young adult writers in the world are here in Australia. In my early writing days I was influenced by Brian Caswell, John Marsden and James Maloney.

Name one living person you admire the most.

I would have to say Nelson Mandela because his wisdom, courage and determination are beyond measure, and when he speaks, he breaks through all barriers.

What was it like growing up in Australia?

I grew up on two different farms. The first lined the banks of the Hawkesbury River. My older sister and brothers and I used to swim in the river almost every day. There was an incredible sense of freedom on this property. I can still recall it, even though I was very young when we moved. The farm in Windsor was expansive and full of wildlife. I remember my brothers trying to catch lizards and birds and possums. The second property didn’t have the natural beauty of the river property and I found the isolation from close neighbours here a little lonely. In general, Australia is a very outdoorsy, sports-loving country. Most children enjoy an active outdoor life involving many different sporting and recreational activities.

Has your childhood influenced the way you write?

Probably. Living away from close neighbours and friends, I found refuge and friendship in the books I read.

Your books are both historical and fantasy. Why did you choose to write using both?

I have a love of history and my favourite genres are historical fiction and fantasy. I found combing the two very satisfying.

Do you plan, or make the story up as you go along?

Before I start writing, I spend weeks planning, researching and getting to know my characters. I want to know where they come from, what they look like, where they live, what their families are like and how they react to different situations. My plan might change as the story starts to unfold, but generally it ends at the same place.

When you write your books, which come first, the stories or the characters?

My characters always come first. It is only when I have developed a strong visual image of them that the story line starts to generate.

Are any real-life scenarios incorporated into your books?

Undoubtedly, there will be some aspects of my personal life that find their way into my novels, but I don’t purposefully incorporate real-life scenarios. When I am writing an historical scene, I try to be as accurate as possible, and this could mean aspects of real life will be called for.

As an adult, what kinds of books do you like to read now?

I still like reading young adult books and do so when I have the time. I think they cross all barriers and have wonderful things to say. I also enjoy novels by Tim Winton, Michael Chrichton, Barbara Erskine, Fiona Mcintosh, Nicholas Evans and Jane Smiley.

Have you ever had anything published other than your novels?

Many years ago, I had an article published in a writer’s magazine about writers using word processors verses writing by hand. About the same time, I had a book review win first prize and a short story come second in various competitions. In 2002, I contributed a short story called The Star to the UK War Child Anthology called Kids Night In, published by HarperCollins in July 2003.

Where do you write your books?

I have an office in my home that was once my daughter Danielle’s bedroom. It is right at the front of the house and looks across the road to a bush reserve. It’s a lovely, bright and airy room in a quiet neighbourhood. Generally, the loudest sounds are those made by the birds in the front garden and the tall gum trees across the road. A few years ago there were Koala Bears in the trees there, but with the increased number of new houses in the area, the Koala Bears have had to find a more suitable location.

What kind of books can we expect from you in the future?

More fantasy, more history-based novels, more time-travel, contemporary books set entirely in the present, and stories that are true to life and close to the heart. The future is very exciting.

How many more books do you intend on writing?

I can’t give you a set figure because the future is an unknown quantity. What I can tell you is that I will be a happy person if I can continue writing every day of my life.

Which books of yours did you enjoy writing most?

So far, the book I enjoyed writing the most was The Key. This is because by the time I came to write the third book of the trilogy, I knew my characters so well it was an absolute joy to write their story.

Your technique of writing in different perspectives is very unique, what gave you this idea?

The idea came from a series of experiments I performed when I first began writing. I toyed with different styles, points of views and tenses to see what worked best for me. I liked the way first person perspective allowed the reader right inside the character’s head. Unfortunately, first-person point of view is very restricting in what action you can show the reader, so I tried switching perspectives from one character to the other. This may sound simple, but it can be tricky. You have to make sure your characters’ voices don’t sound too similar.

How do you think of all the different powers for the characters in the Guardians of Time trilogy?

One at a time! There’s no logical method, or techniques that made it easy, though choosing the different powers for the characters was a lot of fun. The main consideration was to make the power fit the character’s personality, who they were or represented.

What’s the best thing about being a writer?

I enjoy the independence and flexibility it affords. I also get an immense satisfaction when the novel is complete. It’s an amazing feeling.

Why should children switch off videogames and pick up a book?

I think there is a time and place for both in a child’s life, but I believe nothing can fire up the imagination more than a good novel, especially one whose characters stay with you long after the last page is turned.

Teen fiction today seems to be more explicit in its subject matter than in the past. What are your feelings on this?

I think as long as the subject matter is handled tactfully there should be no subject matter that can’t be written about. I think the author has to be comfortable with what they’re doing and not writing solely for the sake of sensationalism.

Are there any subjects about which you would never write?

I can’t think of any. It all depends on the novel, the characters, and what is called for. There should always be a reason.

Have you ever been to another author’s book-signing as a fan? If so, who and when was it?

A few years ago I went to a book-signing of Australian Olympic Swimming Champion Shane Gould. She had written an autobiography and was signing in my local bookshop. I met her and we chatted for a couple of minutes and she signed my book. Shane Gould is about my age and has always been someone I admired.

Have you ever had any unusual objects or letters sent to you by a fan?

In 2005 there was a Grade5/6 class in New South Wales that worked on The Named for a whole term. The class wrote, acted and filmed a play based on the Prologue. They also made numerous letters, posters, drawings, stories and trinkets based on the novel. They even had a party dressed up in characters from the book. Their wonderful teacher, Mr Kenneth Ogilvie, filmed everything and sent me a copy on DVD, as well as a box full of items the children had created, including their stories and ornaments. One of the students even made a sphere out of blue-painted Styrofoam!

Would you consider writing a book for adults?

I would consider it, but I don’t have any plans for one at present. Even though my books are labelled ‘young adult’ I receive many emails from adults of all ages who tell me how much they enjoy reading my books.

Where can I buy your books?

The answer should be, at all good bookstores, but if you can’t find what you’re looking for on your bookstore shelves, it might be necessary to ask for the book to be ordered in. You could also try one of the many online bookstores.

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