Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have always been very creative and after studying fashion design in my early twenties, I spent twenty years in the fashion industry as a pattern maker, production manager and designer including having my own womenswear and childrenswear labels. Needing a change, I retrained in jewellery making and created and sold my own line of sterling silver and bronze jewellery. Then I discovered a love of teaching and passed on the many skills in sewing, pattern making and jewellery making I had learned over the years to my students.
Creative writing started as a self-dare to see if I had the chops to write a manuscript. I quickly became obsessed with the craft as much as the art of writing and began taking as many courses as I could, working with a developmental editor and writing every day to improve my skills so that I could express the ideas in my head in a way that people would want to read. I am currently completing a three-year, full-time advanced diploma in applied writing .
When my first manuscript, Peak Hill, was a finalist in the 2016 Romance Writers of New Zealand Pacific Hearts Full manuscript contest, I decided that it was time to publish it. I have one more manuscript completed and currently in editing and another two partially completed.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Peak Hill was my first manuscript and while the first draft took only three months to write, I then spent another year working on it with my developmental editor both to improve the manuscript and my own writing.
In Peak Hill, I wanted to tell the story of a strong female protagonist overcoming personal tragedy, growing and finally reaching the point where she was ready for a relationship. But Peak Hill is not only a love story, it is also about relationships; not only between a couple, but also between siblings, parents and children, cousins and friends.
The story is set predominantly in rural New Zealand where the setting provides a rich backdrop for the characters.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not really, I just make sure that I write every day and I constanlty challenge myself to improve.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I enjoy New Zealand writers such as Janet Frame, Maurice Gee and Eleanor Catton. However, I try to read widely including classics and contemporary works in a variety of genres.
What are you working on now?
I’m currently editing my second manuscript, a romantic thriller called ‘Closed’ and have two to other projects partially completed.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I haven’t worked that out yet. I’m hoping it’s Awesome Books or one of their affiliates.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Not yet! I’m, new too! I’m not sure I’ll ever get off this massive learning curve!
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Write your first draft from beginning to end without stopping to edit or critique.
What are you reading now?
I like to have a few books on the go. I’m currently half-way through ‘Gone with the wind’, just finished ‘Miss Peregrines home for peculiar children’ and I am listening to ‘Pride and Prejudice’ (again for the umpteenth time) and ‘A Passage to India’ on audio books.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Just finish editing and then publish my next MS and then put all my energies into completing the next two and completing my advanced diploma.
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?
Only four? Hmmm…’The Rehearsal’ by Eleanor Catton, ‘Fool’s gold’ by Zana Bell, ‘Outlander’ by Diana Galbadon, ‘Pride and Prejudice’ by Jane Austen
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