A: Born in Sydney, I am a fourth generation Australian married to a wonderful husband. We have three married children who have, with their spouses given us eight grandchildren between them. My very young grandchildren ‘bring more to the table’ than any career success or milestone of achievement along the way. Their energy and enthusiasm for life is infectious. Many ideas stem back to a word, an expression from innocent lips.

A: No, but I hope to create one very soon. My first book, Sharing the Joy appears on the NSW Writers’ Centre website www.nswwriterscentre.org.au in their book store. Spiggie, The Story of a Puffin should be up on the Premier’s Reading Challenge website at the beginning of November 2006. www.schools.nsw.edu.au/premiersreadingchallenge/index.htm and hopefully on The Little Big Book Club website very soon www.thelittlebigbookclub.com.au.

A: Spiggie, The Story of a Puffin is my latest work – a 32 page children’s picture book. Spiggie’s underlying theme is building positive self-esteem in children.

Spiggie is anxious about leaving the comfort of his family burrow and he battles the elements and perseveres in his preparation for the colony’s migration. He is surrounded by those who want him to succeed but others wanting him to succeed is not enough. Spiggie will only be able to master flying by flapping his own wings. Encouragement and loving support boost his confidence. Spiggie’s belief in his own ability grows until he whispers the words "I can do it". He then soars skyward as never before.

A: Spiggie should be available in most book stores or by emailing me on sharingthejoy@optusnet.com.au or Delphian Books www.delphianbooks.com.au . Also available at 8^th Australian Publishers & Authors Bookshow, Leichhardt Town Hall, Sydney on Sat-Sun 25^th & 26^th Nov 2006. RRP $14.95
Distributed by Dennis Jones & Associates, Bayswater, Victoria.

Sharing the Joy can be purchased from sharingthejoy@optusnet.com.au and also available through the NSW Writers’ Centre www.nswwriterscentre.org.au, Book Store. The RRP is $14.95

A: My first book, Sharing the Joy, took exactly 12 months from conception to book launch. A 146 page hard cover adult inspirational gift book of poetry, prose and short stories, this was a work that really had its beginnings in the heady days of my own three children’s infancy. The joy of motherhood was something I wanted to dwell upon, grow with and never forget. My senses were acutely sharpened at that time. It seemed so natural to write it down. A very time consuming but pleasurable interest was established.

A: Everyday life. An example of trigger thoughts – a three-year old neighbour comes to the side fence, stars in her eyes, with the announcement: "My kitten just had cats!" And so on. A grandchild struggles fitting planets into a boxed galaxy for a school project. "Sun, Moon and Mars" springs to the forefront of my brain. Then there is the ‘what if’ factor. Wildly colourful themes emerge. Don’t think too hard or look too closely. Ideas are right under your nose.

In a critique group I was stretched each session by having to come up with something creative for a one word or one phrase topic. "Under the house" was one – maybe I’ll share that piece later.

A: Absolutely! I become the puffin, the child. I live the trouble, the difficulty, the fearsome truth. I can only write from where I sit. It’s only my voice that I will settle for. That’s the only one I can offer – the only one that rings true.

A: I am like a bower-bird, gathering bits and pieces of information, networking wherever I can, talking to all kinds of people ….

In a formal setting, I do attend conferences, workshops, training courses. I subscribe to quite a few e-zines for authors. In particular I value "Pass It On", edited by Jackie Hosking jacket@smartchat.net.au and "Buzz Words", by Dianne (Di) Bates. www.enterprisingwords.com The NSW Writers’ Centre is my favourite point of reference. "Newswrite", the NSW Writers’ Centre Magazine is packed full of helpful articles and information. www.nswwriterscentre.org.au

A: I try to take every opportunity I can with marketing but I do not want to appear pushy. My approach is to state the facts, without exaggeration, show the book and explain where it could benefit an organisation, school, group, shop or individual. Reading and presenting my own story to children is a pure delight. I can let myself go in front of them – make the story live, the way I intended. If this is some sort of marketing then I have to say I do like marketing after all.

A: Definitely not. I can talk it up, but I can’t skite. There are of course some authors out there who find self-promotion comes easily, but there are some elements in their presentation I do not crave to follow. I just want to be me.

A: Keep my ear to the ground. Never miss an opportunity. Network, network, network. Visit book stores, libraries. Listen for messages between the words people say to you. Keep alert. Prepare for possibilities.

A: Though I believe I have educated myself in all the right methods, I have never sent out a query letter. I’ve written them in my head, but as yet I have not sent one. I have no qualms about letter writing, but since my two books were self-published, there has not been a need. One UK based publisher requested several of my manuscripts and because the approach was made from them, I simply provided a synopsis in an email and attached the ms. In the future I hope I have to put the theory I have learned into practice.

A: Networking – it was networking that led to my first publishing experience.

Important steps to publishing:

A: Enjoy the moment of success. Celebrate with family. Share the experience with all those who have encouraged you along the way. Give feedback and thanks to those who have helped… and then have another story up your sleeve.

A: My signature piece from Sharing the Joy, Tiny Wild Violet applies to all areas of life, but in particular it may help aspiring writers to press on… you’ll have to buy the book to find out!

I have several children’s stories on the go. I also have an adult novel three quarters finished. The novel is a book I am passionate about. I really want to find a good publisher who will take this story and show it to the world. After two self publishing efforts, I believe this should not be unattainable.