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What are you most proud of in your personal life?
Over the past year or so, I’ve spent a lot of time getting to know myself. Who I am, where my limits are and the kind of life I want to lead. I also discovered ‘The Secret’ and so far, appreciating life and keeping my dreams and goals in my mind on a daily basis has seen me meet more new (and fantastic!) friends in my new Country in 6 months than I previously had in more than a year, I also met my now publisher after winning a seat at her workshop in a lucky draw at a networking lunch and I’m blissfully happy with my life every day because I take the time to appreciate the little things (like the calmness of a clear spring morning as I walk my dog).
What books did you love growing up?
I was a huge horror nut growing up and couldn’t get enough of the Goosebumps series by R.L. Stine. I also read a lot of Christopher Pike and as I grew older, Anne Rice. I love the way she changed the perception of vampires from these dark monstrous creatures hidden in shadows to almost sad beings who have witnessed so much in their long lives and lost even more.
Who is your favorite author?
I have to say, despite my love of horror, I’m a huge fan of Nicholas Sparks. He has such a heart wrenching way of writing love stories that are so upliftingly beautiful, yet they always have an element that is so achingly tragic. A box of tissues is always a must have accompaniment for one of his books.
What genre of books do you adore?
I love a good thriller but will always choose a good romantic story with a strong female character. It’s my way of reassuring myself that strong independent women do have happy endings with perfect men who aren’t intimidated by them.
What book should everybody read at least once?
The Bride Stripped Bare is such a great insight into the internal struggle that all human beings go through between who they truly are and who society thinks they should be. It helped give me the courage to forget what society thinks and just do what makes me happy. We only live once.
What do you hope your obituary will say about you?
That I fulfilled my dreams to live a full life, full of true experiences and inspired at least one person to do the same.
Location and life experiences can really influence writing, tell us where you grew up and where you now live?
I was born and grew up in Queensland in Australia in a moderate sized coastal area called the Sunshine Coast, with sandy surf beaches, sunshine almost all year round and a laid back touristy feel. To be honest, I couldn’t wait to get out, which leads most people to think I’m a little crazy but for someone who doesn’t know how to surf, only likes sand when it stays in the hotel room on vacation and doesn’t end up all through your car and who dreams of nights at the theatre and seeing the world, it was suffocating. When everyone knows everyone and they are all living the same lives, it makes it hard to step out on your own and be your own person without attracting judgement. I started to find that each time I travelled I grew more as a person, until eventually I just didn’t fit the Sunshine Coast at all. My career had plateaued with no opportunity to go any further despite me being a valued employee, I’d even been trying for two years to move to a larger city in Australia with no luck. Now, living in Vancouver, Canada, I’m living the metropolitan life I always wanted, in a dream job that took me just three months to secure, surrounded by people who accept rather than judge and I’ve published my first book! The whole experience too of being away from the influences of my parents and family has given me the freedom to be who I am, to only worry about making myself happy rather than those closest to me. And you know what? My parents couldn’t be more proud.
What is hardest – getting published, writing or marketing?
Despite my media background and current role in the field I have to say marketing. I have no trouble marketing external products but am the worst for marketing myself. I only recently reached a stage where I will allow myself to be proud and open about my successes, but I still have a lot of trouble marketing myself without feeling like I’m holding a big sign saying ‘Look at me, look at me!!’.
Do you plan to publish more books?
In my mind, ‘Daughter of the Moon’ has always been part of a series and the more I wrote, the more that series started to take form. So stay tuned… ☺
What else do you do to make money, other than write? It is rare today for writers to be full time…
I think initially, yes, it’s hard to make enough from book sales to not work. I currently work full time in radio promotions but it’s my goal to turn writing into a full time career that will allow me to travel and learn more about the topics I write about such as European mythology, religion and history. So help a writer out and buy my book… pretty please?
What do Jesus Christ, a Greek Goddess, and a thousand-year-old Vampyre have in common? This intriguing and thought provoking story will make you question everything you think you know about myth and religion. Chhaya, a vampire born over a millennium ago, discovers she is the descendant of an ancient bloodline-the blood of Christ. As the power in her awakens, Chhaya must use her new gifts as the Daughter of the Moon to fight against the corrupt coven leader Khai in order to protect the doors to heaven and hell and prevent the end of days on earth. Whether a fan of fantasy, religious theories, or mythology, you'll be inspired to ask what is good and what is evil.
Buy Now @ Amazon
Genre - Fiction Fantasy
Rating – PG
More details about the author
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