I've been writing since I was a child and I have no intention of stopping any time soon!

I have lots of writing and publishing experience behind me but this is my first work of fiction. I didn't have any real plan for my first novel, no character outlines, plots or timelines, I started to write and the story appeared out of nowhere. The characters came to life from somewhere deep in my imagination and sometimes, from my real life experiences.

I am committed to social justice and have been a community advocate for many years, values that I think shine through in my writing - I couldn't write about Australia without including Aboriginal characters and the history of white settlement. The issues I believe, are approached gently and respectfully to help readers to understand the truth about our land - Captain Cook did not 'discover' Australia!

It wasn't straightforward to write Aboriginal characters as I am a white Australian. I fully support Aboriginal writers and I also want to see more white writers sensitively including Aboriginal characters. After much searching, I was pleased to receive cultural guidance from very generous people who identify as Adnyamathanha, the traditional owners and custodians of the land that comprises the Flinders Ranges. I thank them.  Our history must not be sanitised!

I hope you will enjoy my first work of literary fiction, Bute Creek.