id: A Novel follows a psychologist haunted by her father’s past who seeks to discover if humans have a choice over their path in life or if it is predetermined at birth. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?

I think this is the hardest question. It’s a bit like asking, where do ideas come from? I’ve always been interested in the notion or concept of truth, but more as an abstract concept. What is it, what does it mean and how it can be usurped to have multiple meanings? That it’s almost impossible to understand the truth until we’re able to get inside someone’s head. It may sound a little paranoid, but we’re ambiguous by nature. It’s partly a self-defence mechanism and partly a lack of confidence, but we seldom say what we mean because we never know how it will be taken.

To be really honest with another person is a massive leap of faith and an incredibly brave thing to do. So when you combine that with the idea that opposing forces construct our psyche, I think you have the essence of a really interesting idea.

I’ve always loved the notion that right and wrong are really invented constructs to protect society and dependent on what society believes will determine what constitutes right and wrong behaviour. Imagine if these constructs didn’t exist.

Each of the main characters have a rich backstory and complex personalities fitting for a psychological thriller. What was your writing process to ensure you captured the essence of the characters?

I’m not sure I have a writing process, I just felt that every character deserves more than being painted as a black and white cardboard cut out. Every person we come across in life is neither good nor bad, we’re all shades of grey. Some of us skew towards a different shade, but I think it’s important to understand why we do the things we do before we judge. Take Frank, he’s a total psychopath, but it’s not his fault. He knows he’s different and wants to understand why. It’s important to recognise that he’s not bad, in one sense, as in he’s not acting in a consciously malevolent way that goes against what he believes, more so he’s just doing what comes naturally. Plus I didn’t want single dimensional characters that are there to drive the story, if they don’t have something to add, they don’t get to be in the book.

What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book, and what questions did you want to leave readers with when they finished the novel?

Truth, understanding, compassion. Plus there’s a lot of biblical references in there. I think the biggest question I’d like to leave readers with is, who am I? If you can self evaluate and understand yourself a little better, I think the world will be a better place. If you know yourself, it means you can change.

What is the next book that you’re working on and when can your fans expect it out?

I’ve got a few ideas. Another is based on similar themes, about truth, what it means etc. But I’m currently working on a comedy. Id was pretty dark and I felt I needed something light to work on. It does still cover some pretty heavy themes, but with humour.

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