I have enjoyed writing since I very small. Even in junior primary school, I would often write stories (although these stories were generally less than a paragraph long at the time).

My first published stories were 'Kirby's Secret' and 'Last train to Kamikaze', both of which were printed in the 1996 school yearbook. I am currently working on a new version of 'Kirby's Secret', because I now have a better understanding of what really happens in child welfare cases. This means that the story can be more relevant to the reader.

Two more of my stories were published in compilations in recent years, as a result of a new annual short story competition in South Australia. The first story 'My town, my home' was printed in the 2004 compilation 'Where the Outback meets the sea', and the second story 'Journey of Love' was published in the 2005 compilation 'Voyage of Discovery'. Both were released by the Whyalla Writers Group, and copies can be purchased for $5 + $1 P&H.

In 1999, I started writing my first novel-length story. The first draft was 20 pages long with four characters but, after working on it for six years, it grew to around 150 pages, with a list of more than twenty characters. I recently submitted the sixth draft to an Australian publisher, and I am praying that they accept it. If not, I will keep trying until somebody does. I have shown the draft to a cross-section of trusted people of both genders ranging from 17 to 71, and all said that they would buy it if it gets published. I just hope the publisher enjoys it as much ...

In addition to writing, I am also employed as a children's illustrator, through Masterplan Publishing (trading as Pospon Pty Ltd). I have been illustrating books for them since 2003. I am currently working on my sixth project.

I don't think I will ever stop writing. When I sit down to work on a story, it's like I am giving my imagination permission to soar - I am creating a world that exists in my mind, and the characters become my friends as I create and explore them. It's a very powerful way of letting my inner child run rampant, and it's very relaxing. Some people garden, some play sports; I write.

I think the difference with my writing is that I am writing for myself, and if others like it, great. I won't ever change my writing to become more saleable ... the only time I will change it is to make it better.

Even though I have spent most of my life working on improving my writing, I feel that I still have a long way to go ...