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Total books written: 52
Ages of readership:
Most typical wordcount per book:

Countries published in: Australia, Canada, Spain, Portugal

Movie rights, merchandise or other exciting offshoots:

Title of Featured Book: Stormriders, book 3 of the Viking Magic series
Blurb: Oddo and Thora try to rescue an Irish boy captured by Vikings. They face dangerous challenges, and uncover secrets about themselves…Adventure and magic in a historical setting.

Place where your book is set: Viking Norway, Iceland and Ireland

Genre(s): Historical adventure and fantasy

Independent review:

'Spellbinding action packed book…heaps of new magic, strange lands to see and deep dark secrets could be unravelled. We give this book a 5/5' (Gold Coast Bulletin, 17 July 2004)

What's the inside info about your life as a writer?
I am so fascinated by storytelling that when I'm not writing, I'm reading. I borrow audio books from the library so I can 'read' even when I'm washing, ironing, cooking and cleaning. I wear a wireless headset so I can listen to the tapes all over the house. If someone in the family wants to communicate with me they have to go and turn off my tape-player first!

Do you have another job as well as being a writer?
No - writing and illustrating fill all my hours even when I'm asleep!

Why do you love to write?

Being a writer gives me the excuse to do endless and intriguing detective work. My strangest project was researching for 'Unplugged: the bare facts on toilets through the ages.' I had to find out not only what people used for toilets in other times and places, but also what they used to wipe their bottoms! But most of all I get inspired by my readers because they write and tell me how much they love my books.

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

The Vikings! All the magic that happens in the stories is true - well, the Vikings believed it was true, anyway. Vikings believed in witches, and tiny magical people who lived in the ground. They even believed their letters of the alphabet (that they called runes) had magical powers. They also led intriguing, exciting lives that gave me plenty of ideas for plots.

What surprised you during research, writing or publishing of this book?
When I write, I see the story happening like a film in my head, and I type what is happening in that 'film'. Although I always start off with a plan for a story, sometimes the characters come to life so strongly that do things I hadn't intended. In 'Stormriders' they got themselves into a dangerous situation that I hadn't planned, and it took me two weeks to work out how to rescue them!

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

To indicate that the action is taking place in a different time and place, I use subtle hints rather than long descriptive passages. I choose appropriate adjectives and similes (such as 'dry as a salt herring'), and occasionally make use of old-fashioned words. For example, in the first chapter of 'Stormriders', when an Irish boy is captured by Vikings, I use the Old Irish word 'curach' for a boat, and 'girdle' instead of 'belt'.

Secret writing tip for students:

Step into one character's skin. Using their eyes and feelings, describe events only as they would be experienced by that character.

Personal pet peeves:

There are certain words I tend to use too often - such as 'grab' and 'stare' - and I am always struggling to think of other words to use instead!

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

Believe it or not, I planned to be - and became - a maths teacher!

What you're working on next: I'm finishing a book for the Quentaris Chronicles, due for release in August 2006. Quentaris is a fantasy city. It was invented by authors Paul Collins and Michael Pryor, however they invite other authors to contribute books to the series. The Quentaris stories are nail-biting adventures, but mine is going to be very funny as well. It will probably be called 'Giants of Quentaris'. The main characters are little leprechauns.

Are you available for paid school visits at ASA rates?: Yes

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?:

Is your computer/internet connection set up to do online chats?:

Do you speak/webchat in any languages other than English?: