Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Since my late teens, all I wanted to do was to write intense, fast, action-packed novels. I just had all these action scenes, and plot twists flashing into my mind, and I really wanted to share them! At that stage I was haunted with doubt. Did what I want to write make sense? Was it possible? Did it ‘feel’ real? They were real concerns for me. So I put the pen down, and knowing to my bones that being a novelist was my destiny, and set out to live the experiences I wanted to write about. I learned how to fight, and fight well, I travelled to places like Kazakhstan, Russia, throughout Europe and into South East Asia on my own, couch surfing, pretending that I was a character in my books. I wanted to know what it ‘felt’ like to be lost, alone, afraid. I pretended I was being hunted, that I was hunting someone.. and so on. It was a very significant time. Back in Sydney, I became a Private Investigator, specialising in surveillance. I learnt how to follow someone, how to avoid being detected, and how to run like hell when I did get caught! Then, wanting to hone my craft, I started working as a ghost writer, and did that for a few years before I felt ready to put my name to anything officially. It just seemed that everything I was doing was leading me toward being genuine and honest in my writing. In 2012 it was time, and ‘Against the Clock’ was born.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My book is called ‘Against the Clock’. The inspiration for the title was simple, yet complicated. I’m not sure anymore about the chronology of my thoughts, but I wanted a title which epitomised the fast pace, and timed intervals between each sub-chapter. I also wanted to create a sense of urgency with time counting down/running out, as well as the logistical aspect the clock takes on in the Prologue and Epilogue. Over all, I’m very happy with the depth and multiple meanings the title has taken on.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not really sure if they’re unusual… my writing habits are definitely seasonal! Or more accurately ‘Climate’ controlled.
In winter I love to write from my car. I take my laptop, thermos with black coffee, a bag of liquorice assortment lollies and my laptop, and head off to whatever lake, river or park strikes my fancy, and write!
In spring and autumn, I tend to do the same thing, except I have a foldable deck chair in boot, and sit outside under the shade of a tree, and write.
In summer, I stay at home, crank the air-conditioning as cold as it can get, have a pot of coffee on, rice crackers and write.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Robert Ludlum for sure. Especially in the earlier days. More recently Vince Flynn is definitely one of my bigger writing heroes. There are other writers like Andrew Peterson, Matthew Reilly and David Baldacci who also have a place in my ‘influenced me’ basket.
What are you working on now?
I’m working the sequel to ‘Against the Clock’ aptly called ‘When the clock stops’, and also working on the graphic novel adaptation/version of the prequel to Against the Clock. That is proving to be a great deal of fun.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I think I’m far from being a marketing expert. At the moment, I am relying very heavily on word of mouth and the quality of my book to promote people spreading the word. I am also involved with my readers, and potential readers through social media. I’m working on the principle, that by giving something of value, and remaining approachable and genuine, my work will sell itself. Can you tell my marketing skills need major work? haha.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Yes! The same advice I was given, and live by..
Write! And keep writing!
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Write! And keep writing!
It’s a philosophy I take into every moment of my writing. Stuck for the next part of the book, not sure what to write, don’t feel like writing, etc etc. I think it was David Morrell who once said, it’s okay to edit what you’ve written if you don’t like it, but it’s hard to edit nothing.
What are you reading now?
I tend not to read any books while I’m writing. I have ‘Rafa’ on my Kindle for the next book I’ll read. I was really excited to read the next Mitch Rapp book from Vince, but his untimely death has put a stop to that..
What’s next for you as a writer?
Once the ‘Clock/Shirin Reyes’ series is complete, I’m looking at co-writing a more sombre based-on-real-events story. Otherwise I plan to continue to write kick-ass, deadly, action-packed, thrill-ride novels!
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
1. The Parsifal Mosaic – Robert Ludlum
2. American Assassin – Vince Flynn
3. Lightning – Dean Koontz
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