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Total books written: 6
Ages of readership:
Most typical wordcount per book:

Countries published in: Australia

Movie rights, merchandise or other exciting offshoots: None yet!

Title of Featured Book: Spin The Bottle
Blurb: A game of Spin the Bottle sends Jessi's life
>spinning in unexpected directions. SOS messages, hockey sticks, Dave and
>missing neighbours all keep Jessi guessing.

Place where your book is set: Imaginary street, remarkably like my own!

Genre(s):Mystery, humour

Extract from an independent review:

Reviewer: Jenny Mounfield
>Publication: Pass it On emagazine (full review can be read on my website)
>Review Date 17/10/05
>
>"Spin the bottle has it all: action, sport, humour, mystery and romance.
>Action, action, action. I love plots that move, and this one never stops.
>The mystery is original and kept me guessing. The characters are well
>developed.
>For anyone who loves a good whodunit, Spin the Bottle is sure to please."

What's the inside info about your life as a writer?
I like to write early in the morning as my brain turns to mush by
>lunchtime! I have three kids who are the inspiration for a few of my
>stories
>(Dead Giveaway in particular and my daughter is on the cover of Spin the
>Bottle). I like to think I'm organised but it's kind of organised chaos!

Do you have another job as well as being a writer?

I'm an audiologist - which is someone who works with hearing impaired
>people.

Why do you love to write?

I love words and I like wacky things, so I combine the two and bizarre mysteries usually are the result.

What inspired you to write your book (or series which includes this book)

Hockey is my fav sport and I wanted to raise its profile so I wrote a
>mystery about a couple of hockey kids getting into trouble. The kids I coach
>inspired me to write this one.

What surprised you during research, writing or publishing of this book?
How difficult it was to describe certain hockey jargon. I mean who knows
>what a jink is, other than someone who plays the game! The other surprising
>thing was trying to get all the loose threads of the story to tie together
>and make sense. This plot is a little more complicated than my other
>mysteries so it was tougher to get to 'work'.

If students are doing assignments on this book, what special insight into
symbolism, metaphors, choice of title, characters or research can you
provide:

I love titles and this whole story sprung from the words 'Spin the
>Bottle'. It's a favourite game of pre-teens and teenagers and I thought a
>title like Spin the Bottle would interest this age group - but how could I
>turn it into a story, or better yet, a mystery? Perhaps a game of spin the
>bottle would involve the discovery of an SOS message written on the label of
>the bottle. And that's where the story began.

Secret writing tip for students:

Read, read, read. Play with words, both on paper and in your mouth -
>it's
>amazing how one simple word can inspire a story idea.

Personal pet peeves:

When I can't find the right word. When you know what you've written
>isn't
>quite right, but you can't get the correct words. I can't leave something
>until it feels right and I can't move on with the story. Very frustrating!

When you were aged 8 to 15, what job(s) did you think you would have (if not a writer):

A teacher, a radio announcer, a rock singer and a journalist

What you're working on next: My next mystery is a story called 'The Death
>Club'. I've plotted it, just need to get into the writing bit...

Are you available for paid school visits at ASA rates?: I do
>school visits, but do not do them through any approved organisation.

Are you blue-card approved to conduct school visits in Qld:

Are you available for free school visits in your local area during book launch months?: Only if I can sell my books when I visit.

Is your computer/internet connection set up to do online chats?: No

Do you speak/webchat in any languages other than English?: No