Welcome

​

If you haven’t picked up on the fact by now, and just

to state the obvious, I am an author.

​

I released my debut novel in December of 2023.

It is a fiction novel, about Covid

lockdown in Melbourne. It’s called Banksia Close.

I also have three other books written, but they are not

ready, and given the current nature of the content,

I chose to focus on Banksia Close for my first

release.

​

Conventional wisdom currently says that authors

should be blogging.

​

This is easy for every other form of writing except fiction.

​

So, what do most fiction authors blog about?

​

From my admittedly limited research (the internet is a BIG place), most fiction authors write about... writing.

​

Why?

​

Readers, as far as I am aware, are not interested in the writing process, or the writing journey. Frankly, after an English Literature degree where I had to write multiple essays on the topic, I’m not interested either, even if I do love a good book review.  

​

As an avid reader however, I can say that I am interested in the research and motivations of my favourite writers, as well as their inspiration. That is what you will get here. An honest journey that details the lengths I will go to in the name of research, in the name of my art. When you read these posts before embarking on the novel, it will be exhilarating to see where it goes. If you read them after, it’s fun to see where it all came from. It’s a win/win for you. I go to some interesting places when I write my books, and there is no telling where that might be. There is no theme. There is no pattern. There is no set plan.

​

And there lies the problem. Blogs are supposed to have a ‘theme’ (so I’m told).

​

Can’t do it. Sorry. Writers are fucked up people, who often drink a little too much, swear at inappropriate times, and generally don’t give a damn about anything but shutting everyone out and getting lost in their own twisted heads (or maybe that’s just me).

​

Then it hit me.

​

All the blogs that I have read about ‘blogging’ are talking about profit. They want to sell something, promote something, earn a living to quit their mundane jobs, to be set free to go to Indian Ashrams…… or Bali….or whatever.

​

All I really want is to reach people with my books, and whilst I’m hoping that the books will earn me some kind of (I’m sure) meager living, the blog posts in themselves, don’t have to directly earn me anything.

​

I personally also kind of like the idea of writing a blog for no other reason than hopefully connecting with my readers. It’s nice and organic. I don’t like marketing. Hate advertising. I mute them on television and throw my tablet across the room when my YouTube videos get interrupted because I am too cheap to pay for a subscription. In short, I am critical of anyone trying to make a buck off my attention. If you can relate, then you might like me.

​

So, there you have it. Here, you will find a blog about the inner construction of my novels, and a shop to buy signed copies. If I do say so myself, I’m a pretty interesting person, with a lot of left-field perspectives which I owe to a rather abstract and bizarre upbringing (a story for another time). As such, you may find what you would expect to find on a blog that is not trying to sell to you: just a set of random posts which, if they seem interesting to you, might lead you to be interested in the book and how they relate.

​

I love a good open relationship, and I don’t need many. Just a few. In return, I promise to always ensure my work is professionally edited, well-written, and thought-provoking. I won’t insult your intelligence, since having my own insulted is one of my biggest pet peeves. If I treat you with respect and write something you like, perhaps you will do me a solid and tell someone about it, or leave a review. In this way, no one is being manipulated and everyone is following their own voice (which is as it should be).  

Most of all, I enjoy the prospect of staying above the fray, reading interesting writing, and freeing myself from the dregs of the rabbit hole. If this sounds like you, then you might just be one of my favourite people.

​

You’re already a true fan.

​

I love to hear from my readers, and I’m a sucker for a good debate. I don’t do newsletters, since I have nothing to annoy you with, and I’m not a prolific poster (around once a month), so subscribing will not get your inbox flooded. If you are like me and an anti-subscriber (I have nil, despite the number of blogs I follow), I will respond to comments, and I LOVE emails. It’s about as romantic as it gets these days, and who doesn’t love that? Reach out, and I promise to reply. You are valuable to me, because writing books isn’t easy mate – especially when you have four little hellions under the age of 8 to raise, and I don’t just do it for me. It is also interesting to hear other people’s stories, and connect on a personal level. Everyone has a story inside them, and inspiration from readers is often better than anything you stumble upon yourself.

​

Kudos for finishing this post when there is flashier seduction elsewhere. You must be truly unique.

​

Hoping to hear from you soon.

​

Much love.

​

C.L.

​

xo

​